Matariki stargazing course on Kāpiti Coast
Astroguiding and stargazing course on Kāpiti Coast to celebrate Matariki, 21-23 July 2023
Aotearoa Astrotourism Academy is excited to announce a special stargazing and astronomy course on Kāpiti Coast to celebrate Matariki. This course is part of the Matariki Ramaroa Festival Programme run by Māoriland.
This hands-on course is designed for stargazing enthusiasts, aspiring amateur astronomers and astrophotographers, locals interested in Matariki, and anyone who wants to have fun navigating the night sky by telescope or binoculars.
No previous experience required. Limited to 26 people only.
Who is this course for?
Do you love gazing up at the night sky?
If you enjoy stargazing and want to learn how to identify constellations and planets, and learn more about Matariki, then this practical course led by some of New Zealand’s top astronomers, is for you.
Since Matariki became a national holiday, there has been a thirst for knowledge in many communities to understand more about the stars and the night sky, and also to appreciate Te arorangi Māori.
Led by some of NZ’s leading astronomy experts, this course will inspire the local residents of Wellington, Ōtaki and the Kāpiti Coast with the beauty of the night sky, share the significance of Matariki, explain about the stars, planets and the universe, show how to use a small telescope and do some practical observing.
Participants will gain the confidence to become amateur astronomers:
- School teachers who attend will enthuse their students.
- Local iwi who attend will expand on their knowledge of Matariki.
- Amateur astronomers who attend may well want to enter Aotearoa’s thriving astrotourism industry as a night-sky guide after doing our AAA course.
- Budding photographers who attend will learn how to overcome the unique challenges of photographing celestial bodies.
What you will learn
Over a weekend, you will learn how to:
- Identify and observe constellations, planets and other celestial bodies in the Southern Hemisphere using a small telescope or binoculars
- Take photographs at night from a top Kiwi astrophotographer, Dr Steve Chadwick
- Set up and use a small telescope for night-time observations from your place
- Experience the night sky using a telescope located at a private observatory also in Te Horo
- Appreciate the significance of Matariki and Māori navigation from top Matariki astronomy expert, Dr Pauline Harris
- Share your new knowledge with others in your communities, schools and family
- Join New Zealand’s growing astrotourism industry by establishing an astroguiding business, if this inspires you.
Delivered by five expert instructors, including John Hearnshaw who established Tekapo’s Dark Sky Reserve, this Matariki course will comprise educational workshops during the day and practical observing sessions with telescopes over two evenings (weather permitting).
One instructor is local Māori astronomer and Matariki expert, Dr Pauline Harris from Massey Uni, who will weave Matariki wisdom throughout the course delivery. We also have Dr Steve Chadwick, one of Aotearoa’s leading astrophotographers also from Massey Uni, who will demonstrate the science and art of how to capture the beauty of the night sky on camera.
Unique in the world, our past courses have received exceptional acclaim for enthusing our participants and our professionalism.
Course details
Venue: The Arcus Events Centre on Arcus Rd in Te Horo (between Waikanae and Ōtaki – see https://www.arcus.kiwi.
Times: Friday 21 July 2:30 pm to 10:30 pm; Saturday 22 July 9:00 am to 10:30 pm; Sunday 23 July 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Early bird price: $325 pp (until midnight 25 June)
Standard ticket price: $425 pp (after midnight 25 June)
Number of participants: about 24 (max 26)
Programme outline: An immersive programme of lectures, workshops, demonstrations with small telescopes and cameras, and practical observing will be offered. We will also visit a private observatory in Te Horo for observing and stargazing (weather permitting)
Accommodation: If you don’t live nearby, consider local accommodations in Te Horo, Waikanae or Ōtaki. This course coincides with the Matariki Māoriland Festival in Ōtaki so local accommodation options will book out.
How to book
Book online now and enjoy the early bird price of $325 per person (incl GST) until 25 June. $425 per person after that.
Spaces are limited to 26 people, so please register today to secure your place on this one-of-a-kind course.
Registering is simple. Simply complete the online form and pay via bank transfer, when you spot is confirmed.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
| Day/Time | Module | Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| Friday
21 July 2:00 pm | Course registration opens at Arcus Kiwi Event Centre, 29 Arcus Rd, Te Horo | |
| 2:30 – 2:45 pm | Welcoming address, Arcus Kiwi Event Centre | John Hearnshaw |
| 2:45 – 3.30 pm | Introductions for participants | |
| 3:30 – 4:00 pm | Afternoon tea/coffee break | |
| 4:00 – 5:00 pm | Our place in the Universe | Nalayini Davies |
| 5:00 – 6:00 pm | How binoculars and telescopes work and how to use a telescope | John Drummond |
| 6:00 – 8:00 pm | Hangi at Arcus Kiwi Event Centre; all welcome | |
| 8:20 – 10:30 pm | Astro-Tour with telescopes: location 239 Hautere Cross Road, Te Horo (weather permitting; use own transport) and/or Panel Discussion (chaired by Gareth Davies) | Gareth Davies et al |
| Saturday 22 July 5:30 – 6:00 am | Observing Matariki rise in the dawn sky (alt 15° to NE) | All |
| 9:00 – 10:10 am | Coordinates and time in astronomy | John Hearnshaw |
| 10:10 – 10:40 am | Morning tea/coffee break | |
| 10:40 - 11:50 am | Maori astronomy and Matariki | Pauline Harris |
| 11:50 -12:50 pm | Beauty in the Stars: A Journey through the Cosmos | Steve Chadwick |
| 12:50 pm | Lunch Break | |
| 2:00 - 3:00 pm | Techniques of astrophotography | John Drummond |
| 3:00 - 3:30 pm | The astronomy equipment for you | Gareth Davies |
| 3.30 – 4:00 pm | Afternoon tea/coffee break | |
| 4:00 – 4:50 pm | Astrotourism and dark sky places in New Zealand | Nalayini Davies |
| 4:50 – 6:00 pm | Workshop: Option 1: Hands-On Astro-photography Option 2: Setting up an Astro-tourism Business | John Drummond Nalayini Davies |
| 6:00 – 8:00 pm | Dinner Break (participants make own arrangements) | |
| 8:20 – 10:30 pm | Astro-Tour with telescopes: location 239 Hautere Cross Road, Te Horo (weather permitting; use own transport) and/or Great Astro-quiz | Gareth Davies et al |
| Sunday 23 July 5:30 – 6:00 am | Observing Matariki rise in the dawn sky (alt 15° to NE) | All |
| 9:00 – 10:00 am | Naming of stars and celestial objects | John Hearnshaw |
| 10:00 – 10:30 am | Astronomy outreach - 20 tips to remember | Gareth Davies |
| 10:30 – 11:00 am | Morning tea/coffee break | |
| 11:00 – 12:00 noon | Hiding in Charles’s Tree: A Photographic Journey Around a Forgotten Constellation | Steve Chadwick |
| 12 noon – 12:45 pm | Matariki – the Pleiades | John Drummond |
| 12:45 – 2:00 pm | Lunch Break | |
| 2:00 – 3:00 pm | Stellar evolution – the lives of the stars | John Hearnshaw |
| 3:00 – 3:45 pm | Observing Matariki | Nalayini Davies |
| 3:45 – 4:15 pm | Afternoon tea/coffee break | |
| 4:15 – 4:45 pm | Useful books, publications and software for night sky guides and amateur astronomers | All Instructors |
| 4:45 pm | Presentation of AAA Certificates to participants | |
| 5:00 pm | Close |
| Day/Time | Module | Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| Friday
26 May 2pm | Course registration opens in Dark Sky Project, 1 Motuariki Lane, Lake Tekapo | |
| 2.30pm | Welcoming address, Dark Sky project (Zone 1) | John Hearnshaw |
| 2.45pm | Introductions for participants | |
| 3.30pm | Afternoon tea/coffee break | |
| 4pm | Overview of astro-tourism and dark sky places in New Zealand | Nalayini Davies |
| 5pm | How binoculars and telescopes work and how to use a telescope | John Drummond |
| 6pm | Reception in Dark Sky Project | |
| 6.45pm | Dinner Break | |
| 8.15-10.15pm | Astro-Tour with telescopes: location Cowans Hill, crater 3
(weather permitting; use own transport) and/or Great Astro-quiz | Adrien Barrajon et al Gareth Davies |
| Saturday 27th May 8.45am | Coordinates and time in astronomy | John Hearnshaw |
| 9.45am | Astro equipment for you | Gareth Davies |
| 10.15am | Morning tea/coffee break | |
| 11am | Maori astronomy and Matariki | Victoria Campbell |
| 11.50pm | A display of time-lapse night-sky videos | Fraser Gunn |
| 12.40pm | Lunch Break | |
| 2pm | Principal objects to look at for astro-tourists | Alan Gilmore |
| 3pm | The astronomy equipment for you | Gareth Davies |
| 3.30pm | Afternoon tea/coffee break | |
| 4pm | Techniques of astro-photography | John Drummond |
| 4.45pm | Workshop: Option 1: Hands-On Astro-photography Option 2: Setting up an Astro-tourism Business | John Drummond Nalayini Davies |
| 6pm | Astronomy outreach – 20 tips to remember | Gareth Davies |
| 6.45pm | Dinner Break | |
| 8.15-10.15pm | Astro-Tour with telescopes: location Cowans Hill
Observatory, Crater 3 (weather permitting, use own
transport) and/or Great Astro-Quiz | Adrien Barrajon et al. Gareth Davies |
| Sunday 28th May 9am | Naming of stars and celestial objects | John Hearnshaw |
| 10am | 20 tips to remember | Gareth Davies |
| 10.30am | Morning tea/coffee break | |
| 11am | Some examples of astronomical research | Adrien Barrajon |
| 12pm | Our place in the Universe | Nalayini Davies |
| 1pm | Lunch Break | |
| 2pm | Notes for astro-tour guides | Alan Gilmore |
| 2.45pm | Stellar evolution – the lives of the stars | John Hearnshaw |
| 3.45pm | Afternoon tea/coffee break | |
| 4.15pm | Useful books, publications and software for night sky guides | All Instructors |
| 4.45pm | Presentation of AAA Certificates to participants | |
| 5pm | Close |
