Our next course: 26th - 28th May 2023
The course is designed for people with an interest in improving their knowledge of Astronomy, Astrotourism, Astrophotography, Stargazing/Outreach & NZ’s Dark Sky Movement.
Venue: Dark Sky Project, Lake Tekapo, South Canterbury.
The fee for this course is $295, which includes:
- An immersive programme of lectures, workshops, demonstrations with small telescopes and cameras, and practical observing will be offered. We expect to visit the Cowan’s Hill observatory near Tekapo for observing and star gazing with telescopes and binoculars.
- Astrotourism and dark sky places in New Zealand
- How binoculars and telescopes work and how to use a telescope
- Our place in the Universe
- Coordinates and time in astronomy
- Principal objects to look at for astrotourists
- The astronomy equipment for you
- Astronomy outreach – 20 tips to remember
- Naming of stars and celestial objects
- Maori astronomy and Matariki
- Astrophotography
- Notes for astro-tour guides
- The lives of the stars : star formation, evolution and star death
- Useful books, publications and software for night sky guides
- Astrophotography
- How to start an astrotourism business
- Practical observing with a small telescope
- Grand astroquiz for all
You will be asked to provide registration details for each person you are registering.
Payment is by bank transfer, details of our bank account provided at checkout.
AAA is grateful to the Dark Sky Project for sponsorship and providing the venue for this course. We are also grateful to the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve for sponsorship funding.
Our next courses for 2023 are being finalised.
Kapiti Coast to celebrate Matariki, July 21-23, 2023
The second AAA course of 2023 will be at Te Horo on the Kapiti Coast. This will be a special course to celebrate Matariki, and is especially for amateur astronomers or anyone wanting to learn more about navigating the stars in the night sky using a small telescope or binoculars.
Places at the course are limited to 24 – 30 people
The venue will be the Arcus Kiwi Event centre, 29 Arcus Rd, Te Horo (between Otaki and Waikanae) – see https://www.arcus.kiwi/
Programme: An immersive programme of lectures, workshops, demonstrations with small telescopes and cameras, and practical observing will be offered. We expect to visit the private observatory of Nigel Knowles at Te Horo for observing and star gazing.
Times: Friday 2:30 pm to 10:30 pm; Saturday 9:00 am to 10:30 pm; Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Registration fee: $295 (to be confirmed). Registrations not yet open.
More details will be on-line shortly. For enquiries, please contact us.
Our next course: 2nd - 4th December 2022
The Aotearoa Astrotourism Academy is pleased to announce the fourth course of the Academy will be held in Auckland at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, 181 Westhaven Drive, Westhaven Marina, Auckland 1011 – on the Auckland waterfront near the Harbour bridge
2nd – 4th December 2022 (Note: The course has been rescheduled from 21-23 October).
The next course is now open for registration
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, 2nd - 4th December 2022
The course is designed for people with an interest in improving their knowledge of Astronomy, Astrotourism, Astrophotography, Stargazing/Outreach & NZ’s Dark Sky Movement.
Places at the course are limited to about 30.
The fee for this course is $797, which includes:
- an immersive programme of lectures, talks and night-time observing (weather permitting),
- an optional visit to Stardome Observatory on the Friday and Saturday evenings
- Friday evening reception
- morning and afternoon teas and lunch on Saturday and Sunday
- Workshops on astrophotography, starting an astrotourism business and Stargazing/ Outreach
You will be asked to provide registration details for each person you are registering.
Payment is by bank transfer, details of our bank account provided at checkout.
