Upcoming Events
Next Event
Matariki Events at Te Takere The Horowhenua Astronomical Society and Muaupoko Tribal Authority are teaming up with Te Takere library, cultural & community centre to celebrate Matariki! Check out our blog post for details! Monthly Stargazing - Saturday,  July 6thOur next free monthly stargazing session at the Levin Adventure Park will be on Saturday, July 6th from 7pm. A variety of telescopes is generally available to view from, and members of the Horowhenua Astronomical Society are always on hand to answer questions you may have. You are also most welcome to bring your own telescope along if you need help learning how to use it or just want to join in the fun! Hot drinks and (usually) biscuits are available, and we welcome donations towards the cost of providing these. If the weather conditions are not favourable, we have a projector available to watch astronomy DVD's or have presentations, so come along anyway! |
Next Event
Join us at Te Takere Culture, Community Centre & Library on Wednesday, November 14th from 9am and watch the solar eclipse LIVE on the huge TV Wall! We will be webcasting the event from Te Takere and our mobile eclipse-chaser team will be ready to travel to clear skies to relay the live video feed to us if Levin is clouded out. If you are not able to join us at Te Takere, then watch our webcast online here. Please remember that you must NEVER look at the sun directly, even during a solar eclipse! Please use proper solar viewing glasses or come and watch it with us safely! |
StellarFest 2017
The Horowhenua Astronomical Society is holding the sixth annual StellarFest in the Lower North Island.
 21st-23rd July
Foxton Beach Bible Camp, Foxton Beach, Horowhenua
The overall theme of the weekend will be the Winter Milky Way. The venue is situated at a dark site so this wondrous area of the night sky will be easily visible and riding high in the sky.
The weekend will include:
• Hydrogen-alpha solar viewing and photography
• Interesting talks by both professional and amateur astronomers
• Night-time observing, through a variety of telescopes (feel free to bring your own telescopes – the more the merrier!)
• A telescope trail
The talks, on a wide variety of astronomical topics, shall be held throughout the day and, in the event of bad weather, during the evening.
The programme of talks is yet to be finalised but speakers that are already confirmed include:
Professor Bill Williams
Professor Paul Delaney
Edwin Rodley
Stephen Chadwick
Nicholas Witte JP Borberg
All talks will be accessible to a general audience.
If you have your own telescope/binoculars/camera please bring them along. If you would like some advice about getting the most out of your equipment there will be experts on hand to assist. Don't be shy!
There is a pool table and table tennis as well as a playground with trampolines and a flying fox, rugby and soccer, grass tennis and volleyball to keep the young (and not so young!) amused.
Cost
StellarFest Fee: Applies to ALL attendees, including Day Visitors.
People over 18 years = $23.00 / 10-18 years = $12. Under 10s = FREE
On-Site Accommodation:
Shared heated Cabins (from twin to 8 per cabin) or Dormitory - $20 per night per person over 10 years old; $3 per night for under 10s.
We will endeavour to accommodate couples and families in cabins ahead of individuals. As the cabins are limited in number, individuals may be asked to use the dormitory accommodation. If you are an individual, and can pre-arrange to share a cabin please tell us beforehand. Any spare cabins will be allocated on a first in, first served basis.
Alternative Accommodation:
The Foxton Beach Motor Camp is located within 5 minutes' drive of the StellarFest venue. They have powered and non-powered sites as well as cabins available. Please make bookings directly with them:- Foxton Beach Top 10 Holiday Park
Facilities
Mattresses and pillows are provided but please note that you must bring your own pillow slips and bedding.
A large fully equipped kitchen is available, with crockery, utensils, dishwasher, cleaning products, fridges and freezers. A huge dining hall is available for eating in.
The main hall is fully set up for talks. It has a large open fire as well as electric heating.
The venue is hired on a ‘do-it-yourself’ basis – groceries can be bought locally from New World in Foxton, or from the dairy in Foxton Beach itself.
Meals
At Saturday and Sunday lunchtime pizza will be available IF BOOKED IN ADVANCE. There will be a choice of ham and cheese or vegetarian. These pizzas will cost $7 each. On the Saturday evening an optional fish and chip supper is available for $8 per head. All other meals must be prepared by yourself using the available facilities.
Hot soup will be available (gold coin donation) on both Friday and Saturday evening to accompany observing and other activities.
HOW TO BOOK
If you have any queries please contact the HASI Secretary, Tina Hills, at:
Location of the Foxton Beach Bible Camp
View Larger Map The Venue
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Next Event
Our next free monthly stargazing session at the Levin Adventure Park will be on Saturday, August 4th from 7pm. A variety of telescopes is generally available to view from, and members of the Horowhenua Astronomical Society are always on hand to answer questions you may have. You are also most welcome to bring your own telescope along if you need help learning how to use it or just want to join in the fun! Hot drinks and (usually) biscuits are available, and we welcome donations towards the cost of providing these. If the weather conditions are not favourable, we have a projector available to watch astronomy DVD's or have presentations, so come along anyway! |
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