Date/Time
Date(s) - Sat 24 May - Sun 25 May
18:00 - 1:00
Location
Star Field site, 10 mins outside of Martinborough
The evening will be a dark sky with no Moon, perfect for astrophotography and telescope viewing. Mars will be in the evening sky. The Milky Way will be directly above with Scorpio and the centre of our galaxy rising in the East. You will get to see the Emu and Kiwi in our skies. The Milky Way’s satellite galaxies, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds stand out in a dark sky. There are many other interesting objects to look at, nebulae, distant galaxies, planetary nebula (dying stars), globular clusters and double stars.
Star Field is a private astronomical facility sited in and near the core of the newly accredited Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, the second dark sky reserve in Aotearoa NZ. The first is the Aoraki/Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve in the South Island
There will be a tour of the Night Sky for beginners with a pointer before they get on the telescopes. There is also a lot of expertise available for anyone wanting to photograph the Night Sky.
This event is a free members for members of the Society. (To join the Wellington Astronomical Society see https://www.was.org.nz/join-us/ ). It is good value to become a member and get as many free night sky tours for the year. Members can bring friends but please let the organisers know. There is a small cost involved for non-members.
Register by contacting Wellington Astronomical Society through FaceBook Messenger or by emailing events@was.org.nz. Include your email and mobile phone in the text if you are using FaceBook Messenger. Directions to the site in the Wairarapa, and any updates, will be emailed out. You are welcome to stay on-site either in a tent or sleep in a car but please tell the organisers if you intend to do so.
What to bring:
Warm clothes as it gets pretty cold at night, beanie, gloves etc.
Snacks if you want.
Warm drinks are provided.
A warm room is available if you need warming up.
A flush toilet is available on-site.
For astrophotography:
A DSLR or mirrorless camera,
A wide angle lens (preferably),
A tripod to fix the camera to,
With people taking photos, keep lights to a minimum (red lights if you can) especially car headlights (use parking lights).
For those just interested in Deep Sky Observing, telescopes will be provided unless you want to bring your own.
For further details or cancellations contact Antony (021 2534979). This event will be updated by lunchtime on the day of the event if the weather forecast is not looking good.
Star Field is a private dark sky facility made available to members of the Wellington Astronomical Society through the generosity of John Whitby. It is a safe environment and you will be well looked after by the organisers.