Dark Sky Taonga

Sharing Space Astronomy
Astronomy for Wellington, New Zealand, and the World
- inspired by the light and dark of the southern sky

a website by paul moss - september 2007

The BEST sky pictures in New Zealand are posted each week at
METVUW dot com www.metvuw.com

Please feel free to use these photos for personal use. Commercial use and publishing in any form requires permission from the owner and subjects of the images. Attribution is essential (see below), copyright to all photos on this page is held and controlled by Paul Moss, Sharing Space. I will assist you to obtain the appropriate permissions for use, please let us know your requirements and intent for use.

Paul Moss email paul.moss@astronomy.net.nz
voice. 233 9889 (+64 4 233 9889) 021 440 443 (+64 21 440 443)
Sky w www.sky.org.nz Sharing Space w www.astronomy.net.nz

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Book Launch

Astronomy Aotearoa
by Robert Shaw

Launching students into space
The Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban launched a secondary school textbook on astronomy and space in the library at Aotea College on Monday 17 September.

The book, Astronomy Aotearoa, teaches the new curriculum in astronomy and space exploration for secondary school students.

Three years ago the Government introduced new NCEA standards for astronomy and students can now gain up to 12 NCEA credits for study in this science. Government intends that this curriculum will spark the interest of students in science and technology.

It is a part of our country’s effort towards a knowledge economy. The book brings into focus the achievements of ancient peoples, including Maori and Pasifika, New Zealand astronomers at work today, and the history of Western science.

It introduces students to Newton, Einstein, and Hawking.

Pearson Education New Zealand published the book in cooperation with the Carter Observatory. The author is Robert Shaw from Porirua City.

The book features the work of Anaru Reedy of Te Wananga O Aotearoa, and New Zealand photographers including
Paul Moss.

website: www.astronomyaotearoa.net

Robert Shaw, author, Astronomy Aotearoa, speaking..
Member of Parliament for Mana The Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban,
Aotea College Principal Julia F Davidson,
Lewis Moeau, representing the Minister of Maori Affairs.

PEARSON EDUCATION NEW ZEALAND
67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale
North Shore City 0632
Auckland

POSTAL
Private Bag 102902
North Shore City 0745
Auckland

TEL +64 (0)9 442 7400
FAX +64 (0)9 442 7401
www.pearsoned.co.nz

*Astronomy Aotearoa: NCEA Level 1 This title is published in New Zealand
*Author: Robert Shaw
*Edition: 1
*ISBN: 9780582549906
*ISBN10: 0582549906
*Format: Paperback ; 88 pp
*Published: Published;: 17/09/2007

*Illustrations by many New Zealanders, including
Paul Moss.

Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Mana, The Honourable Luamanuvao Winnie Laban
(officiating at the book launch) with Paul Moss and
Ray Ching.
The photo held is a composite lunar eclipse montage created by those two Wellington visual artists and astronomers. (see banner below).

Media Crew, with Equipment.

Sharing Space commissioned Digital Media Studies
person Woody Hay, to capture the book launch ceremony
on video with sound, to enable sharing the very special
messages that were delivered to the guests of honour,
and the media. We offer our heart felt thanks to Woody,
and pledge to materially support all his efforts to bring
objectivity and awarness to a range of important issues.

=====

Astronomy Aotearoa image contributor,
Paul Moss, holding a pre-release of the book.

If you wish to comment then go here
to Paul Moss blogspot

Talk to Kiwi Astronomers Now!

* meet at MySpace mozaherd

* meet at NZastronomers at Yahoo here

Hear Kiwi Radio Now! stream George FM here

*Astronomy Aotearoa: NCEA Level 1 This title is published in New Zealand
*Author: Robert Shaw
*Edition: 1
*ISBN: 9780582549906
*ISBN10: 0582549906
*Format: Paperback ; 88 pp
*Published: Published;: 17/09/2007

*Illustrations by many New Zealanders, including Paul Moss.

Bright Sky Taonga

A sun halo and parhelic circle with parhelia (sun dog)
at Aotea College, after the book launch.

A sun halo and parhelic circle with parhelia (sun dog)
at Aotea College, after the book launch.
(close up of the sundog)

The sun halo developed into a specatular sight over
Porirua harbour later in the day, after coming and
going all day. The sky did its dance for us!!!

Images and web design sponsored by Sharing Space - Astronomy NZ

Book Launch

Astronomy Aotearoa
by Robert Shaw

The Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban (right) and
Robert Shaw, (left) Launching Astronomy Aotearoa.


____________
Launch feature pics

Anaru Reedy - Te Wananga o Aotearoa
blessing the books
Telescopes and Astro display provided by Sharing Space

Member of Parliament for Mana, The Hon
Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, with Porirua City Councillor and Astronomy Aotearoa author Robert Shaw (left),
and Anaru Reedy (right)

The Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban

The Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, with Lewis Moeau,
representing the Minister of Maori Affairs (far left),
Robert Shaw (left), and Anaru Reedy (right).

Carter Observatory Board Chairperson Richard Bentley, Porirua Mayor Jenny Brash, and Maori Television Crew (facing away)

Robert Shaw (right), speaking to guests at the book launch, from left, Publisher Ken Harrop , Anaru Reedy (Te Wananga o Aotearoa ), Porirua Mayor Jenny Brash, Carter Observatory Board Chairperson Richard Bentley, Member of Parliament for Mana The Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, Aotea College Principal Julia F Davidson, Lewis Moeau,
representing the Minister of Maori Affairs , (centre right)

__________________
launch Images in Chronological Order:

The first books arrive and are inspected by Paul Moss (astro-photographer) (left), Robert Shaw (centre), and Anaru Reedy (right)

Honoured Guests arrival, escorted by Aotea College Principal Julia Davidson,
Member of Parliament for Mana The Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban
and Lewis Moeau, representing the Minister of Maori Affairs ,
greeting Paul Moss (astro-photographer)
with Anaru Reedy (Te Wananga o Aotearoa ) (centre rear).

Honoured Guests arrival, escorted by Aotea College Principal Julia Davidson,
Member of Parliament for Mana The Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban
(facing away) greeting Carter Observatory Board Chairperson Richard Bentley
(far left) and Lewis Moeau, representing the Minister of Maori Affairs,
speaking with Anaru Reedy (far right).

Carter Observatory Board Chairperson Richard Bentley,
discussing book with Paul Moss (astro-photographer),
Aotea College Principal Julia F Davidson facing away.

Guests at the book launch, from left, Publisher Ken Harrop, Anaru Reedy
(Te Wananga o Aotearoa ), Carter Observatory Board Chairperson
Richard Bentley discussing book with Author Robert Shaw,
Aotea College Principal Julia F Davidson (far right) looking at book held by Lewis Moeau, representing the Minister of Maori Affairs, (second right),
Aotea College students look on.

Aotea College Principal Julia F Davidson opening the speeches

Aotea College Principal Julia F Davidson speaking to guest at the launch

Anaru Reedy - Te Wananga o Aotearoa
blessing the books
Telescopes and Astro display provided by Sharing Space

Media Crew, with Equipment. Massey University
Digital Media Studies person Woody Hay

Anaru Reedy - Te Wananga o Aotearoa

Anaru Reedy - Te Wananga o Aotearoa
Telescopes and Astro display provided by Sharing Space

Robert Shaw (right), speaking to guests at the book launch, from left, Publisher Ken Harrop , Anaru Reedy (Te Wananga o Aotearoa ), Porirua Mayor Jenny Brash, Carter Observatory Board Chairperson Richard Bentley, Member of Parliament for Mana The Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, Aotea College Principal Julia F Davidson,Lewis Moeau, representing the
Minister of Maori Affairs, (centre right)

The Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban

Lewis Moeau spoke at the book launch
on behalf of the Minister of Maori Affairs.

from left, Porirua Mayor Jenny Brash, Carter Observatory Board
Chairperson Richard Bentley, Member of Parliament for Mana The Hon
Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, Aotea College Principal Julia F Davidson

Member of Parliament for Mana, The Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban,
with Porirua City Councillor and Astronomy Aotearoa
author Robert Shaw (left), and Anaru Reedy (right)

The Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, withLewis Moeau, representing the
Minister of Maori Affairs, (far left), Robert Shaw (left), and Anaru Reedy (right).
with Carter Observatory Board Chairperson Richard Bentley,
Porirua Mayor Jenny Brash, and Maori Television Crew (facing away)

The Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, with Lewis Moeau, representing the
Minister of Maori Affairs, (far left), Robert Shaw (left), and Anaru Reedy (right).
with Aotea College Principal Julia F Davidson, Carter Observatory
Board Chairperson Richard Bentley, Porirua Mayor Jenny Brash,
and Maori Television Crew (facing away)

Publisher Ken Harrop (Pearson Education)
Telescopes and Astro display provided by Sharing Space

Publisher Ken Harrop (Pearson Education)

Robert Shaw, author, Astronomy Aotearoa.

Robert Shaw, author, Astronomy Aotearoa, speaking..
Member of Parliament for Mana The Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban,
Aotea College Principal Julia F Davidson,
Lewis Moeau, representing the Minister of Maori Affairs.

Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Mana,
The Honourable Luamanuvao Winnie Laban
(officiating at the book launch) with Paul Moss and Ray Ching.
The photo held is a composite lunar eclipse montage created
by those two Wellington visual artists and astronomers.
(see banner to left above).

The sky delivered a Taonga, a nice close to the ceremony.
A sun halo almost appeared over the car park as the crew were loading the motor vehicles. I said look, thats a small faint part of a halo and when you see that, you must look over there, and there, pointing, for sundogs (parhellia) and parhelic circles that cross the halo and pass through the parhelia. Thinking that the faint halo wasnt worth trying to photgraph, we finished packing, glancing up again revealed the brightest and most colourful Parhelia I ahve ever seen, and a fuzzy parhelic circle. I snapped away as it faded to nothing. The halo tried to return all day, but waited until late before it was a complete apparition.
by Paul Moss.