Paul Moss Sharing Space RSS feed for this page here
 
Home
 

 

 

 

 

Help us prevent development - Buy your T-Shirt now! Help us prevent development - Buy your T-Shirt now! click on merchandise tab

One Ocean, One People, One Sky

One People, One Sky Astronomers Without Borders

 
 

Guarding Against Destruction of the night sky at
Te Rae Kai Hau Point aka Te Raekaihau Point

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 - January 2008

One People, One Sky

The star-filled night fascinates us all. People have gazed upward at it in wonder and awe for thousands of years. Regardless of earthly differences in culture, nationality or religion, the heavens are a common meeting ground for all of Earth's inhabitants. The boundaries we place between us vanish when we look skyward. Whoever, whatever or wherever we are, we all share the same sky.
more info at Astronomers Without Borders

The International Year of Astronomy - what is it?

The International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) will be a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, highlighted by the 400th anniversary of the first use of an astronomical telescope by Galileo Galilei. The aim of the Year is to stimulate worldwide interest, especially among young people, in astronomy and science under the central theme "The Universe, Yours to Discover".

IYA2009 NZ National Node

 
 

International Sidewalk Astronomy Night

Full ISAN NZ story and photos here: ISAN2008

April 12th 2008 1pm to 11pm
Waterfront Queens Wharf
near sails and Rainbow Warrior


night sky activity in Wellington

see 2007 event here

ISAN official Website Here

 

The making of the movie STARS, a presentation
by Paul Moss more here at SKY

STARS, a project by composer Warwick Blair
more here at SKY

 

STARS

Performance: Warwick Blair
Saturday 26 April 12-4pm, The Gus Fisher Gallery

Composer Warwick Blair presents a four-hour preview of his forthcoming project Stars, a 24-hour-long audio-visual project inspired by the Indian concept of anoraniyan mahatomahiyan, which proposes an intertwined relationship between the cosmos and human body. Blair's composition draws from gandharva music, which applies particular qualities to specific times of the day, and incorporates electronic backing and vocals from Sandhya Rao Badakere.

Admission free

The Gus Fisher Gallery
74 Shortland Street, Auckland
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10am-5pm; Saturday, 12-4pm; closed Public Holidays

Phone: 9 373 7599 ext 86646
Email: gusfishergallery@auckland.ac.nz
Website: www.gusfishergallery.auckland.ac.n

Gifford Observatory Info Page

 

The point is saved (for now)...

Kia whakapūmau tonu te wairua o Te Raekaihau

Be continued forever, the wild spirits of Te Raekaihau

Wellington Marine Conservation Trust has withdrawn its High Court appeal against an Environment Court decision that denied resource consent for the proposed $20 million marine education centre at
Te Raekaihau Pt. REBECCA PALMER - The Dominion Post

more here: The Dominion Post Te Rae Kai Hau Point and
here www.gadot.org.nz and here www.savethepoint.org.nz

===========

Book Launch

Astronomy Aotearoa
by Robert Shaw

PEARSON EDUCATION NEW ZEALAND
67 APOLLO DRIVE, ROSEDALE
NORTH SHORE CITY 0632
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
POSTAL ADDRESS
PRIVATE BAG 102902
NORTH SHORE CITY 0745
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
TEL +64 (0)9 442 7400
FAX +64 (0)9 442 7401
www.pearsoned.co.nz

Launching students into space
The Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban will launch 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

=====

One of the Astronomy Aotearoa contributors,
Paul Moss, holding a pre-release of the book.

 


 

 

“I want to especially note the incredible fortitude and strengths of one to two hundred Wellingtonians that are prepared to brave a GALE FORCE wind laden with salt for many hours. I measured 10.8 degrees dropping to 10.5 later, and that’s in the shelter of the motor vehicle, not taking into account wind chill. The wind was 70km/hr dropping to 50km/hr sustained, until around 11pm when it dropped noticeably. We were rewarded with the best views in Wellington, even the Milky Way appeared during totality, a once in a life time experience for most of us. I saw the moon as a ‘rock in space’ for the second time only, ever. It had a 3d quality through the refractor that blew me away. I must also thank all the nzastronomers@yahoo.com for such a buildup and preparation, support and encouragement. You guys rock! I’m esp grateful to the last minute weather reports, to try and understand the weather, and the rapid delivery of pics back to the list, very cool guys!! I experienced the largest astro gathering ever in my life (unfunded, outside of public funded events).” Quote from Paul Moss, Sharing Space www.astronomy.net.nz .

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

 

 

Talk to Kiwi Astronomers Now!

* meet at MySpace mozaherd

* meet at NZ Astro Chat here

* meet at NZastronomers at Yahoo here

Hear Kiwi Radio Now! stream George FM here

 

*Interesting little snipett.. Paul Moss gets published again later this year.
*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: Not Yet Published; Expected date: 21/11/2007

*Illustrations by many New Zealanders, including Paul Moss.

Images and web design sponsored by Sharing Space - Astronomy NZ

Book Launch

Astronomy Aotearoa
by Robert Shaw

 

Photos and related comment click here

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

 


all pics copyright to Paul Moss
click here go to Total Lunar Eclipse
Aug 28th 2007


Ray Ching observing the total Lunar Eclipse
Aug 28th 2007 from Te Rae Kai Hau Point,
Wellington, New Zealand. more pics here:


Sunset over Te Wai Pounamu

 

Comet Neat Wright Hill Wellington


Comet Neat Wright Hill Wellington


Aurora Australis Titahi Bay Porirua Wellington Region


Aurora Australis Bluff Hill Near Invercargill Southland New Zealand


Reporoa stars, a frame from the movie production.

 


Stars preview performance at Gus Fisher Gallery

Astronomy Day
10th May 2008

IAL -International Astronomical League

Astronomy Day is a grass roots movement designed to share the joy of astronomy with the general population - "Bringing Astronomy to the People."� On Astronomy Day, thousands of people who have never looked through a telescope will have an opportunity to see first hand what has so many amateur and professional astronomers all excited.� Astronomy clubs, science museums, observatories, universities, planetariums, laboratories, libraries, and nature centers host special events and activities to acquaint their population with local astronomical resources and facilities.� Many of these events are located at non-astronomical sites; shopping malls, parks, urban centers-truly Bringing Astronomy to the People.� It is an astronomical PR event that helps highlight ways the general public can get involved with astronomy - or at least get some of their questions about astronomy answered.� Astronomy Week encompasses Astronomy Day starting on the previous Monday and ending on the following Sunday.�

The theme of Astronomy Day is "Bringing Astronomy to the People," but on occasion there is an additional theme (but not always) when conditions warrant.� This additional theme is often decided just a few months prior to Astronomy Day so be sure to check this web site annually for any additional theme.�

Wellington Event location - Queens Wharf (tbc)

........................................

Full ISAN NZ story and photos here: ISAN2008


The Moon - by Dmtri
(more of Dmtri's pics on the ISAN2008 page here)


ISAN 2008 Wellington NZ


Bonnevue Pictures interviewing at ISAN 2008 -
From right: Ken Kopelson, (- Producer / Director / Writer), Paul Moss (ISAN NZ Organiser), Roland Idaczyk (IYA2009 NZ Webmaster), Ann Kopelson ( Producer / Writer),
and Anaru Reedy (maori Astronomy/Navigation).

Full ISAN NZ story and photos here: ISAN2008

.

The movie PALINDROME - trailer
is available on line here:

More info at Bonnevue Pictures

 

ISAN EVENT!!!

April 12th 2008 will be the second international sidewalk astronomy night and we invite all amateur astronomers to join us! We'll have telescopes out on the street corners, in front of movie theaters, in state and national parks, in city centre parks ... anywhere there are crowds of people!

 
Our goal is to take scopes to the public on the same night worldwide, reaching hundreds of thousands of people and uniting amateur astronomers on different continents. We also hope many amateurs will try and like this different approach to astronomy outreach and will continue to hold sidewalk observing sessions throughout the year.
 
The events don't have to be large, one or two scopes at a location will be enough and if your club has more scopes and members, why not set up multiple observing sites around your city?  We know that many clubs and organizations have regularly scheduled public events at local observatories and planetariums, so we  hope that you can spare one or two members for sidewalk observing.   official ISAN site here

ISAN EVENT!!!
International Sidewalk Astronomy Day/Night

April 12th 2008 1pm to 11pm Waterfront
Queens Wharf near sails and Rainbow Warrior
MAP here
night sky activity in Wellington? and info?

see 2007 event here

Join
a community of common Interest - astro stuff!!

go here (you need a yahoo ID) and vote in the latest poll:
click nzastronomers at yahoo.com

Read
the truth about how many emails and the
attached content were posted at
nzastronomers@yahoo.com . HERE.

GO TO ASTRO EVENT

International Sidewalk Astronomy Night - ISAN
Saturday, 12 April 2008
Impressions this week: 1139
Impressions to date: 3930
http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/event/view/id/10788.html

see more below...

NEWS: STARS MOVIE nearly finished,
Warwick Blair's STARS musical composition is complete, the companion movie is nearing completion. The first 24 hour premiere of both works will appear as one installation at the National Film Archive in April 2008. Later this year, 6 movies will tour Art galleries across NZ with the composition, with 8 hour performances at some locations.

Earth Hour (huge success)

International Energy Saving Event

March 29th 2008 at 8pm for 60mins

more here http://www.earthhour.org/user/HSZd

Created to take a stand against the greatest threat our planet has ever faced, Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.

This simple act has captured the hearts and minds of people all over the world. As a result, at 8pm March 29, 2008 millions of people in some of the world’s major capital cities, including Copenhagen, Toronto, Chicago, Melbourne, Brisbane and Tel Aviv will unite and switch off for Earth Hour.

 

Images from the South Coast Solar Eclipse Event
- Thursday February 7th 2008

Te Rae Kai Hau Point

for lots more, see www.facebook.com
user Paul Moss and Edwin Rodley


Photo courtesy Ron Fisher

...

Toa, Roland, Gary, Hari, and Haritoa, 4 months, enjoyed the event... cool..

 

On Thursday afternoon (7th February 2008) a large chunk of the Sun will disappear as the Moon covers it in a partial solar eclipse. This rare event only happens every few years from Gisborne’s perspective. At first a small bite of the Sun will disappear at 4:43pm and then the Moon will progressively cover the Sun until its greatest coverage of 63% at 5:49pm. From there it will move off the Sun until it is all over at 6:49pm.  

A partial solar eclipse isn’t nearly as spectacular as a total solar eclipse when the Sun is completely covered for a few minutes. Nevertheless, it’s still an amazing sight to behold – however, sight is the thing to beware of as any attempt to look at the Sun with binoculars or a telescope (or even the naked eye) can result in blindness. The Gisborne Astronomical Society is opening the Cook Observatory on Kaiti Hill from 4:45pm this Thursday to show people how to view the event safely.

This is the first partial solar eclipse visible from New Zealand since
April 2005.  The next will not be until November 2011. So the general consensus is, make the most of this one!

For more details go to the Gisborne Astronomical Society website:

www.astrogas.co.nz Thanks to John Drummond.

 


Carter Observatory, Wellington, New Zealand. Image copyright 2008 by Paul Moss

Lets remember Carter Observatory. One of my fond memories from last summer, Bill and I tried all sorts
of angles to achieve the composition, thanks Bill.
.................................
Lets reduce the light pollution, lower our energy use,
help the nocturnal animals get healthier,
share the treasures of the sky.

 

 

ore pics here: Rakiura Music

..-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.----.

 



The new website for 'Sky Of Plenty' will be featured here as it comes into being.. It is for
The Whakatane Astronomical Society!

Check it out here:
The Whakatane Astronomical Society


SkyDome Observatory

new page here

more info about SkyDome Observatory at
Astronomy Adventures NZ - New Zealand

====== older events here

Three Scapes Four - Marama
Three Scapes Four - Marama, Te Rae Kai Hau Point,
Wellington, 26 September 2007. 5pm onwards

Almost Full Moon Rising with awesome South Coast Sunset, telescopes, maybe fire and drums.. celebrate the open spaces of the Wellington South Coast. Warm clothing and hot drinks recommended! Bring cameras and learn astro photography... learn about the Wellington Community and understand the local body election from the residents viewpoint..

Sunset 1822
Moonrise 1738

(the almost full moon will be visible for 44 minutes with the sun, before sunset.) more info text 021 440 443



Paul Moss celibrating at Te Rae Kai Hau Point with friends
(self portrait photo assisted by Roland)

and more at http://www.sky.org.nz

 

 

 

 
 

 
           
 

 

check out the Astronomy In New Zealand swicki at eurekster.com

 

 

 

 

 

  The space for this site has been provided by the Wellington Community Network
 
Wellington Community Network
Wellington Community Network