Those attending the two-and-a-half-day course, which is hosted by non-profit Aotearoa Astrotourism Academy (AAA), will find an intensive programme of talks from experts and practical workshops, including night-time observing.
An AAA spokesperson said the organisation was founded in 2021 by University of Canterbury emeritus professor of astronomy John Hearnshaw and DarkSky International president Nalayini Davies who was until recently the president of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand.
Prof Hearnshaw said six of New Zealand’s most knowledgeable astronomy and astrotourism experts would be conducting the course.
Practical advice on astrophotography and on Māori astronomy and Matariki would be included.
The course would be open to anyone who wanted to learn how to appreciate the beauty of the night sky and learn more about the stars. No previous astronomy knowledge was required.
Earth and space science teachers in New Zealand high schools, who wanted a refresher on astronomy, astrophysics and practical observing and astrophotography were also welcome.
Napier’s Holt Planetarium director Bruce Ngataierua would give a talk on Matariki and Te Arorangi Māori. John Drummond would offer a talk and run a workshop on astrophotography and Ms Davies would take a workshop on how to set up an astrotourism business, the spokesperson said.
Also included were a talk on co-ordinates and time, the naming of stars and stellar astrophysics by Prof Hearnshaw and he and Ms Davies would talk about a total solar eclipse that would be visible from Central Otago in July 2028.
The course would be held in Naseby Town Hall from March 27 until March 29.
The AAA website at aaanz.org had more details and accepted online registrations, the spokesperson said.
— Allied Media
