The
majesty of the magnificent beast, known as the “galaxy”. Once thought to be
nebulae in our own Milky Way, we have known for some time that these beautiful
creatures are entities all their own, and some, quite far away. Here is a
collection Hubble Heritage galaxy images.
Credit for Hubble Images: NASA, ESA
Image Collage Credit: Jisoo Lee and Zolt
Levay
Astronomical Societies
We advertise the meetings and events
of the local Wellington Astronomical Societies.
Wairarapa Society
Meeting - Friday June 8 at 7:30pm at the
7:30pm Society News
7:40pm Edwin’s Universe The latest astronomy and
space-research news presented by Edwin Rodley.
7:55pm Intelligent Life in the Galaxy presentation
by Richard Hall
“Two possibilities
exist: either we are alone in the universe or we are not.
Both are equally terrifying”. Arthur
C. Clarke
New planets are being discovered beyond the
Solar System on almost a monthly basis and, technologically, we are on the
threshold of having the ability to detect Earth-like worlds around other
stars. It is timely then, to discuss
Arthur C. Clarke’s two possibilities.
What would the environments of alien earth-like worlds be like? What would alien life forms be like? Are we alone in the universe or one of a
multitude? If alien intelligence exists in the Galaxy what is its nature and
where might it be? These are the topics
that will be addressed in this presentation and, as we shall see, the two
possibilities are indeed equally terrifying.
See Wairarapa Meeting for details.
7:00pm Society News
7:10pm Edwin’s Universe
7:25pm Intelligent Life in the Galaxy
OBSERVERS EVENING
Saturday June 16 at
6:30pm at the
Our observer’s evenings are dedicated to
practical astronomy and include, weather permitting, telescope viewing.
6:30pm: Late
Autumn and Early Winter Stars -A tour of our current evening night sky
(Audio-visual).
7:15pm Autumn
Galaxies with Ian Cooper. In this presentation Ian will discuss the some of
the famous galaxies that can be found in our evening sky and techniques used to
observe them.
FINE WEATHER PROGRAM
7:40pm: Observing
Begins: star and constellation recognition.
8:00pm: Telescope
Viewing – the planet Jupiter and deep space wonders of the evening night
sky.
UNFAVORABLE WEATHER PROGRAM
7:40pm: Planet Earth: as you’ve never seen it
before. Narrated by David
Attenborough. Part 2. “Every few years we are treated to a series
so compelling that it puts all other shows in the shade… Every single second of
these epic new films is a joy to behold… mindblowing…” Daily Mirror
YOU NEED TO BOOK IN. We need to know who and how many are coming
so that we can organize the observing program and star charts. Please note that observing sessions are for
members only. If you would like to come please book in with Chris Picking:
Picking@attglobal.net or phone (06) 378 6184
For further information contact
The WAS talk on
Wednesday June 13 at 7.30pm is by
WAS also holds a star party at the
Thomas King Observatory at Carter observatory on Tuesday nights.
More information can be gained from the WAS web
site:- www.was.org.nz
This picture of a 9 day old
Moon was taken by
At lower right is the
circular mountain range known as the Appenines with dark crater Plato on the
inside of the range. The dark markings on the right of the Moon are impact
craters that were flooded by dark lava.
The
Galactic Circle Space and
The Galactic Circle meeting on June 20 will be on
Mid Winter and
Matariki
As Carter Observatory will be undergoing
renovations and refurbishments, these meeting will probably be held at the
scout hall near Carter. However at this stage it is unsure when the scout hall
will be available so it would be wise to check the date and location of the
meeting.
For more details, contact
The New Zealand Space Flight Association
meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month, at 7:30pm at Carter
Observatory. (All welcome, free admission, though donations are welcome!)
The next meeting of the NZ Spaceflight Association will
be when the Carter Observatory is open again after its refurbishment.
For
more information contact