FATHERS' DAY
Show your Dad you think he’s a star.
Bring Dad or your Grandfather to one of our Planetarium shows on Fathers' Day and he gets in for free.
Bookings essential – Ph: 09 624 1246 or email us: info@stardome.org.nz
Free Dads must be accompanied by at least one other paying person. Only one free dad or grandfather per paying admit.
Shows on Fathers' Day - 5th September 2010
1pm – Magic Sky*
2pm - The Little Star that Could
3pm - Two Small Pieces of Glass
4pm – Black Holes*
PLANETARIUM SHOW
DRAGON SKIES
China’s history of recording events in the heavens can be traced back further than any other present day nation. In honour of the annual Chinese Moon Festival the Stardome presents ‘Dragon Skies’ for one week only.
‘Dragon Skies’ takes a look at ancient Chinese constellations and their stories, discoveries made by Chinese astronomers and the tools they used to make them - some of which have greatly influenced our understanding of the universe today.
The live, presenter-led show focuses on the skies above China today, and compares this to the sky some 2000 years ago in order to better understand why the constellations are in their current locations. It will also look at some of the mythology and legends of the ancient sky - answering questions about the Chinese Zodiac, the lunisolar calendar, and why the Chinese navy continue to fire guns at the Moon during a lunar eclipse.
‘Dragon Skies’ is a must-see show for anyone who has an interest in Chinese culture or astronomy.
This year’s Moon Festival falls on Wednesday the 22nd of September.
The ‘Dragon Skies’ show will take place at 9pm on Tue 21, Wed 22, Thu 23, Fri 24, Sat 25 & Sun 26 September only.
The programme includes a Planetarium show and telescope viewing (weather permitting).
Tickets $16 per adult, $8 per child.
Bookings essential – Ph: 09 624 1246 or email us: info@stardome.org.nz
LECTURE
Stardome Observatory: its genesis and achievements
Speaker: Dr Grant Christie
Grant has been associated with the Stardome Observatory since it opened in 1967. Today he leads the research programme that has recently contributed to the discovery of planets orbiting distant stars.
The modern Stardome Observatory had its origins in the 1930s when some visionary members of the Auckland Astronomical Society first proposed a fine public observatory for Auckland. The dream was finally realised when the Observatory opened in 1967 housing the Edith Winstone Blackwell Telescope, the largest in New Zealand at that time. Stardome today plays a major role in public science outreach, education and astronomical research. This talk will trace the history of the Observatory and explain some of its significant astronomical discoveries.
· Wednesday 22nd September, Sunday 26th September
· 7.30pm
· FREE
· The Sun Room, Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, One Tree Hill Domain, Manukau Road, Royal Oak
· 624 1246 | info@stardome.org.nz
LECTURE
The Transit of Venus and the quest to measure the size of the Universe
Speaker: Dr Grant Christie
To measure the size of the Universe, first you have to get a ruler. The most convenient ruler in astronomy is the distance from the Earth to the Sun but in the 18th Century this key quantity was not precisely known. This talk will explain how the Transit of Venus was used to measure this distance and the role played by astronomers in New Zealand.
· Wednesday 29th September, Sunday 3rd October
· 7.30pm
· FREE
· The Sun Room, Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, One Tree Hill Domain, Manukau Road, Royal Oak
· 624 1246 | info@stardome.org.nz
The Stardome Observatory & Planetarium is proudly supported by:
