Hawkes Bay Astronomical Society

03/03/2026

Hello,
We live at Westshore Napier& need help with setting up the scope of David's telescope .
Are you able to help us with this?
Many thanks from Heather Ramsay. ( David's partner).
0273274650

02/02/2026

Can anyone help Duane out with his new telescope?

Over the weekend I received a Dobsonian Classic 150P telescope. I have put it together but am unsure if I am using it correctly.

Is there a member of your group that would be interested in helping me? I want to check I'm using the equipment correctly and chat about tricks and tips. A bit of an idea of what I should expect to see when I look up and what I may need in the future.

I am really excited to make the step into looking and following the stars. Once I get going I will be looking at joining your group.

Kind regards
Duane Clinton
37 Avondale Road, Taradale.

05/01/2026

CENTRAL STAR PARTY 2026 (Thursday 15 - Monday 19 January)

Central Star Party, hosted by the Hawkes Bay Astronomical Society, is an annual star party held in the central North Island for the benefit of the astronomical community of the North Island of New Zealand. The goal of the organisers is to provide a fun social family-friendly astronomical gathering laced with talks, activities and telescope viewings. Full details at https://censtar.party

The tenth Central Star Party will be held from Thursday 15 to Monday19 January 2026 at the Tuki Tuki Camp site in the Hawkes Bay. This is the site of previous star parties.

There is plenty of tent sites and limited bunks and caravan sites. There is a kitchen facility, toilets and showers available.

As well as many varied astronomy presentations and telescope observing, there will be an Astro Quiz, raffle, movies, sausage sizzle, and a fish/burger & chip dinner. The full programme is available at https://censtar.party/?page_id=3557 including a downloadable pdf.

Bookings are now available at https://censtar.party/?post_type=product

The talk will introduce the definition of an (planetary) atmosphere and why gas giants don’t have one. It will also explain how to measure and analysis atmospheres beyond the earth and will give an overview of solar system planetary atmospheres, as well as a selection of some of the moon’s atmos...

05/04/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FJmvh488D/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The course runs from June 20 to 22 at Hawke's Bay Holt Planetarium in Napier.

29/03/2025

Space Weather News

The Sun has this morning unleashed a powerful X1.1 solar flare—and there’s likely more to come!

We’re currently at solar maximum, the most active phase of the Sun’s 11-year cycle, meaning solar flares are happening more often.

These flares can impact communications and infrastructure here on Earth, but they also create stunning auroras when they interact with our atmosphere.

While X-class flares are the strongest type, this one is on the lower end of the scale.

However, the active sunspot that produced it is rotating toward Earth, so we could see more solar activity in the coming days.

Stay tuned for updates—and keep an eye on the sky for potential auroras! 🌌✨

The next week could be interesting!

24/03/2025

The AAA course is coming up in June over Matariki weekend and is being hosted at The Hawkes Bay Holt Planetarium. Check out the website below to register.

https://aaanz.org/

Send a message to learn more

15/03/2025

Check your security cameras, Let’s go !!!

Hunt fir nz’s 11 th meteorite is on in Hawkes Bay

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AGqeKoFfk/?mibextid=wwXIfr

A fireball lit up the North Island night sky on Wednesday, exciting meteorite hunters.

13/03/2025

Check this out!!!

We have a few of our incredible members with cameras in the fireballs network. Interesting if you caught a glimpse.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Bx7NbPRyh/?mibextid=wwXIfr

12/03/2025

Where will you be watching Friday’s Lunar Eclipse?

The moon passes into Earth's shadow in the early evening of Friday, March 14.

The eclipse will begin as soon as the moon rises at 7.38pm on Friday. It will reach its totality between 8pm and 8.30pm and will end by 11pm.

https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/03/12/how-to-catch-a-glimpse-of-friday-nights-total-lunar-eclipse/

09/03/2025

AstroChats

Bruce Ngataierua who is the Director at the Holt Planetarium hosts AstroChats where he summarizes what’s in the night sky for the month and have a conversation with a guest on the how they got involved with Astronomy.

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fradiohawkesbay.org.nz%2FProgrammes%2FDetails.aspx%3FPID%3Dfebd8513-36be-4432-bb89-2c1c6586c9cc%26fbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1cVShFwnbR2hRrFSjYrDKTTHFwz-gX0xxHcbzMhuGOVQfxSshim1tFV4E_aem_6B9lTq0bNuCCvLpToYkBFg&h=AT2e09hSrzL5Ooa9zIkKRYy11RxV8WqVxsPjSkvh1X9BRiKrjcTBpGPbqpBRYLItUrpmWl15PM5GlX2ynQ4QI7UYXo7PF8VI3F9qZVNkBxBpMzjcFfkYAkLePndC-rCMZfQezw

Bruce Ngataierua who is the Director at the Holt Planetarium hosts AstroChats where he summarizes what’s in the night sky for the month and have a conversation with a guest on the how they got involved with Astronomy.