Welcome to the webpage of the Hawkes' Bay Astronomical Society.
 

The Hawke's Bay Astronomical Society is an active club with a strong membership base. Our monthly meetings are held at the Hawke's Bay Holt Planetarium in the grounds of Napier Boys' High School, off Chambers Street, Napier (map). These take place at 7:00 PM on the second Wednesday of every month, with the exception of January. Average monthly attendances are now around 50 people per meeting. The meetings are of a relaxed nature, with members driving the topics and direction. Discussions are lively and cover everything from the oldest origins of the universe, to the latest data from unmanned probes in the far reaches of the solar system.

A range of equipment is owned by the club, including a six inch refractor, 80mm Vixen refractor with solar filter, eight inch table top Schmidt Cassegrain and a lovely hand made 16 inch reflector. These instruments are complimented by personal equipment owned by the members themselves.

We are currently working to establish a dark-sky observatory in the hills west of Napier (see Pukerangi Observatory below). Once operational, Pukerangi will host three telescopes and, eventually, an astrograph for photographic purposes.

Other club activities have included running a night school astronomy course twice a year at the Napier Boys' High School. With the current government policy, this has ended at the close of 2009. Have your say.
 

Upcoming Events: (last Update: 13/02/2010)

Next monthly meeting

The society will next meet on Wednesday 10th March, 7:00 PM at the planetarium.

The fund-raising raffles are going well and we are starting to get some $$$ in the bank towards equipment for our observatory. Bring a gold coin for your raffle entry to be drawn on the night. There will be an interesting (and sometimes, tasty) selection of prizes for the winners to choose from. Congratulations to all the winners so far! If the sky is clear, be prepared for an evening of observing out doors.

Movie Night

As part of the growing activities for the club, we are now going to run a monthly movie night. This will be at 7:00 PM at the planetarium on the Friday evening following the Wednesday meeting. The movie will be from a selection of classic Sci-fi epics - anything from the original "Flash Gordon" to "Stat Trek" and beyond. The final selection will be made at the monthly meeting prior to the movie night.

Entry by $5 donation. BYO drinks and nibbles.

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Pukerangi Observatory - Further progress.

On site construction is well under way. Fences have been built, most of the structural steelwork is in position & telescope piers are poured in concrete. Weather permitting, the roof will likely be fitted this week. My personal thanks go to all those who have contributed to this project - it has been a fantastic year for the club, and we couldn't do it without you. Financially, we have received a good injection of funds to date, but still need more $$$ to complete the project... We are not across the finish line yet.

All donations to the society of $5 or more are tax deductible and would be very gratefully received.


Above: Gary Sparks gets busy with the steelwork for Pukerangi Observatory.
Below: The building framework arrives on site ready to be set on piles.

Below: A work gang takes a break in the building frame.

Below: Fences & gates in place, roof frame running on it's tracks and a warm room installed.

Below: The architect's impression of Pukerangi Observatory.

 

In The Red.

Guest Speakers #2

Guest Speakers.

Equipment.

Top Facilities.

Pukerangi Observatory.