Te Awamutu Space Centre

09/04/2026

Artemis is bringing all the media enquiries - Dave's in the Waikato Times today and he'll be on RNZ's The Panel tonight at 6:50pm.

05/04/2026

We're watching live feeds from the Artemis Moon mission every day this week, so it's a great time to visit the space centre! The lunar flyby is tomorrow (Tuesday) but it really doesn't matter when you come. Don't bother trying to "time it right" - any day will be fine. Book at spacecentre.nz/book/visit

26/03/2026

I've just watched an interview with Fraser Cain and Prof Laura Revell of the University of Canterbury, about the effects of the satellite industry on Earth's atmosphere. It's an important topic that isn't getting enough attention, so if you have half an hour, it's well worth watching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w677o1jHYmk

Summary for the impatient: While things are ok for now, Prof Revell is concerned about the future of satellite deployment, absence of regulation, lack of data, and the possibility of serious consequences. Not exactly uplifting stuff, but you'd probably be doom-scrolling anyway so you might as well watch this one.

🔴 [Interview+] No YT ads. Bonus Part. FREE for everyonehttps://www.patreon.com/posts/153622641The number of satellites has grown dramatically and it will co...

01/03/2026

For the lunar eclipse tomorrow night (3rd March), Hamilton Observatory is running a public event. Entry is free for members, gold coin donation for everyone else.

Location: Hamilton Observatory, 183 Brymer Road
Start time: 9:00 pm (Tuesday 3rd March)
Eclipse begins: 9:44 pm
Maximum: 12:33 am
Eclipse ends: 3:23 am

If you can't make it to the observatory, you can just watch it yourself - the only equipment you need is at least one functioning eye.

BTW, it's not uncommon for people to ask why we're holding the event at such an inconvenient time. We once got a negative review because someone thought the event should be on a weekend, so it would be suitable for children. Please don't be that person.

Wherever you are, enjoy the eclipse!

06/01/2026

The Sun is very active right now, with some spectacular flares. Call in and have a look through our solar telescope! It's hard to say how long this will last, so feel free to ring and ask if it's still happening (07-870-1966).

29/11/2025

Today Dave is with his solar telescope at “Rose Sunday”, the annual celebration of roses at Te Awamutu Rose Garden. There are lots of displays, stalls, games and things for all the family. Call in for a look at the Sun and all the stuff.

21/09/2025

Here's a simulation of tomorrow morning's eclipse that you probably won't see because it will be too cloudy. In the event of a weather miracle, we'll be open at the Space Centre with eclipse viewers for free viewing (don't look at the Sun without proper protection).
NOTE: The times are for Wellington - it will be pretty close around the North Island but a bit later farther down the South Island.

19/09/2025

The Sun is very active right now with lots of solar flares. If you're passing through Kihikihi, please stop and have a free look through our solar telescope. Honestly, it's worth making the effort while the Sun is at its best (Solar Maximum).

Te Awamutu Space Centre is an inspiring educational attraction for all ages.

08/09/2025

This Wednesday 10th September at 7:30pm, we're hosting the monthly meeting for Hamilton Astronomical Society (the organisation that runs Hamilton Observatory). The guest speaker is Dr Chris Benton, the topic is Stellar & Exoplanetary Spectroscopy (details below).

We have 20 spare seats for non-members, which we'd like to offer to the first 20 people to take up the offer. Entry is free; koha is appreciated but not expected. Please read the details below to see if this event would interest you, then comment on this post or message us with the number of people you'd like to bring. First in, first served.

About the event: This is a normal monthly meeting, which will provide a good taste of what the society offers. After the meeting and presentation, the Space Centre will remain open for you to have a look around and engage with the activities.

About the presentation: Learn how astronomers read the light from stars to measure their temperature, composition, rotation and much more, plus the atmospheres of distant exoplanets. We start by explaining how and why atoms absorb and emit light at specific wavelengths before discussing how a prism splits light into its various colours to determine a star's many properties. This will include a demonstration of a prism and calculating our Sun's surface temperature, plus images and step-by-step analysis of spectra taken with a local amateur spectrograph. Our discussions will then delve deeper into measuring magnetic fields and surface gravity of stars using this simple technique, before discussing the process and frustrations with analysing the atmospheres of planets beyond our solar system.

13/04/2025

Tonight should be a good chance to see the International Space Station (ISS). At about 7:10 pm, look to the northwest horizon. The station will appear below Jupiter and move up past Orion, going almost directly overhead. It will disappear five minutes later as it passes between the Moon and the Southern Cross.

13/03/2025

The weather looks good for tonight's lunar eclipse. Instructions are very simple:
(1) Is it between 7:45 pm and 9:45 pm?
(2) If so, look at the Moon.
(3) Optionally, take a photo and post it in the comments here.

Hamilton Astronomical Society is having a public viewing session from 7 pm. Members are free, gold coin donation for everyone else.