Te Awamutu Space Centre

09/06/2026

Have you seen Jupiter and Venus shining brightly in the evening sky? They're visible in the west as soon as it gets dark, until about 7:30pm when they set (depending on how clear your horizon is). Mercury is also there, just a bit harder to see.

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.