Australian Sky & Telescope - 04.2019

74 AUSTRALIAN SKY & TELESCOPE April 2019

Activities for amateurs

Gettinginvolvedinamateurastronomy

T

herearelotsofwaystoparticipate

inamateurastronomy,whether

it be joining an astronomical

society, attending a star party, taking

part in citizen science projects or

helping to promote the wonder of

astronomy to the wider public. Here are

details of just two events in which you

cantakepart,andthereareplentymore

listed in the calendar below:

International Dark Sky Week will

take place between March 31 and April

7thisyear,withthecontinuingaimof

preserving the night sky and improving

access for stargazing. There are plenty

of ways in which you can get involved,

including citizen science projects. Learn

more atdarksky.org.

The29thNationalAustralian

Convention of Amateur Astronomers

(NACAA) will be held in Parkes, NSW,

over the Easter long weekend, April

10-13, 2020, and hosted by the Central

West Astronomical Society. Parkes, of

course, is home to the world-famous

CSIRO radio observatory. NACAA has

been held regularly since 1967, and

hasbecomeanimportantnational

forum for serious amateur astronomers

to report on observation campaigns,

keep up with the latest technologies

and foster co-operation between

individuals, societies and professional

astronomers. Register your email

address atnacaa.org.aufor regular

updates.

NIGHT LIFE

ESO/B. TAFRESHI (TWANIGHT.ORG)

WA Astrofest

March 16

A family friendly astronomy festival held in

Perth.

astronomywa.net.au

World Science Festival Brisbane

March 20–24

Multiple activities, including a headline Mars

presentation.

worldsciencefestival.com.au

Earth Hour Open Night

March 30

Free family stargazing event with Sydney’s

Sutherland Astronomical Society.

sasi.net.au

International Dark Sky Week

March 31–April 7

Global effort to fight light pollution.

darksky.org

Yuri’s Night

April 12

Annual worldwide celebration of space on

the anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s flight.

yurisnight.net

South Pacific Star Party

May 2–5

Annual star party of the Astronomical Society

of NSW.

asnsw.com/spsp

RASNZ Conference

May 17–19

New Zealand’s annual astro gathering, this

year to be held in New Plymouth.

rasnz.org.nz/32-conference

Occultation Symposium

May 20–21

For serious occultation observers and

researchers.

rasnz.org.nz

Asteroid Day

June 30

A global day of education to help protect

Earth from asteroids.

asteroidday.org

National Science Week

August 10–18

Includes lots of astro events. Keep visiting

the website for the latest info.

scienceweek.net.au

Astro Rocks Fest

September 20–22

Family weekend of both astro and geo fun at

Mt Magnet, WA.

mtmagnet-astrorocks.com

International Observe the Moon

Night

October 5

Annual event to encourage observation and

understanding of our Moon.

facebook.com/observethemoon/

NZ Starlight Conference

October 20–23

The theme is ‘Towards a Dark Sky Nation’.

starlightconference.org

NZ Starlight Festival

October 24–25

Held at the Aoraki Mackenzie International

Dark Sky Reserve.

starlightconference.org

NACAA XXIX

April 10–13, 2020

Biennial amateur astronomy convention, to

be held in Parkes, NSW.

nacaa.org.au

WHAT’S UP? Do you have an event or activity coming up? Email us at [email protected]