In New Zealand, astronomers and their telescopes are thick on the ground.
The Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand, founded in 1920, has 22 affiliated societies. The Auckland Astronomical Society has 600 members. The Wellington, Canterbury and Otago branches have hundreds more. The Hibiscus Coast Astronomical Society on the North Shore of Auckland has 60 members, the Timaru branch has 40 and a handful of astronomers meet regularly on Stewart Island. Members of these societies or clubs meet monthly, weekly or nightly, if it's a cloudless sky.
Our biggest telescope is at Canterbury University's observatory atop Mt John and there are another four smaller telescopes up there as well. With commanding views of the Southern Alps and overlooking Lake Tekapo, Mt John has been described as one of the prettiest places on Earth. Astronomers there recently reported on two stars exploding 11.5 billion light-years away - an event that happened long before our solar system was created.
This story is from the April 9 - 15, 2022 edition of New Zealand Listener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 9 - 15, 2022 edition of New Zealand Listener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
