Phoenix Astronomical Society meetings - May 2011

[The Phoenix Astronomical Society]

Phoenix Astronomical May 2011 meetings

Carter Observatory Planetarium.
Dr. Claire Bretherton, Education & Public Programmes Manager, Carter
Observatory

As many will be at RASNZ Conference, for this month’s Wellington
meeting Dr. Claire Bretherton will do a short taster session in the
planetarium at Carter Observatory, followed by supper, a look around
and the documentary.


A Book Review: The Coming Famine - The Global Food Crisis and What We
Can Do to Avoid It. Gerry Eady, Masterton

For the Wairarapa meeting Gerry will review Julian Cribb's 2010
publication The Coming Famine-The Global Food Crisis and What We Can
Do to Avoid It. A Spanish proverb says "Civilisation and Anarchy are
just seven meals apart". Cribb writes his book as "A Wake Up Call to
every Human Being". Doomsday scenarios are all too common in our
history, but Cribb, in suggesting World Famine will be reality by
2050, packs his book with fact after fact, indicating we are already
in the early stages of such a catastrophe, firstly by the growing
shortage of adequate food and water, and secondly by the increasing
scarcity of what is required to produce those essential items. There
are options to avoid such a situation, but are we likely to listen, or
act?

Documentary
How the Universe Works: Episode 5 – Supernovas
A speculative investigation into the phenomenon known as supernovas -
massive explosions that scatter elements around the universe, asking
what they reveal about the origins of life on Earth.

============================================================
Wellington Society Meeting
Thursday May 26th 7:30pm, Carter Observatory, Wellington

7:30 pm Society News
7:45 pm Carter Observatory Planetarium
8:45 pm Supper and social time
9:00 pm Documentary: Supernovas

============================================================
Wairarapa Society Meeting
Friday May 27th at 7:30pm, Phoenix Clubrooms, Ahiaruhi, Wairarapa

7:30 pm Society News
7:45 pm Book Review
8:45 pm Supper and social time
9:00 pm Documentary: Supernovas
Observing will follow the meeting if it is clear.


Star Party Saturday May 28th from 6pm (Rain or Shine):
This year the lunar cycle allows us to once again place the monthly
star party the Saturday directly after Wairarapa meeting. This means
we get two shots at a clear, dark sky each month without interruption
from the moon.

As we move into autumn we bid farewell to the summer Milky Way. The
realm of the galaxies is almost upon us in the form of the
constellations of Leo and Virgo. We’ll start the evening with dinner
at the Gladstone pub before taking a close up look at the
constellations and galaxies of autumn. In the case of poor weather we
will start the movie a little earlier.

We‘ll be playing a late night movie from 10pm to keep entertained
those people too tired or cold to observe. If the weather‘s rubbish
we‘ll start it a bit earlier.

6:00 pm Dinner - Gladstone Pub
7:30 pm Tour through Leo and Virgo (live planetarium)
8:00 pm Observing: Leo and Virgo
10:00 pm Movie

CANCELLATION warning: In the case of extreme weather we will cancel
evenings – we don’t want anyone getting hurt on their way to the
observatory. Notices will be posted on our web site and also be sent
via Phoenix Announcements. If you’re in any doubt, please phone or
text Antony Gomez on 021-253-4979 or Richard Hall on 027-2305-191.

If you’re not receiving these then please join: Phoenix Announcements
http://groups.google.com/group/phoenix-astro-announcement?lnk=srg