In a galaxy not so far far away

Stardome Observatory's Planetarium shows are becoming increasingly popular. Photo / Supplied

Celebrate United Nations World Space Week from October 4 -10 - and Nasa's announcement that it may have found water on Mars - by finding out more about what might or might not be out there. The idea of space holds a fascination for many people, young and old.

Stardome

The most common contact point between many Aucklanders and the vastness of space is the Stardome Observatory and Planetarium, in the One Tree Hill Domain. The facility has been the centre of night-sky viewing and space education in the city since 1967.

Stardome CEO David Houldsworth says numbers attending the centre's planetarium shows, telescope viewings and other events has been increasing, with record visitor numbers of 150,000 people in the last 12 months. "Our mission statement is to share our love and passion for space in ways that educate and excite the public."

He says public interest in space is growing as more new discoveries are made: it might be nearly 50 years since man walked on the moon, but powerful telescopes, probes and remote exploration units are providing more and more information all the time about the solar system and beyond.

"It's just a fascination with the enormity of what's out there and the whole concept of how small we are and how amazing it is that we are what we are in the context of the vastness of the universe," Houldsworth says.

Stardome's school holiday programme this spring feeds into another fascination many kids have with the idea of space: Alien Invasion. There are two special planetarium shows, Perfect Little Planet and We Are Aliens, plus a massive alien colouring wall, plus the opportunity to make an alien mask and watch a (small-scale) live rocket launch, weather permitting.

Stardome also participates in international research, and works closely with the Auckland Astronomical Society, which originally helped to set up the facility.

The astronomical society, which has more than 700 members, also has an active programme which space enthusiasts can join. Treasurer Andrew Buckingham says the society holds regular talks, film nights, telescope viewings and a monthly Young Astronomers group, for primary and intermediate-age space fans.

"A lot of our programmes are aimed at people who are just getting started, and we really like to support beginners," Buckingham says. Members are happy to discuss telescopes and other equipment, and the society has loan telescopes for novices.

Buckingham says part of the attraction is that astronomy is one of the few sciences where amateurs can - and do - make a significant contribution to the body of knowledge. Plus, the topic is boundless.

"Every time you answer one question, you can ask ten more," he says. "Is there life out there, and where, and what sort of life is it?"

Stardome Observatory's telescope viewings are becoming increasingly popular.

Families can borrow telescopes from the observatory.

Kiwispace Foundation

While looking at the stars is all very well, many space enthusiasts are actually keen to get into space. Orcon co-founder Mark Mackay set up the Kiwispace Foundation in 2010 after selling the internet provider, to try to raise awareness of and support for the space industry in New Zealand.

The foundation runs regular meet-ups and events for space enthusiasts in Auckland. It runs an annual Space Apps "hackathon", where tertiary students are encouraged to come up with computer programmes and apps, and a rocketry competition for schoolkids with the challenge of sending up - and bringing safely down again - an "eggnaut".

"The hackathon is a way to get people thinking about space technology and software solutions, whether it's building a robot or wearable technology to benefit activities in space," Mackay says.

Mackay has attended several International Space University courses to feed his passion for space knowledge and has attended several rocket launches overseas. He is keen to get more Kiwis involved in the wider international conversation about space, especially young people looking to space as a career.

"There are so many more opportunities for people to work in the space sector than we ever imagined. I want to see people in New Zealand being more aware of that."

Te Awamutu Space Centre

If you're heading south these holidays, it's worth paying a visit to New Zealand's only private space museum.

The Te Awamutu Space Centre was set up by enthusiast Dave Owen, known to locals as "Space Dave", who decided to turn his dream of running his own space museum into a reality in 2009.

Owen originally ran the centre out of a room at his house, but last year decided to take the plunge and take on premises just south of Te Awamutu to house his collection of space memorabilia, educational and interactive displays about space exploration and the universe, and of course a telescope.

"I've just been into space my whole life and had this mad idea about fifteen years ago that I wanted to own a space museum," Owen says. "I wanted it to be a fun, educational attraction, and I think it's important to the community to have something like the available."

The centre is open most weekends and most days during the holidays (see the website for confirmed dates), as well as accommodating school groups.

"Word of mouth is working really well and we are starting to see people from further afield."

Owen says while he loves the science and technology aspects of space exploration, he's also attracted by the wider picture.

"It's the desire to learn about the unknown and answer the big questions about life and the universe. And on a day-to-day level I am really lucky that I can share that with other people."

Need to know

Astronomer Chris Lintott.

• World Space Week, October 4 -10:

• Public lecture by British astrophysicist and TV presenter Chris Lintott (host of the BBC's The Sky at Night), on 'How to discover a planet from your sofa', today, 2pm, Owen G. Glenn Building, Auckland University. Free, register at chrislintottuoa.eventbrite.co.nz science.auckland.ac.nz

• Stardome, 670 Manukau Rd, Royal Oak. School holiday programme: Alien Invasion, running weekdays until 9 October, booking essential, ph 624 1246.

• Auckland Astronomical Society, regular meetings and events at Stardome, including monthly Young Astronomers group. astronomy.org.nz.

• Kiwispace Foundation.

• Te Awamutu Space Centre, cnr Whitmore and Lyon Sts (State Highway 3), Kihikihi, Te Awamutu. See website for opening times or call (07) 870 1966.