Post by glactus on Mar 28, 2010 20:36:17 GMT
Maureen's Plateau
Maureen's Plateau is situated in the North Island of New Zealand. The Astronomy Club chose a flat topped hill as its location and naming it Maureen's Plateau after a local Astronomer could not have been more appropriate.
The Astronomy Club
The Astronomy Club has 63 active members and you could count as many as 22 telescopes scattered around the plateau on any Astro night.
The Sky at Night
These evenings are special, and as well as out viewing the heavens you may watch a space movie in the modern clubrooms or listen to the 10 minute brief by a chosen visitor about the latest goings on in the world of Astronomy. Everyone brings a "plate" and supper is served at 9-30 pm, consisting of tea or coffee, and home made delights in cakes, sandwiches and cookies.
Located near the bottom of the Planet and subjected to a high annual rainfall, New Zealand experiences unique atmospheric conditions.
As the Earth's rotational velocity moves dust particles north and south from the equator like drift wood finding it's way to the sides of a fast moving stream, the build-up of particle density triggers violent Thunderstorms which cleanse the atmosphere and the sky is so crystal clear that objects such as the Jewel Box beside te Southern Cross in Crux, and the mamouth globular cluster Alpha Centauri are a sight to behold, glowing so brightly that you can almost touch them.
The Jewel Box