Mid North Coast Science Week a Big Success
Dave's assisted in the creative workshops
We’ve had a fantastic July and August doing talks for service groups and schools in and around the Hastings and Macleay Valley areas.
The number of inquiries for a astronomy talks is increasing and we’re looking for people within the Hastings region of NSW who might like to work with us running sevarl of these shows through the year.
They are currently paying $600 per day so it may be an interesting second income for anyone local, or in my immediate area. No previous experience required.
Along with 4 talks to Apex, Rotary, Probus and Lions clubs in July Dave ran a successful evening for the Wauchope Girl Guides at their jamboree. 180 people attended and the night was spent under the stars in some of the best and darkest parts of the mid north coast.
A great day was spent at Stuart’s Point NSW Friday August 25 when Dave was invited to run a huge astronomy day and night for four combined schools to celebrate their ‘Yarrahappini Science Fair’ during Science Week.
220 kids in attendance and Dave ran a series of slide shows with astronomy workshops in between before taking a break and setting up on the oval for a full on night of telescope viewing for all the Mums and Dads.
The room was filled to capacity and 80 or so local families enjoyed a great entertaining night under the stars.
The rest of August is likewise full for Dave and we’re currently gearing up for a huge day in Port Macquarie NSW as Dave introduces his inaugural ‘Telescope Amnesty’ asking for unwanted telescopes to be donated so he can pass them on to various regional schools.
The day will be filled with solar viewing on Port Macquarie’s Town Green with telescopes on view and for sale on the day.
PLUS Dave will be holding a special telescope ‘clinic’ offering to repair or adjust anyone’s scope or to advise them on how to use the one they have to better advantage.
Initial interest is high and it promises to be a busy day. Again, a position is available for a local astronomer to assist on the day, so a good chance to pick up around $300 for a few hours work showing people through a reflecting telescope.
For the remainder of the year Dave has a number of invitations to run astronomy talks to local Hastings schools and again, several more service clubs between Port Macquarie and Foster have booked Dave to talk to their members about astronomer and explain some of the current discoveries being made by the Curiosity rove ron Mars.
Dave has a new and exciting program focusing heavily on Mars (no old, overdone and blurry 3D images to strain at) and concentrate on our future on the Red Planet. Dave uses the most up to date NASA imagery and you’ll be surprised at the quality of the images via a powerful and sound effect enhanced Power Point program.
This program is currently on show around the district so see he following story for a few more details on how you and your family can take part.
All in all Science Week has been tremendously received and the majority of places Dave has visited this year have already pre-booked for 2013 and extra paid staff assistance will no doubt be sought for an early New Year start.
So as they say, things are looking up for astronomy in the Hastings. We’re currently the only ones doing this type of work in he region so any enquiries can be made directly to Dave at davereneke@gmail.com
Our Astronomy Nights Still Thrill.
Young people are especially catered for at our Astro Nights.
You'll even get to hold a real 4.5 billion year old meteorite!
Now, If you are fan of star gazing, astronomy or “The Big Bang Theory,” or are looking for an excuse to cuddle with your honey under the stars, Tuesday nights are evenings for you in Port Macquarie. Catch Dave’s famous ‘Secrets of the Universe’ PowerPoint slide talk. You’ll be amazed at what you see and hear!
Suitable for those with little or no knowledge of astronomy, you’ll learn how the universe was created. You’ll discover the wonder and beauty of stars, star clusters, galaxies, and black holes – and hear about the latest discoveries in space and astronomy… you’ll even get to hold a real meteorite! PLUS much more! Hear astronomy from a world renowned expert – not from self-taught amateurs or night school students.
We have easy access, no crowding, toilet facilities and more!!! Kids love the show as well with free space activity sheets for them to take home, special space ‘rewards’ given out for right answers and plenty of space fun! Oh, we’re air conditioned as well!
For the ‘astro buff’ we’ve got a great range of astronomy DVDs, books, magazines, starter packs, star maps, interactive space CD Roms, and more… we sell two dozen star maps every session!!! After the show you will have a chance to peer through the telescope with viewings of the moon, stars and planets, and a laser guided tour of the night sky.
"Is that Jupiter...?" Yep, sure is. This is a common reaction.
We’ll even take a group photo of you all and emal it to you on the spot as a souvenir of your visit with us.
PLUS … Win a fabulous astronomy triple DVD set in our ‘Astro Raffle’ – which drawn on the night. The telescope Viewing & Laser Guided Sky Tour to Follow. You will not hear or see anything like this anywhere in the world, we promise.
Why settle for dry presentations you see running everywhere else when you can experience the exuberance Dave gives in his unique lectures. Some of the things you’ll hear will jolt you! Some will surprise you and other facts on the night will make you shake your head with wonder.
Why Not Take Your Own ASTRO PHOTO?
Take your very own skyshot of the Moon or planets ...even the Milky Way, and we'll email it to you the same night..for FREE
Now kids (and adults) can take their own astronomy photos of what they are viewing. We think we’re unique in being able to offer you this unique service!
Imagine being able to take home your very own hand-made photo of giant Moon craters you were looking at, or huge rift valleys hundreds of kilometres long! With our specially equipped telescopes and our exclusive ‘Astro Cam’ attached you can.
With one click of the shutter you can take your very own night sky pic and we’ll email it immediately to your inbox so you’re special memento is waiting for you when you arrive home from your holiday.
You can even get us to take a group shot of you and friends or family. Yep, we’ll email it to you the same night too.
Grab a fantastic shot of the full moon, then, turn the scope to a star cluster or nebula…or one of the planets! WOW, you could even take a shot of Jupiter with it’s four moons circling or spin around and snap a pic of Saturn and it’s rings. The choices are endless.
Just let us know ahead of time OK? By the way, we’ve got a real large meteorite to show you on the night. Pick it up, marvel at it, then give it back because we’re watching you OK .. heh heh
Book ahead to Dave on 0400 636 363 to reserve your FREE $25 Astro-Pack!
* All teachers receive one of our specially prepared ”Educator’s Packs’ courtesy of our sponsors, the SKA Project
Rain, hail or shine it’s on. Kids welcome. Kids also get FREE colouring in and Astronomy Fact Sheets. For early-birds, from 6.45pm, there’s a short astronomy DVD playing – a must for anyone interested in space & astronomy! Admission is $8 per person or just $25 for a family of four. Running time’s a bit over one hour and a half so you’re in bed by 9pm.
Every Thursday Night At The ‘Port Pacific Hotel’ Port Macquarie NSW. Video 6.45pm – Show 7pm .
Enquiries: (email: davereneke@gmail.com)
