ASTRO SPACE NEWS

A DIVISION OF MID NORTH COAST ASTRONOMY (NSW)

(ASTRO) DAVE RENEKE

SPACE WRITER - MEDIA PERSONALITY - SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT ABC/COMMERCIAL RADIO - LECTURER - ASTRONOMY OUTREACH PROGRAMS - ASTRONOMY TOUR GUIDE - TELESCOPE SALES/SERVICE/LESSONS - MID NORTH COAST ASTRONOMY GROUP (Est. 2002)   Enquiries: (02) 6585 2260       Mobile: 0400 636 363        Email: davereneke@gmail.com

Currently, we are in our fourth year of offering 7-day all-inclusive stargazing tours on Norfolk Island, and I envision a similar program could be tailored for Fraser Island. These tours seamlessly blend education with hands-on experiences, ensuring memorable nights under the stars. We've filled these tours essentially via word of mouth with little or no heavy professional advertising. Email: davereneke@gmail .com

Oct 4. Anniversary of Sputnik 1 - Why Nobody Ever Saw It Pass Over

On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union made history by launching Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth. This tiny, spherical pioneer was only 58 centimeters (23 inches) in diameter—about the size of a beach ball—and weighed 83.6 kilograms (184 pounds). Despite its size, it sparked a global sensation, marking the dawn of the space age and fueling the Space Race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

Though many claimed to have seen Sputnik itself streaking across the night sky, this wasn't entirely accurate. The satellite was too small and lacked sufficient reflectivity to be visible to the naked eye. What observers were actually seeing was Sputnik's much larger rocket booster, which remained in orbit for a time after release. The booster was far more reflective, making it appear as a bright, moving point of light.

Although Sputnik 1 wasn't visible to human eyes, its impact was undeniable. It transmitted simple radio pulses—beep-beep-beep—that could be picked up by anyone with the right equipment. These signals, though basic, captured the imagination of millions and underscored the technological leap represented by the Soviet Union's success. Sputnik's launch didn't just open the door to human exploration of space; it profoundly shifted the geopolitical landscape and set the stage for all future space endeavors.

What's That Bright Star In The West?

Have you ever noticed that stunningly bright 'star' setting in the West and wondered what it was? Surprise—it's not a star at all! It's the planet Venus, our closest planetary neighbour and often mistaken for a UFO because of its brilliant glow and unusual movements. But don't let its beauty fool you—Venus is nothing like Earth, even though it's sometimes called our twin due to its similar size.

In mythology, Venus was named after the Goddess of Love, but in reality, this planet is far from romantic. It's a hellish world with a thick, toxic atmosphere made mostly of carbon dioxide, and its surface is covered by swirling clouds of sulphuric acid. These clouds trap heat, creating a runaway greenhouse effect that makes Venus the hottest planet in our solar system. Surface temperatures reach a scorching 900 degrees Fahrenheit—hot enough to melt lead!

Imagine standing on Venus—if you could survive the crushing pressures. On Venus, you'd weigh about 90 times more than on Earth, as if you were three kilometres beneath the ocean. The planet's surface is rusty and mountainous, with thousands of large volcanoes, some of which might still be active today. So, yes, Venus may be our "twin," but it's definitely the ugly one.

Another strange thing about Venus is its rotation. Unlike Earth, Venus spins backward, so the Sun rises in the west and sets in the east. Even more bizarre, its day is longer than its year! Venus also shows phases, just like the Moon, making it a dazzling sight through a telescope.

Throughout the year, Venus transforms from the 'Morning Star' to the 'Evening Star,' and this celestial dance has confused cultures for centuries, leading people to believe Venus was two different planets. Its breathtaking glow has sparked UFO sightings too, as its brilliance and movement make it seem otherworldly—though in some ways, it is.

The history of Venus is also tied to exploration. Captain James Cook's famous voyage to Australia in 1769 wasn't just about new lands—it was primarily to observe the Transit of Venus from Tahiti. These transits, where Venus passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, were crucial in calculating the size of the solar system. These rare events happen in pairs, eight years apart, but then over a century passes before the next one. The last transit was in 2012, and the next one won't be until 2117.

Landing on Venus is out of the question for humans. The crushing atmosphere and scorching temperatures make survival impossible. In fact, one Russian probe did manage to land on the planet decades ago, only to be destroyed within hours by the immense heat and pressure. But you can still marvel at Venus from the comfort of Earth. With just a pair of binoculars, you can spot it easily in the night sky.

Venus is a favourite target during my home astronomy visits, and I highly recommend checking it out tonight. For more information, visit my website at www.davidreneke.com or give me a call at 0400 636 363. The wonders of the universe are just a glance away!

Space Balloon Just Completed Its First Full Test Flight

Talk about floating to the top of the world. Space Perspective made the first successful full test of its 700-foot-long space balloon and eight-person capsule on Sunday. The hydrogen-filled balloon and capsule rose 100,000 feet to the edge of space and then splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico during the six-hour test. A milestone for the space tourism company, this initial test proved the concept works. It will now need to undergo successive unpiloted and piloted tests. This first successful flight should also make its space-tourism model more attractive to investors.

"Completing Development Flight 2 is a defining moment for us," said Taber MacCallum, cofounder and chief technical officer of Space Perspective in a statement. "This uncrewed flight not only proves our pioneering technology but also brings us a giant leap closer to making space accessible for everyone."

The company, based on Florida's space coast, is charging $125,000 for a seat on its eight-person Spaceship Neptune capsule. It's promising a luxe, lounge experience that includes large windows for viewing Earth and edge of space, a bar, reclining seats, and an enclosed toilet. It has partnered with Mercedes to offer a top-end Maybach EV as official transport. The company has even announced that Michelin-star chef Rasmus Monk will host and prepare a meal during the six-hour flight.

The initial flight was more than just a test: It was also the first time its MS Voyager ship, which was only recently brought to Florida, was used. The vessel was designed for launching and retrieving the balloon and capsule at sea, rather than blasting off on land.

Robb Report visited the vessel about a week before the test, as it was readied for the voyage from Florida's east coast to the Tampa area on the Gulf Coast, where the test took place. It was an impressive setup, with massive four-roller structure on the deck that resemble giant spools and a capsule at the rear where the balloon attaches. The spools slowly pay out bits of the space balloon, which is about the size of two football fields, as it's filled with hydrogen.

The visit also came on the day before a Coast Guard inspection, so dozens of workers were on the deck, preparing the vessel for both the inspection and initial balloon tests. The launch-and-retrieval vessel is the only one of its kind in the burgeoning space-balloon business to operate on water. Its competitors will launch and land from land. Space Perspective was aided by SpaceX, whose capsules also splash down into the ocean, with the design of its waterborne retrieval system and operations.

MS Voyager is also designed as a mini-mission control center. Monitoring and control equipment up on the bridge coordinate with the company's main control center in Titusville. The company said the capsule, which was filled with computers and monitoring equipment, maintained cabin pressure and stability at peak altitude.

"Our advances in marine spaceport technology, spacecraft design and flight standards are setting new standards for space exploration," said Jane Poynter, cofounder of the company, in the statement.

Data from the flight will be used for future unpiloted and piloted test flights. The company said it has raised $100 million from investors and currently has more than 1,800 ticket holders for its flights, which should begin commercial operation in 2026.

Spring astronomy in Australia offers a bonus not many other countries enjoy– crisp clear skies! Our mid -north coast skies Spring astronomy in Australia offers a bonus not many other countries enjoy– crisp clear skies! Our mid -north coast skies are sparkling now so why not get outside tonight with me under the stars from your own backyard. You won't be disappointed with so much on offer for October.

Remember, the starlight you see coming from all those constellations tonight left there hundreds, and in most cases thousands of years ago, and it's just arriving now! Remember, when you stargaze, you're looking back in time. Your telescope is your time machine, coupled with imagination it can take you anywhere!

If you're new to astronomy the hardest part is learning all those stars. Relax! It's a lot easier than you think, but you won't do it sitting inside at your keyboard and monitor. Some people say that we spend too much time indoors and not enough time observing the things around us, like the moon, stars and planets.

But what if your screen, in this case your Smartphone or tablet, can actually help you appreciate the skies more? Well they can and they're amazingly simple to use! Here's some of my favorite free apps. 'Sky View' will identify almost everything above your head at night and it's fantastic! Try 'The Moon' for your lunar viewing, then download an accurate new Aussie app 'ISS Flyover' to catch the space station passing over for a week ahead. It's a small charge but worth it.

This one is a knockout. On your tablet or laptop download an app called 'Star Chart.' It puts a virtual planetarium right in your pocket. It uses state of the art GPS technology that will show you the current location of every star and planet visible from Earth. Cool huh?

For even more realistic night sky experiences install 'Stellarium' on your laptop or iPad. I'm not going to spoil the surprise, just do it. It's free and has so much to offer you will be surprised. An alternative is the popular program 'Celestia.' A world of creative wonder awaits you.

Planets, stars, and star patterns have shaped our lives. Remember standing out in your backyard as a kid trying to count 'em all? I did. This fascination with the stars and the night sky extends to almost all indigenous cultures throughout the world. Hey, ever wondered if you can use your phone as an Astro-camera, well you can!

With most smartphones today you can photograph your night sky without needing a connected computer or much post-processing. Plus, the images you capture can be immediately shared with family and friends and posted on social media. For the best results, you should attach your phone to a camera tripod to hold it steady. Don't laugh, I've even taped mine or used Blu-Tac!

Smartphone astrophotography lets you easily record a snapshot of what you see through your telescope as well. To take any kind of image of the night sky means a long exposure, which means stability. If you're seriously keen, I recommend buying the Celestron NexYZ adapter. You can then easily start taking photos of lunar eclipses, lunar craters, planets, the phases of the Moon.

The app 'NightCap Camera' ranks highly on the list of the best night vision camera apps. With it, you can take amazing low light and night photos. All you need to do is just hold steady and tap the shutter. Simple huh!are 

How to get a haircut in space

Getting a haircut in space is a unique challenge due to the absence of gravity. In the microgravity environment of the International Space Station (ISS), floating hair clippings could pose a significant problem by getting into equipment, vents, or even astronauts' eyes or lungs. To manage this, astronauts have developed a special process for haircuts that involves creativity and, of course, a bit of vacuum power. Here's how it's done:

1. Tools of the Trade

Astronauts use standard hair clippers, similar to those on Earth, but with a crucial addition—a vacuum cleaner attached to the clippers. The vacuum ensures that stray hair doesn't drift around the station. The clippers themselves have a hose connected to a suction device, which immediately sucks up the clippings as they are trimmed.

2. Haircut Partner

While it's possible to give yourself a haircut in space, it's much easier and more common for astronauts to cut each other's hair. This team effort helps ensure even cuts and makes the process quicker. Astronauts often joke about trusting their colleagues with their space-age salon skills.

3. Vacuum Everything!

After the haircut, the entire area needs to be cleaned thoroughly to ensure no loose hairs are floating around. The vacuum plays a big role, but astronauts will also carefully inspect the area to catch any escaped clippings. Space stations rely on clean environments to keep systems running smoothly, and even a tiny hair in the wrong place could be disruptive.

4. Occasional Home Touches

Sometimes, astronauts bring personalized tools or grooming products from home to feel a little more normal, though space-adapted tools are mandatory. But in the absence of a barbershop mirror, cameras and reflective surfaces on the station help ensure they can see the results of their cosmic cuts.

5. The Results

The haircuts might not win any awards, but they get the job done! In space, practicality is key, so astronauts aren't too picky about intricate styles—just keeping things neat is enough.

Given the challenges, getting a haircut in space is an example of how astronauts adapt to everyday tasks in microgravity while making sure no stray clippings become floating nuisances!

Impending Solar Storms and Their Impact on Earth

On October 4th and 6th, two significant Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are set to collide with Earth, following two consecutive X-class solar flares (X7.1 and X9.1) from sunspot AR3842. These solar events could lead to strong geomagnetic storms, classified as G3, which may generate spectacular auroras at mid-latitudes.

Details of the Solar Events

The X7.1 flare occurred on October 2nd, followed by the X9.1 flare on October 3rd. Both events released massive amounts of solar plasma into space, with the first CME expected to reach Earth around October 4th, and the second, more potent CME expected on October 6th. The X9.1 flare caused significant ionization in the upper atmosphere, resulting in a temporary blackout of shortwave radio signals over Africa and the South Atlantic, lasting up to 30 minutes. NOAA and NASA predict that the dual CME impacts will likely enhance auroral activity, making it possible for people in mid-latitude regions to see the auroras, which are usually limited to higher latitudes.

Potential Consequences

The combined effects of the two CMEs could lead to G3-class geomagnetic storms. These storms can cause voltage irregularities in power grids, possible satellite damage or disruptions, and radio communication issues, particularly for ham operators. Communities are advised to stay informed about the solar storm's effects through local news and NOAA alerts. Precautionary measures may include reducing electrical load on power systems during peak storm times and preparing for potential short-term power outages.

Conclusion

The upcoming solar storms represent an exciting but potentially disruptive event. As the CMEs approach, increased awareness and preparedness will be crucial for minimizing impacts. Residents in areas expected to experience auroras are encouraged to take advantage of this rare opportunity while remaining informed about the associated risks.

NASA confirms space station cracking a "highest" risk and consequence problem

US space officials do not like to talk about the perils of flying astronauts on the aging International Space Station, elements of which are now more than a quarter of a century old.

However, a new report confirms that NASA managers responsible for operating the space station are seriously concerned about a small Russian part of the station, essentially a tunnel that connects a larger module to a docking port, which is leaking.

Russian and US officials have known that this small PrK module, which lies between a Progress spacecraft airlock and the Zvezda module, has been leaking since September 2019. A new report, published Thursday by NASA's inspector general, provides details not previously released by the space agency that underline the severity of the problem.

For example, in February of this year NASA identified an increase in the leak rate from less than 1 pound of atmosphere a day to 2.4 pounds a day, and in April this rate increased to 3.7 pounds a day. Despite years of investigation, neither Russian nor US officials have identified the underlying cause of the leak.

"Although the root cause of the leak remains unknown, both agencies have narrowed their focus to internal and external welds," the report, signed by Deputy Inspector General George A. Scott, states.

The plan to mitigate the risk is to keep the hatch on the Zvezda module leading to the PrK tunnel closed. Eventually, if the leak worsens further, this hatch might need to be closed permanently, reducing the number of Russian docking ports on the space station from four to three.

Publicly, NASA has sought to minimize concerns about the cracking issue because it remains, to date, confined to the PrK tunnel and has not spread to other parts of the station. Nevertheless, Ars reported in June that the cracking issue has reached the highest level of concern on the space agency's 5x5 "risk matrix" to classify the likelihood and consequence of risks to spaceflight activities. The Russian leaks are now classified as a "5" both in terms of high likelihood and high consequence.

At the time, NASA would not comment on, or confirm, the space agency's concerns about the risk matrix rating. However, the new report confirms the agency's concerns.

"In May and June 2024, ISS Program and Roscosmos officials met to discuss heightened concerns with the increased leak rate," the inspector general's report states. "The ISS Program subsequently elevated the Service Module Transfer Tunnel leak risk to the highest level of risk in its risk management system. According to NASA, Roscosmos is confident they will be able to monitor and close the hatch to the Service Module prior to the leak rate reaching an untenable level. However, NASA and Roscosmos have not reached an agreement on the point at which the leak rate is untenable."

The report comes as NASA is considering the future of the space station. The US space agency and Russia have an agreement to continue flying the station through 2028, and NASA would like to extend operations to 2030. NASA had anticipated that it would agree to this extension more than a year ago, but as of yet no agreement has been finalized.

Once the station reaches the end of its life, NASA intends to transition its activities in low-Earth orbit onto private space stations, and it has funded initial development work by Axiom Space, Northrop Grumman, Blue Origin, and Voyager Space. Northrop has since dropped out of the competition—determining that it would not be a profitable business. There is general uncertainty as to whether any of the private space station operators will be ready in 2030.

NASA's other potential option is extending the life of the space station beyond 2030, but this would require a lot of work to ensure the space station's structure remains viable and yet another extension agreement with Russia. The US partnership with that nation has been severely strained by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"Extending the ISS past 2030 will require significant funding to operate and maintain the station, acceptance of increased risk stemming from its components and aging structures, and assurances of continued support from NASA's international partners," the new report states. "Further complicating matters is the likelihood that NASA may continue to face a flat or reduced budget, inflation, and supply chain challenges."

What the 1st analysis of China's Chang'e 6 lunar far side samples revealed

Scientists have recently studied the first samples collected from the far side of the moon by China's Chang'e 6 mission. These samples are different from those collected from the near side of the moon, which may lead to new insights about the moon's history and development.

In May, China launched the Chang'e 6 mission, which lasted 53 days. The mission involved a lander that scooped and drilled samples from a region called Apollo crater. After collecting the samples, they were sent into lunar orbit and transferred to a spacecraft that brought about 4.3 pounds (1,935.3 grams) of lunar material back to Earth in late June.

Once on Earth, the samples were taken to special facilities for storage and analysis. A recent study published in National Science Review examined part of the samples collected by the robotic scoop. Researchers found that these far side samples have a lower density than those from the near side, meaning they are looser and more porous. The researchers noted that the samples would appear even fluffier in their natural state on the moon.

The soil from the far side also contains more light-colored particles like feldspar and glass compared to samples taken by the Chang'e 5 mission from the near side. This suggests that the area where the samples were collected received materials from distant impacts, such as asteroids.

Additionally, the far side samples have a lower concentration of KREEP—potassium, rare-earth elements, and phosphorus—compared to the near side. This difference might help explain why the two sides of the moon have distinct characteristics.

The researchers believe these samples will enhance our understanding of several important aspects of lunar science, including the moon's early evolution, differences in volcanic activity between the two sides, the moon's impact history, and the structure of its crust and mantle. They expect these findings to lead to new theories about the moon's origin and evolution.

Chinese researchers will soon begin studying the samples in detail, and international scientists will have the opportunity to apply for access to the samples in two years.

Earth will get another moon this month  — but not for long!

This month, Earth will grab itself a second moon in the form of the tiny asteroid 2024 PT5. Unlike the moon, Earth's primary companion which has accompanied our planet for around 4 billion years, this "new mini-moon" will stick around for just two months before it heads back to its home in an asteroid belt trailing our planet and orbiting the sun.

A team of scientists well-versed in the study of so-called "mini-moon events " identified the forthcoming gravitational capture event. They spotted the peculiar dynamic properties of 2024 PT5 as they routinely monitored newly discovered objects for potentially interesting behavior.

"The object that is going to pay us a visit belongs to the Arjuna asteroid belt, a secondary asteroid belt made of space rocks that follow orbits very similar to that of Earth at an average distance to the sun of about 93 million miles (150 million kilometers), research lead author and Universidad Complutense de Madrid professor Carlos de la Fuente Marcos told Space.com. "Objects in the Arjuna asteroid belt are part of the near-Earth object population of asteroids and comets."

Marcos explained that some of these objects in the Arjuna asteroid belt can approach Earth at a close range of around 2.8 million miles (4.5 million km) and at low velocities of around 2,200 miles per hour (3,540 km/h).

"Under these conditions, the geocentric energy of the object may grow negative, and the object may become a temporary moon of Earth. This particular object will undergo this process starting next week and for about two months," he added. "It will not follow a full orbit around Earth. "You may say that if a true satellite is like a customer buying goods inside a store, objects like 2024 PT5 are window shoppers."

A bright comet for September and October?

Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan, initially thought to be breaking up, is now confirmed to be intact and brightening. It currently shines at magnitude 5.5, making it visible to the naked eye from dark locations and easily observable with binoculars.

Observations
Recent sightings by comet expert Terry Lovejoy and amateur astronomer Colin Drescher confirm its health. Lovejoy photographed it in Queensland, Australia, on September 11, 2024, using a 135mm lens.

Brightness Predictions
While comets are unpredictable, early estimates suggest Comet A3 might reach brightness levels of magnitude 4 to 3 around its closest approach to the sun (perihelion) on September 27. It could brighten further to magnitude 2.5 to 2 during its closest approach to Earth on October 12, though actual brightness will vary.

Viewing Opportunities

  • September: Best visibility for Southern Hemisphere observers in early September. Those near the equator can start viewing mid-month, with U.S. observers able to see it from September 18 to 20.
  • October: After perihelion, Comet A3 will be harder to see as it passes between Earth and the sun. Visibility improves from October 13 to 14, as it rises higher in the western sky. By late October, it will shift into the evening sky, moving through constellations like Serpens and Ophiuchus.

In summary, while Comet A3 might not be the most spectacular comet of the century, it has the potential to be the brightest comet of 2024.

Hidden craters reveal Earth may once have had a ring – like Saturn

The rings of Saturn are some of the most famous and spectacular objects in the Solar System. Earth may once have had something similar. In a paper published last week in Earth & Planetary Science Letters, my colleagues and I present evidence that Earth may have had a ring. The existence of such a ring, forming around 466 million years ago and persisting for a few tens of millions of years, could explain several puzzles in our planet's past.

Around 466 million years ago, a lot of meteorites started hitting Earth. We know this because many impact craters formed in a geologically brief period. In the same period we also find deposits of limestone across Europe, Russia and China containing very high levels of debris from a certain type of meteorite. The meteorite debris in these sedimentary rocks show signs that they were exposed to space radiation for much less time than we see in meteorites that fall today.

Many tsunamis also occurred at this time, as can be seen from other unusual jumbled up sedimentary rocks. We think all these features are likely related to one another. But what links them together? We know of 21 meteorite impact craters that formed during this high-impact period. We wanted to see if there was a pattern in their locations.

Using models of how Earth's tectonic plates moved in the past, we mapped out where all these craters were when they first formed. We found all of the craters are on continents that were close to the equator in this period, and none are in places that were closer to the poles. So all the impacts occurred close to the equator. But is this actually a fair sample of the impacts that occurred?

Well, we measured how much of Earth's land surface suitable for preserving a crater was near the equator at that time. Only about 30% of the suitable land was close to the equator, with 70% at higher latitudes. Under normal circumstances, asteroids hitting Earth can hit at any latitude, at random, as we see in craters on the Moon, Mars and Mercury. Impact craters on the far side of the Moon are quite evenly distributed. 

So it's extremely unlikely that all 21 craters from this period would form close to the equator if they were unrelated to one another. We would expect to see many other craters at higher latitudes as well. We think the best explanation for all this evidence is that a large asteroid broke up during a close encounter with Earth. Over several tens of millions of years, the asteroid's debris rained down onto Earth, creating the pattern of craters, sediments and tsunamis we describe above.

You may know that Saturn isn't the only planet with rings. Jupiter, Neptune and Uranus have less obvious rings, too. Some scientists have even suggested that Phobos and Deimos, the small moons of Mars, may be remnants of an ancient ring. So we know a lot about how rings form. Here's how it works.

When a small body (like an asteroid) passes close to a large body (like a planet), it gets stretched by gravity. If it gets close enough (inside a distance called the Roche limit), the small body will break apart into lots of tiny pieces and a small number of bigger pieces.

All those fragments will be jostled around and gradually evolved into a debris ring orbiting the equator of the larger body. Over time, the material in the ring will fall down to the larger body, where the larger pieces will form impact craters. These craters will be located close to the equator.

So if Earth destroyed and captured a passing asteroid around 466 million years ago, it would explain the anomalous locations of the impact craters, the meteorite debris in sedimentary rocks, craters and tsunamis, and the meteorites' relatively brief exposure to space radiation. Back then, the continents were in different positions due to continental drift. Much of North America, Europe and Australia were close to the equator, whereas Africa and South America were at higher southern latitudes.

The ring would have been around the equator. And since Earth's axis is tilted relative to its orbit around the Sun, the ring would have shaded parts of Earth's surface. This shading in turn might have caused global cooling, as less sunlight reached the planet's surface. This brings us to another interesting puzzle. Around 465 million years ago, our planet began cooling dramatically. By 445 million years ago it was in the Hirnantian Ice Age, the coldest period in the past half a billion years.

Was a ring shading Earth responsible for this extreme cooling? The next step in our scientific sleuthing is to make mathematical models of how asteroids break up and disperse, and how the resulting ring evolves over time. This will set the scene for climate modelling that explores how much cooling could be imposed by such a ring.


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'ASTRO DAVE' RENEKE - A Personal Perspective

I've often been asked what I do, where I've been and what sort of activities I've engaged in throughout my 50 years involvement in astronomy and space. Here is an interview i did with Delving with Des Kennedy on Rhema 99.9 recently. 

David Reneke, a highly regarded Australian amateur astronomer and lecturer with over 50 years of experience, has established himself as a prominent figure in the field of astronomy. With affiliations to leading global astronomical institutions, David serves as the Editor for Australia's Astro-Space News Magazine and has previously held key editorial roles with Sky & Space Magazine and Australasian Science magazine.

His extensive background includes teaching astronomy at the college level, being a featured speaker at astronomy conventions across Australia, and contributing as a science correspondent for both ABC and commercial radio stations. David's weekly radio interviews, reaching around 3 million listeners, cover the latest developments in astronomy and space exploration.

As a media personality, David's presence extends to regional, national, and international TV, with appearances on prominent platforms such as Good Morning America, American MSNBC news, the BBC, and Sky News in Australia. His own radio program has earned him major Australasian awards for outstanding service.

David is recognized for his engaging and unique style of presenting astronomy and space discovery, having entertained and educated large audiences throughout Australia. In addition to his presentations, he produces educational materials for beginners and runs a popular radio program in Hastings, NSW, with a substantial following and multiple awards for his radio presentations.

In 2004, David initiated the 'Astronomy Outreach' program, touring primary and secondary schools in NSW to provide an interactive astronomy and space education experience. Sponsored by Tasco Australia, Austar, and Discovery Science channel, the program donated telescopes and grants to schools during a special tour in 2009, contributing to the promotion of astronomy education in Australia. BELOW Is the recorded interview  

INTRODUCING OUR NEW PARTNER & ASTRO SUPPLIER

Many thanks to Peter and the crew at ASTRO ANARCHY Queensland. A New business with the amateur astronomer firmly in mind.  Astro Anarchy has the experience, the stock and the knowledge to set up the first timer, to assist in the development of our hobby for the experienced observer OR cater to any other size need or desire in the field of amateur astronomy. 

ATRO ANARCHY AS OUR SPONSOR: My business partner Peter Davies and I have set up a new Astro Tourism business focusing on the recently 'Dark Sky Town' accredited to Norfolk Island. We call it 'Norfolk Island STARGAZING'. When approached, Pete from Astro Anarchy had no hesitation in organizing and supplying all our Telescopes, Binoculars and associated gear to get started. Nothing was any trouble allowing us more than enough time to set up and become fully operational. He and he and his business come highly recommended for anyone wanting any astronomical gear in Australia.

Web: https://www.astroanarchy.com.au/    Sales: sales@astroanarchy.com.au   Phone: 0412 085 224


'Astro Dave' Is Radio-Active 

Heard On DOZENS Of Stations Weekly - CLICK for past interviews