Exploring the History of New Zealand Astronomy
Exploring the History of New Zealand Astronomy

Author: Wayne Orchiston

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2015-12-08

Total Pages: 707

ISBN-13: 3319225669

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Dr. Orchiston is a foremost authority on the subject of New Zealand astronomy, and here are the collected papers of his fruitful studies in this area, including both those published many years ago and new material. The papers herein review traditional Maori astronomy, examine the appearance of nautical astronomy practiced by Cook and his astronomers on their various stopovers in New Zealand during their three voyagers to the South Seas, and also explore notable nineteenth century New Zealand observatories historically, from significant telescopes now located in New Zealand to local and international observations made during the 1874 and 1882 transits of Venus and the nineteenth and twentieth century preoccupation of New Zealand amateur astronomers with comets and meteors. New Zealand astronomy has a truly rich history, extending from the Maori civilization in pre-European times through to the years when explorers and navigators discovered the region, up to pioneering research on the newly emerging field of radio astronomy during WWII and in the immediate post-war years. A complete survey of a neglected but rich national astronomical history, this does the subject full and comprehensive justice.

Exploration of Halley’s Comet
Exploration of Halley’s Comet

Author: Michael Grewing

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 1005

ISBN-13: 3642829716

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The 1985/86 apparition of Halley's Comet turned out to be the most important apparition of a comet ever. It provided a worldwide science community with a wealth of exciting new discoveries, the most remarkable of which was undoubtedly the first image of a cometary nucleus. Halley's Comet is the brightest periodic comet, and the most famous of the 750 known comets. With its 76-year period, its recent appearance was truly a "once-in-a-lifetime" observational opportunity. The 1985/86 apparition was the thirtieth consecutive recorded apparition. Five apparitions ago, the English astronomer Edmond Halley discovered the periodicity of "his" comet and correctly predicted its return in 1758, a triumph for science best appreciated in the context of contemporary views, or rather fears, about comets at that time. The increasingly rapid progress in technological development is very much apparent when one compares the dominant tools for cometary research during Halley's next three apparitions: in 1835 studies were made based on drawings ofthe comet; in 1910 photographic plates were used; while in March 1986 an armada of six spacecraft from four space agencies approached the comet and carried out in situ measurements, 1 AU from the Earth. In 1910, nobody could have dreamed that this was possible, and today it is equally difficult to anticipate what scientists will be able to achieve in 2061.

A Comet in the Sky
A Comet in the Sky

Author: Phyllis Johnston

Publisher:

Published: 2017

Total Pages: 160

ISBN-13:

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This is the third book about the pioneer Tarrant family in the King Country, New Zealand. It is 1909 and May is eleven. Putting out a fire at school, rat hunting, and being caned by her teacher for helping her friends in class are part of May's standard four year. In 1910, May sees Halley's comet and also helps to nurse her sick mother. May tries to get good marks in her standard five year at school, but because of a present she receives, all the standards get into trouble with their strict teacher. May's life is affected by the progress made on the bush farms of Piopio. Change comes suddenly and quickly and May realises she is nearly grown up and must think about going out to work.