Oxford Observatory overcomes challenges

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

The Oxford community is ready to cash in on a growing interest in astronomy.

Oxford Area School Observatory volunteer Raul Elias-Drago says the team has come through Covid-19 disruptions and is stronger than ever.

After holding just one open night in 2021, the observatory lost some key volunteers and fellow volunteer Erik Vermaat admits the team came close to throwing in the towel.

But last year the weather played ball and the observatory had its best stargazing season in 16 years of operation.

‘‘It was our best year so far with attendance and we even had to put people on a waiting list because of the demand,’’ Elias-Drago said.

After two years of virtually no income, the team has been able to fund some much needed maintenance.

Now the eight-strong team of volunteers is planning for the future.
Prior to Covid, previous observatory volunteers discussed options with the Waimakariri District Council for protecting the night sky from light pollution.

A council spokesperson said the council was gradually converting street lights to 3000K LED lighting, in line recommendations by the International Dark-Sky Association.

A ‘‘Light Protection Area Overlay’’ provision has been included in the Proposed Waimakariri District Plan, including rules for shielding and timing of outdoor lighting near the Oxford Observatory.

Conversations were also ongoing with Enterprise North Canterbury to explore funding sources to extend its education programme, with the possibility of astrotourism in the longer term.

Elias-Drago said open evenings have been pencilled in across 16 weekends between April and August this year.

Two early morning sessions were also planned in July to view Matariki.
A solar filter has been purchased, so solar observation sessions could be offered during the day.

Astrophotography sessions were also being planned and the volunteers were keen to buy a second telescope to increase capacity.

Alongside the open nights were the astronomy courses offered by Vermaat.
Covid disruptions forced the classes to go online two years ago and this has proved to be a success, he said.

‘‘I have people from Auckland and around the South Island taking the courses and hopefully we will get people from overseas,’’ Vermaat said.

The courses begin with ‘‘exploring the solar system’’ in term one, kicking off on February 14.

A second course, ‘‘exploring the universe’’ will continue over terms two, three and four.

He said the courses were open to all ages, from young children to retired folk.

‘‘I talk a lot about the underlying physics. Once we leave the solar system, you really need the physics like ‘what is spectroscopy?’.

‘‘I bring physics back to the very basics and in normal English. I talk about the history of science and how we as humans initially discovered things, where we are now and what we can expect over the next few years.’’

The observatory was also helping the school to reconnect with international student exchanges, Elias-Drago said.

■ For more information about the observatory, open nights and to enrol for courses, follow Oxford Observatory on Facebook or go to oxford.ngawhetu.nz.

■ Public interest journalism is funded by New Zealand on Air.