Meetings

Welcome to the Hibiscus Coast Astronomical Society web site. We are very active on Facebook, and you can find our Facebook Group HERE.

We meet at 7:30pm every first and third Thursday of the month at:

The Auditorium Foyer
Whangaparāoa College
8 Stanmore Bay Rd
Whangaparāoa
(Click here for map)

All welcome.

Although masks are no longer required for entry, if you feel unwell, or have any cold- or flu-like symptoms, please remain at home.

Telescope viewing is dependent on the weather and availability of the members

Celestial happenings for April 2025. Click to enlarge:

For the 2025 Almanac, click HERE

April 2025

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
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  • Introduction to Astronomy Meeting
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  • HCAS Monthly Meeting
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About

The Hibiscus Coast Astronomical Society was formed in 2018 as a club and became an incorporated society in April 2019. It is one of the newest clubs in New Zealand and has an enthusiastic membership.

Our core objective is to provide the people of the Whangaparāoa and surrounding areas with an opportunity to learn about astronomy and to share their enthusiasm with like minded people. We are a society dedicated to educating, learning and exploring the universe..

Membership

Are you fascinated by the Night Sky? Have you got an interest in Astronomy and learning more about the universe? Then membership of the Hibiscus Coast Astronomical Society (Inc) will be exactly what you are looking for.

We are a group of people who come from all walks of life that share a common interest in astronomy.

The society is an incorporated society and has a set of rules that it must adhere to in accordance with the Incorporated Societies Act. An annually elected committee run the business of the society.

We have loads of fun. We learn about the universe and what it is made from. At each meeting we have a presentation on a certain topic and these topics generally link together in a series. But it also doesn’t matter if you miss a presentation. The presenters also keep us informed of current happenings in the night sky.

We also have a Facebook page where information is shared. You don’t have to be a society member to receive information from that source.

Members receive notification of upcoming meetings via email and the subject of the presentation for that meeting. The meeting generally lasts about one and a half hours, and there is ample time for questions after the talk.

We would love for you to join us at our meetings. We have that common bond and we all share our knowledge with each other. The practical viewing times prove to be really popular and the presenters are there to help navigate around the constellations and planets.

To become a member click on the Shop link and buy a membership for the year. We have different membership types: Family and Individual. Students are welcome to join for free.

Thank you for your interest in the club and supporting us as a member. By becoming a member, you are not only growing the club, but also contributing to the ongoing education in our younger generation.

Articles

Posted on

NGC 4945: Unveiling the Mysteries of the ‘Milky Way Twin’

Compiled and Edited by James Smith Introduction Among the countless wonders in our celestial neighborhood lies a galaxy known as NGC 4945. This galaxy presents a striking parallel to our own Milky Way, earning it the moniker ‘Milky Way’s Twin.’ Positioned in the southern constellation of Centaurus, NGC 4945 is a captivating object of study, …

Continue reading “NGC 4945: Unveiling the Mysteries of the ‘Milky Way Twin’”

Posted on

The Enigmatic Rings of Jupiter: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction Our Solar System is brimming with fascinating celestial objects that continue to incite curiosity and discovery. Among them are the beautiful rings circling our gas giants, often overlooked in favor of the more prominent ones around Saturn. Jupiter, the largest planet in our Solar System, also boasts a delicate system of rings that, although …

Continue reading “The Enigmatic Rings of Jupiter: A Comprehensive Overview”

Education

The Hibiscus Coast Astronomical Society values education highly and always aim to assist schools, clubs, groups and societies with any astronomy-related talks or activities where possible.

If your school, club, group or society is wanting to contact us about possible dates, please contact us via our Contact page, or message us via our Facebook Group.