Oxford Observatory overcomes challenges
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.
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I am lighter than air, but a hundred people cannot lift me. What am I?
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Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱
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47.9% Yes
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50.2% No
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1.9% Other - I'll share below
Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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