10
COROMANDEL LIFE
SPRING 2013
behold
THE wonder
OF
the universe
How many stars do you suppose Alastair
Brickell had to wish upon before a dream to
have his own observatory and planetarium
would come true? Lots I imagine, but now this
geologist and astronomy enthusiast is living that
dream, and it’s called Stargazers B&B.
Alastair now exalts in sharing both this idyllic
spot in the sheltered Kuaotunu valley and his
impressive knowledge of telescopes and the
vastness of space.
New Zealand born, Alastair’s passion for the
stars was fuelled at an early age by the ’60s
space race. He recalls memories of growing up
in Montreal, “I was ten when I saw the first fuzzy
picture of the back side of the moon – October,
1959”. He remembers anticipating the first
historic photos from Mars... “and that first live
TV broadcast from the moon’s surface!”
Alastair watched the overhead passing of the
first Sputniks and Echo 1 satellite and even
Photo by Ken Zhong
I was rapt to go along with the Kuaotunu Garden Group on a
visit to Stargazers B&B. Despite cloudy weather, which hindered
viewing through the telescope, we still had a fabulous time.
by Sandra Scott
than the northern hemisphere. Daytime viewing
of bright stars, planets and the Sun is also
possible using special filters.
There is plenty of outdoor seating, and sturdy
concrete telescope piers with power, enabling
guests to mount their own telescopes or
binoculars. Here, we heard Alastair’s
explanations of complicated scientific matters
which he managed to make understandable –
helping us get our heads around the vast,
almost incomprehensible distances in space, by
bringing them down to our level, with humour.
With Alastair’s guidance, you can’t help but get
excited by the wonders of the universe.
THE INNER SANCTUM
Down the steps to the house is Alastair’s
spacious observatory office, bedecked with
astronomical posters and shelves of books, an
ideal set-up for teaching. “Part of my goal was
to share all this with the kids,” he admits. And
what an opportunity he provides – the perfect
educational field trip for students. You also get
a glimpse at his other passion here – geology.
He displays rocks from around the globe and
meteorites from the outer reaches of space.
At the heart of this room stands the first
planetarium in NZ, the Spitz A2, partly designed
by Albert Einstein and originally located in the
Auckland War Memorial Museum. Currently
undergoing restoration, this classic contraption
projects the night sky onto a dome-shaped
screen, giving the appearance of stars and
planets moving across the sky.
It will be used to for daytime astronomy shows
and night ‘tours’ when the sky outside is cloudy.
This project offers yet another educational
experience for students. “There is only one
other of these historic machines still operating
in the world,” says Alastair.
BOOK A STARGAZING EVENT
Bring the entire family or a group like we did.
Book now for exciting ‘sky events’ coming up
this Summer. If the weather doesn’t cooperate,
Alastair is fine with rescheduling or come
anyway and enjoy the other options we’ve
mentioned. Alastair even provides a fun fold-up
takeaway which turns into a functional sundial
– sure to entertain back at home.
Depending on time of day or night, and weather
conditions, a selection of celestial treats may
include sightings of our sun and closest stars,
galaxies you’ve only heard about, and, if you’re
lucky, Jupiter’s moons, Saturn with its rings and
travelled to Cape Canaveral in 1971 to watch
the launch of the Apollo 14 moon rocket. “I still
enjoy the satellites with up to 5 visible at the
same time here sometimes.”
“I purchased my first telescope in Canberra
when I was 23.” He still has it! Now, amongst
his amazing array of optical tools, he also owns
“the largest telescope on the Coromandel
Peninsula”. It’s housed in a solar powered
dome located on a spacious deck above the
main house.
It easily accommodated our group of twenty,
although Alastair says, “The ideal size for more
interaction is about six to allow each to have
more time looking through the telescopes.”
SECLUDED WITH THE STARS
Away from any ambient light, this site offers
ideal dark sky conditions for visitors to observe
the glory of the southern heavens, which
Alastair finds can be much more interesting
1. Alastair in the observatory dome with the ‘largest
telescope on the Coromandel’.
2. The first planetarium in New Zealand, this Spitz A2 is
currently undergoing restoration.
