Astronomy Presentation and African Night Sky Telescope Viewing

Site:	Ravineside Lodge – Entabeni Safari Conservancy
Instrument:	6 inch Astrophysics Refractor
Aspects:	Excellent views of moon, planets and other celestial objects
Venue:	Open air boma (Astro Boma) with unobstructed 180 degree view of the sky situated at the eastern foot of Entabeni mountain overlooking the upper escarpment plains. Very private, excellent ambience with konka fires, dinner and star studded dark skies overhead. Stunning sunsets and romantic moonrises on most evenings.
Site:	Leopard’s View – ZEBRA COUNTRY LODGE
Instrument:	25 inch Obsession telescope. Newtonian reflector on Dobsonian Mount.
Aspects:	One of the largest privately owned telescopes in South Africa. Manually operated – no motors. Excellent views of moon planets and other celestial objects
Venue:	Open air boma (Astro Boma) with unobstructed 180 degree view of the sky. Situated atop a high mountain overlooking the plains. Excellent ambience with boma fire, dinner and dark skies overhead. The presentations are accompanied by stunning images. While being entertaining, the presentations are also thought provoking and can lead to some lively discussions. Telescope viewing is dependent on the weather.
Topics:	- The Moon A fascinating talk about the moon, its origin, our fascination with it and how our studies and exploration of this barren lifeless body have taught us much about ourselves, particularly relating to the cradle of humankind and our own dynamic planet.
	- From Hydrogen Gas to Life on Earth A talk about the lifecycle of the stars and how their chemical by products have been the progenitors of our own solar system and the basis of our existence. This talk usually leads to a lively Q & A session as it touches on aspects of our origin and our eventual future.
	- Luna and Two Wars: Marathon & Tarawa The first part of the talk is about the dating of the battle of Marathon and is based on the forensic evidence gleaned from astronomical clues found by astronomers relating to the moon and the two accounts of the famous battle which heralded the first victory of Athens. The second part of the talk is about the timing of the landing of the assault craft during World War II and the unusual Tides at Tarawa Atoll caused by the position of the moon at certain times of the year.
	- Southern Skies A mix of local starlore, an African people originating from the brightest star Sirius, modern day astronomy and some of the most fascinating objects in the celestial sphere. The southern hemisphere is a celebration of astronomy.
Speakers:	Professional speakers, who host viewing evenings, teach selected members of the Astronomical Society how to operate telescopes and teach basic astronomy, are utilized.