It's happening! Tomorrow I leave for Aotearoa New Zealand to visit a whole bunch of amateur astronomy clubs (to yell about satellite pollution) and then spend a few weeks with collaborators at University of Canterbury (to yell about satellite pollution, and hopefully also talk about the Kuiper Belt and interstellar objects!)
I am looking forward to new foods, visiting farms, having conversations with farmers and astronomers, and different stars (hello MAGELLENIC CLOUDS!!) #ProfSamLectureTour
@sundogplanets Have fun! Safe travels and clear skies.
@sundogplanets the southern cross is waiting for you :-)
@sundogplanets Please say hello to my daughter and her husband. They moved there from Oregon a few years ago. My dad travelled to Ayers Rock in Australia with a friend when Halley's Comet last visited us. It was the highlight of a long amateur relationship with the cosmos.
@sundogplanets
Safe travels, Prof Lawler!
@sundogplanets You're going to miss the sterling February weather in Saskatchewan :)
@sundogplanets Have a great inspiring and successful time with interesting contacts and sheep!
@sundogplanets bon voyage! May your travels be smoother than anything involving Toronto last weekend: I was helping someone who was having to fly from Regina through Toronto and that was really a struggle. I was actually glad that I cancelled my trip to Regina.
I'm also looking forward to my reading + midterm week trip to Aotearoa. Wellington and then Cascade Saddle via CHC. Somehow, though, accommodation is ridiculously expensive near Wānaka.
Pretty good sky.
@sundogplanets Jason and Anna Flowerday at Te Whare Ra Winery in Marlborough do some really interesting things with cows, vines, and cover crops.
@sundogplanets The southern sky is a helluva sight, especially in some of NZ's dark areas. Enjoy!
@sundogplanets It is _unlikely_ but if you find the time/excuse pay a visit to Niue - the clearest skies I've ever seen and the most lovely chilled folks. Fish is good there too.
@sundogplanets Eeeee! So very excited for you. Looking forward to those NZ posts from you as well. Have fun and travel safely!
My first week of talks includes Whangārei https://events.humanitix.com/astronomy-and-the-billionaire-space-race
Then Auckland https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/astronomy-vs-the-billionaire-space-race-tickets-1979945182339
Then Hamilton https://www.has.org.nz/bht-registration-2026
(Bonus: in Hamilton I've been invited to visit the "methane barn" where they study emissions from cows and I'm so here for this) #ProfSamLectureTour
Is there a Wellington talk?
It's going to be so awesome!
I would say, watch some rugby, but it is the off season.
@sundogplanets Have a safe trip! That sounds like a lot of fun.
@sundogplanets Have a wonderful trip!
