Astronomers and Musicians come together in Foxton for NZ’s biggest IYA event

The Space Radio event at Foxton later this month will combine music and astronomy in an “Out of this World” experience using sounds and images from throughout the known universe.

Levin Stargazers and the Foxton Beach Astronomical Society have brought together artists and musicians to create an event with an exciting family day out. The event takes place on November 21st 2009, at the Foxton audio visual museum. Presentation 4-6pm and Concert 8.30-10pm.

The audience will hear the universe as it has never been heard before, the oldest known sound effect in the universe will be there too - the hiss of the radiation left over from the Big Bang.

The performance will canvas questions such as: Are we alone in the universe? Is there music coming from space? These are the sort of questions that Space Radio will explore. Musicians include Ed Zuccollo and James Davenport with Visuals from Cameron McKechnie of Chaoslab. Among a myriad of other supporters from a range of communities, Paul Moss bears special mention for his role in Space Radio. Paul is the National Coordinator for ‘Sidewalk Astronomers’ and will bring a wealth of experience and passion in helping to organise the performance.

MAVtech, the national audio visual museum in Foxton will host the event, and will offer tours of the museum in addition to the evening telescope viewing sessions on its balcony. Guests can leisurely browse the displays or take in some local space art on display by Bren Chainey.

Tickets for the evening concert are $10 each and will be available at the door from 8pm.

Earlier in the day there will be a separate film premiere.

From 4pm astronomer Frank Andrews will talk the audience through an original movie of the planets, produced by Haritina Mogosanu, using the latest sounds and pictures from NASA.

The movie journeys to the edge of the Solar System and back and is set to the music of Gustav Holst's ‘The Planets’.

The rest of the two-hour show - which costs $5, will feature Space on the Silver Screen - a fascinating screening compiled from the New Zealand Film Archives, and suited to all ages.

This exciting project has been made possible thanks to support from Creative NZ and The Horowhenua Community Trust, and proceeds from ticket sales will go towards the Young Stargazers programme, to help support astronomy education.

From a press release supplied by Ron Fisher