
UPDATE:
Unfortunately, due to predicted arrival of a cyclone grade 2-3 store for Sunday we have made the difficult decision to reschedule the event.
We understand this may be as disappointing for you as it is for us, however we are looking at the long range forecast showing more than 65% chance of rain on Saturday afternoon with the system arriving in earnest Sunday. Over the past 48 hours the confidence in these predictions has become stronger so we are postponing to ensure the day is as pleasant and fruitful as it can possibly be.
If you are interested in a unique experience and an adventurous day out now on Saturday, 25th February 2023, you may wish to join the foot search for a new meteorite with likeminded volunteers.
You can register on https://events.humanitix.com/northland-meteor-hunt and join us to
hunt for these elusive visitors from our solar system with exceptional scientific value.
Take a look below for details of this event. It is being organised by the Northland Astronomical Society (NAS) under the leadership of Peter Felhofer, President of NAS.
Event description
On 19 November last year a meteor entered the atmosphere and seen over much of Northland at 4:24am, briefly turning night into day. After gathering many eyewitness accounts and footage from several cameras the researchers have identified a probably strewn field (landing site) west of Dargaville where up to 60kg of meteorites may now lay.
We are assembling a search party and need as many volunteers as possible to cover the strewn field in one day. Should the weather be unpleasant we will postpone to Sunday 26th, and if the whole weekend is unsuitable we will consider the following weekend.
We will arrange a bus for volunteers from the Whangarei region, departing from Kiwi North in Maunu at 9 am. Volunteers from the Dargaville region please indicate that on your registration and depending on numbers we will advise the transport arrangements before the event. The search area has limited vehicle capacity and we do not want any people in the area as the search needs to be executed in a disciplined and co-ordinated manner.
This event is a collaboration between the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand (RASNZ) and the University of Otago, with the Northland Astronomical Society hosting this event in our region. If you have any direct observation or video footage of this or any other fireballs please submit a report on the following site: https://fireballs.nz/report/
Northland Astronomical Society/Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand/University of Otago
Article added: Thursday 26 January 2023