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SEMINAR AT BURNHAM TRANSIT OF VENUS SITE |
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SEMINAR AT BURNHAM TRANSIT OF VENUS SITE: Two Freemasons' Lodges, Lodge Malvern No. 230 and United Forces Lodge No. 245, believe their local schools could have an advantage in the Royal Society's Transit of Venus competition and are promoting an open-air seminar on Monday 15 March at Burnham Military Camp, site of the last NZ Transit observations in 1882.
What is the Local Connection?
The Canterbury countryside is uniquely represented in the History of the Transit of Venus observations. In 1870, where Burnham Military Camp now stands south of Christchurch, an Industrial School was established and run by the Education Department - almost the equivalent of a modern Borstal. The plan was that it would house children from the Canterbury Orphanage and Reformatory but it was, in fact, a place used mainly for the incarceration of the worst of Canterbury's delinquent children. John A. Lee was a famous "old boy".
Scientific interest was focussed on the anticipated Transit of Venus on 9 December 1874. For this astronomical event, elaborate preparations were made throughout the world, but New Zealand held pride of place. Rewarding observations were expected here. In that year British scientists concentrated at Burnham while parties of Americans went to both Queenstown and the Chatham Islands. Further stations were set up at Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, and Naseby.
In the event, murky clouds and some lightning towards early afternoon allowed only 14 minutes of observations. All the other stations met with similar misfortune. Referring to the event, one of the Canterbury papers declared "never did the people of Canterbury observe the heavens with more anxiety".
In 1882, the Burnham point of observation was again used for scientific purposes, this time as one of a group of posts established to successfully calculate the distance of the Earth from the Sun. There is also real significance in that the centre point of the Burnham observation establishes the precise difference between Greenwich Mean Time and New Zealand Standard Time.
The site is well preserved. There are three Lands and Survey Department reference points engraved in bronze and set on three crumbling brick pillars arranged in a triangle some 20 metres apart. Each pillar, or cairn, is approximately one metre tall. They are set in an open area fifty metres from the nearest building, on flat, grassed land and surrounded by gracious tall blue gums and sycamores. Detail on a bronze plaque placed on the principal pillar states:
"At this site on 7th December 1882 an English Survey Party under Colonel Tupman successfully observed the Transit of the Planet Venus to determine the distance from the Earth to the Sun. This pillar is now a reference mark for precise levelling.Erected by the Lands and Survey Department 1965"
The fact that we have a unique site in our own backyard should be an incentive to local schools to participate, as their entries have the potential to have more original New Zealand input than the academic research available to most students.
What is the Promotion?
We offer to all Year 9-13 schools, an open-air seminar on Monday 15 March from 2 p.m. until 3.30 p.m. on the site of the last successful observation at Burnham Camp. Teachers and students who have an interest in the competition are especially invited.
There will be four ten-minute presentations by excellent and qualified speakers.
The Army's association with the area and a welcome to visitors.
The significance of the Transit of Venus on measuring the distance from the Earth to the Sun
The story of Burnham's history and the events of 1882 at that site
The relationship of Freemasonry with the area, the survey parties, and with benevolence
Each presentation will be separated by the opportunity for questions and site examination. Food and refreshments will be available to meet students' demanding standards. Documentary and other reference material will be provided. Photography is welcomed, and TV and print media will be present. There is no seminar fee charged.
The Red Bus Company has indicated special concessions on its scheduled run Christchurch to Burnham and, according to need, special buses will run. We hope the New Zealand Army Band may also provide entertainment.
Response
If you have in interest and intend coming to Burnham, please advise John Masters by 5 March 2004 at the latest, providing approximate numbers attending for catering purposes. We will respond with clear directions to the site and any other information you may need.
John Masters can be contacted by
Ph: 03 358 2788
Fax: 03 358 2784
Email: jmmasters@xtra.co.nz
This is a great opportunity for local schools to do well in a national competition for a trip of a lifetime.
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