I've been interested in astronomy for as long as I can remember. I purchased my first 'proper' telescope more than 10 years ago to enjoy the 18 hour winter darkness and lack of light pollution in Canada's remote arctic north. When I moved to the UK I linked in with the Abingdon Astronomical Society, where I assisted on the executive, and served as the Oxfordshire Representative of the Campaign for Dark Skies. I moved to New Zealand in February 2005 to live in an environment that was perfect for astronomy so I could open an observatory to overseas astronomers, tourists and locals. My favourite astronomical activity is hunting for Deep Space Objects. I was featured on the cover and first article of the September 2006 quarterly journal of the RASNZ. In July I was elected to the Council of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand. I am the president of the Skydome Observers group of which I was a founding member in July 2007.

Andy is a very humble astronomer and refused to write anything about himself! As a result, this gives us the liberty to brag about his many astronomical accomplishments. He is undoubtedly New Zealand's top Solar Photographer. His solar shots regularly feature among the best on spaceweather.com. He has won numerous photographic awards in New Zealand for his astrophotographs, most recently at the RASNZ conference in Tekapo where he won the solar system section. Andy provides technical assistance and is a regular behind the scenes helper at Astronomy Adventures. He is the curator for the New Plymouth Astronomical Society.

I have been interested in Astronomy ever since I was a wee fella. Last year I took an NCEA Astronomy class offered to local adults and high school students at Dargaville High School. I have completed my practical astronomy work with Deborah on site at the Skydome Observatory. I enjoy lunar astronomy and like observing the constellations.

My interest in astronomy began when I ground a six-inch mirror at age twelve. In my twenties, I was a navigator on ocean-going sailboats, having taught myself celestial navigation. I was deputy principal of Lahainaluna High School in Hawaii and, for 18 years, owned private tuition schools for mathematics in Auckland and Whangarei. In 1999 I won the New Zealand Millenium Sundial Competition with an entry for a sixty-foot, civil time, equatorial dial. I enjoy the skies, not only at night, but also during the day, as an avid paraglider pilot at Baylys Beach, the best coastal site in New Zealand.

When I was 9 years old I read about a total solar eclipse in a school library book. It was to be in 1999 - 25 years into the future. It captured my imagination and sparked off my interest in the heavens. I've had a small telescope from an early age to explore the night sky, and have recently purchased an 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain. I finally got to see that eclipse in 1999, and have been mesmerised since, travelling the world to see others. You can read more and see photos and a video here. I work in industrial X-ray inspection and have recently had the honour of helping in a new CT examination of the Antikythera Mechanism, possibly the world's first ever astronomical computer - over 2000 years old.