
Matariki Fly Through
Fly through of the Pleiades star cluster, known as Matariki in New Zealand in May/June. Made from ESA’s Gaia DR2 data.

Fly through of the Pleiades star cluster, known as Matariki in New Zealand in May/June. Made from ESA’s Gaia DR2 data.

Discover how to locate the Pleiades star cluster, known as Matariki in New Zealand, during June’s pre-dawn skies. This guide offers step-by-step instructions to help you spot this celestial gem, marking the Māori New Year, and provides insights into its significance and visibility during this time of year.


Celestial objects have looked down on every event that has affected humanity; times of conflict or celebration, times of famine or plenty, times of disease or vitality.

Life needs CHNOPS, the six essential elements Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulphur. Curiosity found them on ancient Mars, but a new study shows Earth was born without them. Only a lucky impact with Theia made our world habitable. In contrast, Venus never stood a chance. Meet the three planetary siblings and discover why only Earth became a cradle for life.

Mars’s mantle contains ancient fragments up to 4km wide from its formation—preserved like geological fossils from the planet’s violent early history.

Cosmic rays are hitting the atmosphere constantly. One of the products of the collisions is muons, and we can detect muons on the surface of the Earth to learn about the cosmic rays.

NGC6025 is an beautiful open cluster close to Beta Trianguli Australis in Triangulum Australe. Visible with binoculars and great in a telescope, well worth a look.
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