Category: Human Exploration

Recent Stories

My internship at NASA Ames – What is NASA

Last month, the New Zealand Government – The New Zealand Space Agency together with the US Embassy have announced four scholarships at NASA Ames, the same place I have been in 2014. There were media outlets in New Zealand that publicised this as an astronaut training opportunity, but this internship is no astronaut training school although it might lead to becoming one. This, and the knowledge that you don’t need to be an astronaut to work in the space industry, prompted me to want to share from my experience at NASA and give an overview of what to realistically expect from these internships.

Mars Week!

Last week was Mars Week at Oxford Area School in the South Island. It was a great week running Mars Missions and learning all about Mars.

How far from the Earth to the Sun – the Astronomical Unit

Next year is the 250th anniversary of James Cook’s voyage to the Pacific Ocean. One the things he did was contribute to a more accurate calculation of the distance between the Earth and the Sun by observing the transit of Venus.

Life on and off Earth, from Rotorua

Ever wanted to work for NASA? Or learn about astrobiology from New Zealand? Join us to find out what’s an astrobiologist, why should one visit New Zealand, how the hot springs here in Rotorua are putting it on the astrobiology map, what are NASA plans for sending people on Mars and what you need to do to work there at NASA, jobs of the future, Twizel and artificial intelligence.

Milky-Way.Kiwi interviews Ian Cooper – A giant of New Zealand astrophotography

Ian Cooper is a giant in New Zealand astrophotography. He has been capturing the night sky since the 1970s and in this article he takes us through some of the highlights and give us some tips.

Space and Science Festival 2018, Wellington.

The 2018 Space and Science Festival, held at Onslow College in Wellington was fantastic, with great talks from NASA and Rocket Lab and plenty of interesting displays.

The New Zealand Space Challenge 2018

Helping drive space innovation in New Zealand is Space Base and their New Zealand Space Challenge.

Lunar Sketching

Getting started with astronomical sketching can be daunting at first but before long you’ll be producing great looking sketches of your favourite night sky objects.

The night sky at Gallipoli, 25 April 1915

103 years ago today, New Zealand and Australian troops landed at Gallipoli in World War 1. We have a look at what the night sky may have looked like in the early hours before the landings on 25th April 1915.

The Mars Yard, simulating Mars on Earth

We visited the Mars Yard at the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences in Sydney a few weeks ago and had a great time at this fantastic facility that is doing very important work.

Humanity’s humanity star

The Humanity Star that was launched by Rocket Lab is expected to burn up tomorrow as it re-enters the atmosphere.

The Beginners Series – The Universe to Earth

In this article in the Beginner Series we look at the size of the universe and our place in it to give some context to the amazing sights available to the budding astronomer.

Kiwinauts to space

Kiwinauts to space is how we are going to try and inspire New Zealand to become a space faring nation and get a New Zealander into space – the first kiwinaut.

A short analysis – Reactions if life on Mars is discovered

This is an analysis of human reactions if life was discovered on Mars. In it, four different personas are examined to see what conclusions can be drawn.

What if we found life on Mars

What if we find life on Mars, and what if we inadvertently cause an extinction event there. What can we do to prevent us destroying another ecosystem?

New

3D printed Mars bangle

February 8, 2021

Join us for a Star Safari or in the Astrobiology Dome

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Most Popular Stories

Three Siblings, Three Fates: Earth, Mars, and Venus

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.