Matariki is visible to the unaided eye in the pre-dawn sky from mid to late June each year. Its heliacal rising—occurring around the winter solstice—combined with a specific lunar phase signals the Māori New Year. However, much like Ramadan, Easter, and the Chinese and Indian New Years, the date varies annually based on astronomical and lunar cycles.
The interpretation of Matariki and the number of stars traditionally associated with it varies across different iwi (tribes) and regions. However, the actual number of stars in the cluster is far greater than these cultural interpretations suggest.
The Seven Sisters, known as Matariki in Aotearoa and the Pleiades in Greek mythology, have been a source of fascination for thousands of years. While many cultures describe seven stars, today, most people can only see six with the naked eye.
A groundbreaking study suggests that the myth of the Seven Sisters may be one of the oldest stories in human history, dating back 100,000 years. This shared legend appears in Greek, Indigenous Australian, and other global traditions, possibly carried by early humans as they migrated from Africa. The study proposes that Pleione, once brighter, may have faded over time, explaining why one of the seven stars is now missing.
Could this ancient myth be an early form of scientific observation? Explore the celestial mystery of Matariki and the lost sister of the Pleiades.
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.
Here’s a quick video to help you find Matariki. You’ll have to get up early in the morning to catch this fantastic cluster in the sky just before dawn.
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.