Matariki in 2024
In mid-April 2024, the Pleiades disappeared behind the blaze of the Sun. We watched them every night from Star Safari until we could see them
In mid-April 2024, the Pleiades disappeared behind the blaze of the Sun. We watched them every night from Star Safari until we could see them
We often give the Moon magical properties it simply does not have. The amount of illumination it provides changes and that’s about it.
This month’s space exploration column takes us from the frosty terrains of ancient Earth to the latest technological feats in Mars’ atmosphere and beyond. Discover the vital insights shared by astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and journey with us through groundbreaking discoveries about black holes, the intriguing potential for life on Titan, and the innovative strategies powering Artemis moon missions. Engage with the cultural significance of space exploration through Indigenous art and marvel at the celestial dance of orbital resonance. Dive into the cosmos with us at Milky-Way.Kiwi, where the universe is closer than ever.
The second lunar eclipse of 2021 was fantastic and was well positioned both in the sky and the convenient time it occurred.
On the 20 July 1969 Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the surface of the Moon. In 2019 the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter imaged the area and snapped what remains of the lunar lander. In this video we get a close look at the LRO image.
Copernicus is a huge crater easily visible with binoculars and in this video we have a close look at it. The crater has rays of ejector material and a complex terraced crater wall, all great to explore.
In this video we fly down to the Mare Crisium and check out the lava filled crater called Yerkes, the lava has long ago cooled leaving this almost fully buried crater. Then we go and have a look at a crater on Earth.
In this video of our know the Moon series we visit the unusually shaped crater called Ukert.
In this video we fly around the Montes Alpes on the edge of the huge Mare Imbrium and have a look at the mountains that make up this impressive range.
In this video we visit the huge impact crater on the Moon called Aristillus. This crater is 55km across and nearly 4km deep. It is easily visible with binoculars.
In this video we fly down to the surface of the Moon and have a close look at the crater called Plato.
This video is about exploring the Vallis Schroteri, or Schroters Valley on the Moon.
In this video we visit Rima Hyginus which contains a suspected volcanic caldera.
Today at 2:35 was the last Supermoon for 2020 but the Moon will not rise until tonight so it will be passed the phase of Full Moon when it does. If you get a chance, go outside and have a look. If you miss it, don’t worry, it’ll be back next year.
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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