Mars

open now

Learn about Mars at Stonehenge Aotearoa!

Why a Mars exhibition

In October 2020, Mars has passed close by Earth, in an occurrence called opposition. This is a prime opportunity to launch scientific missions to Mars as the United States, China and the UAE have done in the last few months. The focus on Mars is that it is a planet that may have hosted microbial life in its past and these missions have been sent to the red planet to look for evidence for past life and understand more about the planet. 

  • Mars, photo taken from Stonehenge Aotearoa by @space_samuel on 10th of October 2020. On it you can see Noachis Terra, Meridiani Planum and Arabia Terra.
    Mars, photo taken from Stonehenge Aotearoa by @space_samuel on 10th of October 2020. On it you can see Noachis Terra, Meridiani Planum and Arabia Terra.
  • Mars, photo taken by @space_samuel from Stonehenge Aotearoa on 17th of October 2020. You can see a feature called Syrtis Major, which is the landing place for the Perseverance Rover.
    Mars, photo taken by @space_samuel from Stonehenge Aotearoa on 17th of October 2020. You can see a feature called Syrtis Major, which is the landing place for the Perseverance Rover.

What’s in it for us?

Both NASA and SpaceX have publicly stated their desire to put humans on Mars within the next decades. This focus on Mars creates a huge opportunity for New Zealand as we embark on the start of our journey to participate in the rapidly growing space economy. Already New Zealanders are working on space launch systems, robotics, software and spacecraft design, just to name a few potential career pathways. 

To encourage our young people to take up studies of science and engineering (STEM) we want to educate New Zealanders on the possibilities.

Thanks to our generous supporters

With the support of Stonehenge Aotearoa, the Embassy of the United States of America, the Phoenix Astronomical Society and Milky-Way.Kiwi, the New Zealand Astrobiology Network has put together a Mars exhibition at Stonehenge Aotearoa. This is to showcase Mars and the science missions to the planet that are there on the moment or on their way. 

Our brand new Mars exhibition opened on 15 of November 2020.

Admission is free with entry to Stonehenge Aotearoa

Mars – The Exhibition is created by the New Zealand Astrobiology Network with the support of the Phoenix Astronomical Society, Miky-Way.Kiwi and Stonehenge Aotearoa.

Principal Sponsor, the Embassy of the United States of america.

  • THE PHOENIX ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY - MAJOR SPONSOR
    THE PHOENIX ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY – MAJOR SPONSOR
  • ORGANISER
    ORGANISER