In our Solar System, the composition of asteroids in the main belt (between Mars and Jupiter) differs with their distance from the Sun. Measuring their albedo gives information about their composition.
Under the Lintel
THE SEVEN SISTERS
The most celebrated stars in our night sky are the Pleiades. In folklore they are usually known as the ‘Seven Sisters’. In Japan they are known as ‘Subaru’ (and you thought it was a car) and, in New Zealand they are of course, Matariki.
Tamanui Te Ra’s wives
The Sun seems to move quickly at equinoxes and slow at solstices. Māori believed that it was because of the two stars, Sirius and Antares.
Dance of the Seven Veils
The true meaning behind the story of the dance of the seven veils.
By Jove
Jupiter is a marvellous world and right now is great to see in the telescope.
Matariki and the Māori New Year
Observing the stars of the Pleiades, known here as Matariki is an ancient tradition that dates back thousands of years.
Why is the sky dark at night?
The answer to this question is not as obvious as it might first seem. In fact, the answer to this question is the key to understanding the nature of the Universe.
What’s in the sky in May
The night sky of May 2020
What’s in the night sky in June
Why bother with space · June 2020 Star Safari
The Winter Solstice
Solstice means the sun standing still. It is the day upon which the sun rises and sets at its most distant point on the horizon north or south of due east or due west. The two solstices are also the days with the longest and shortest hours of daylight.