Sunday, May 31, 2009

Celebrate Maori New Year at the Stardome

Matariki, or Maori New Year, is the time when whanau and friends gather, trees are planted, food is collected for the winter, and a beautiful group of blue stars rise in the east just before dawn.

This year Matariki takes place on 24 June, and Stardome Observatory is offering everyone the opportunity to learn about the significance of these stars over the month of June at 9.00pm.

The planetarium show Matariki Dawn looks at cultural and astronomical aspects of this group of spectacular stars.

The show includes Maori myths and stories about the formation of the Earth, the Moon, and Maori New Year. Using the Stardome’s 360 degree image projection system, visitors can also see the stars of Matariki close up in the planetarium, and find out why they appear at certain times of the year and not at others.

Anyone interested in Maori culture and astronomy will enjoy learning about “te whakanui i a Matariki” – celebrating Matariki.

For the full Matariki experience, Stardome is hosting a Matariki Breakfast on Saturday 20 June at 5.30am, starting with a pre dawn walk up to the top of Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill), escorted by astronomy experts who will talk about Matariki as the stars rise. Star viewing is followed by a breakfast back at Stardome Observatory and the planetarium show, Matariki Dawn.

Matariki Dawn: Tuesdays to Sundays in June, 9.00pm at Stardome Observatory, One Tree Hill. Adults $16, children $8. Programme includes planetarium show, a presentation about a hot topic in astronomy and courtyard telescope viewing. Telescope viewing subject to weather conditions - a raincheck is provided if viewing is not possible. Bookings are essential. See www.stardome.org.nz for details.

Matariki Breakfast: Saturday 20 June at 5.30am. Adults $35, children $25. Includes seeing the rising of Matariki from the top of Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill) (weather permitting), breakfast, and 45 minute planetarium show, Matariki Dawn. Bookings are essential and places are limited. See www.stardome.org.nz or phone (09) 624 1246 for details.

IMAGE
If you require an image, please contact Barbara Leyland at Stardome Observatory.

FOR MORE DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT: FOR BOOKINGS PLEASE CONTACT:
Jill Jessop Stardome
Evening Manager Ph 624 1246
Stardome Observatory
Ph 021 442 884

ABOUT STARDOME OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM Stardome Observatory and Planetarium has created an environment that brings together astronomers and enthusiasts and inspires a love of the sky and the science behind it. Every year the organisation uses a blend of education and entertainment to share its passion with almost 60,000 visitors.

The observatory’s facilities include an amazing 360° digital dome planetarium, the 0.5m Edith Winstone Blackwell Zeiss Telescope, and the Nustrini research telescope.

Situated in Auckland’s One Tree Hill Domain, Stardome is New Zealand’s leading astronomical attraction and invites you to enjoy the view.

A full list of public show times is available at www.stardome.org.nz.

No comments:

Post a Comment