Discoveries & Observations

Category: Discoveries & Observations

Observing the changing Universe through astronomy, exploration and scientific discovery — from supernovae and eclipses to aurorae, comets and the night sky above Aotearoa New Zealand.

Happy New Year … on Mars!

Today, November 12, 2024, marks a significant celebration in the Martian calendar – the 38th Mars New Year! This date represents the start of a new Martian year, a day

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All Teaching Resources

the mission patch from Mark Rocket's space flight
The First New Zealander in Space: A Conversation with Mark Rocket
What does it feel like to leave Earth, experience weightlessness and see our planet surrounded by the immense...
The Sun
Kepler's Second Law of Planetary Motion
Explore Kepler's Second Law through an interactive orbital simulation. Investigate how a planet's speed changes throughout its elliptical...
Mars and Saturn
Kepler's First Law of Planetary Motion
This page demonstrates Kepler's First Law of Planetary Motion with an interactive simulation.
The Moon over three days
Phases of The Moon
The Moon is one of the most recognisable celestial objects. Its subtle changes in appearance over the course...
pleiades
Explore Matariki in 3D
This interactive experience allows students to move through the cluster and explore the three-dimensional structure of Matariki from...
Nebra Disk Matariki
Matariki Around the World: Perspectives on the Pleiades
Discover how cultures around the world interpreted the Pleiades star cluster through mythology, astronomy, observation and changing perspectives.

Stories and observations

Old boat on Deception island
What can an Antarctic extremophile teach us about life beyond Earth?
Matariki Dawn Viewing on top of Mount Victoria Wellington
Matariki: The Stars That Became a Nation’s New Year
Traditional Navigation
Navigation & Storytelling
Orakei Korako Spacewardbound Field trip
Astrobiology for Educators
Star Safari skyglow and Paul Malinson telescope 2025-11-1246
Dark Skies & Light Pollution
Star Safari7181 Large
Observing the Night Sky

Want to bring this experience into your classroom?

This activity is part of our live SpacewardBound sessions delivered directly in schools. We run it as a full interactive experience using our mobile planetarium and hands-on activities.

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