Sky now
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North is at the top and east is on the left, as if you were lying on your back looking up.
You are looking south. Look up!
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Challenge: use the slider to find the time when the sky turns fully dark.
Te Pae Māhutonga · Southern Cross
Challenge: find the two Pointers beside the cross.
How to find south
- Find Gacrux and Acrux. They are the two stars that make the long arm of the cross.
- Follow the dashed line from Gacrux through Acrux and keep going to the south celestial pole.
- Drop straight down from the pole to the horizon. That spot is due south.
Solid lines join the four stars of the cross. The dotted line joins the two Pointers.
Matariki · The Pleiades
Can I see Matariki?
Not yet
Challenge: can you find Taumata-kuku before Matariki?
How to find Matariki
- Find Tautoru, the three stars in a short row.
- Follow the dashed line along the row to the orange-red star Taumata-kuku.
- Keep going a little further to the small cluster of stars. That is Matariki.
Puanga is the bright star beside Tautoru. Rings mark the stars; the dashed line is the path to follow.
Tonight
Challenge: look again in an hour. Has the Moon moved?