Also known as Pleiades, Seven Sisters, Subaru, (and Messier 45), Matariki is a young open star cluster in the Taurus constellation - about 440 light years from earth.
It's return into our southern night sky at this time of year marks the start of the New Year in the Maori lunar calendar.
Today is Matariki (and a public holiday here) - so happy new year everyone and we wish you health and prosperity for the year ahead.
The event is marked with light festivals and cultural events across the country.
 |
| Image borrowed from Wikipedia |
Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteManawatia a Matariki, hari tau hou! YAM xx (who is grateful to G-translate :-)
Happy new year! The story and names to each star is interesting too
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeleteLovely sky
ReplyDeleteHappy new year. I wish we had been able to celebrate Matariki back when I was at school. Maori was not celebrated at all. Times have changed
ReplyDelete