International Observe the Moon Night
Kia ora Tāmaki Makaurau. Saturday is International Observe the Moon Night and to mark the occasion, a historic telescope used during some of the first human missions to the moon will be open to the public at Auckland's Stardome Observatory and Planetarium (670 Manukau Road, Epsom).
The EWB Zeiss telescope was used to manually track Apollo missions when Houston didn't have radio contact with its spacecraft and astronauts.
The public are invited to use the telescope to view the moon on Saturday until 10.30pm at the stardome at 670 Manukau Road, Epsom.
“It will be five days after the new moon, so looking up from the Southern Hemisphere, we will easily be able locate the various maria, or seas, on the eastern half of the near-side of the moon. These are the Sea of Serenity, Sea of Tranquillity, Sea of Crises, Sea of Fecundity, and Sea of Nectar,” Stardome telescope operator Daley Panthagani said.
Entry costs $2 per adult and $1 per child. The Stardome will also be putting on educational shows about the moon for additional fees. For more info visit www.stardome.org.nz...
Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
The gift of giving …?
The author of “The Gift of the Magi” is O. Henry, a pseudonym for William Sydney Porter.
“The Gift of the Magi” is a poignant short story about a young couple, Jim and Della, who are deeply in love but financially struggling. With Christmas approaching and limited money, each decides to sacrifice their most prized possession to buy a meaningful gift for the other. Della sells her beautiful long hair to buy a platinum chain for Jim’s watch, while Jim sells his grandfather’s watch to buy a set of combs for Della’s hair. In the end, their love and sacrifice underscore the true spirit of giving during the holiday season.
🤔
I would say the story underscores the stupidity of Xmas gifts … after all, it is not YOUR birthday, so how about donating something to good causes and otherwise enjoying being together?
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