Kiwi discovered in outer space
29 Sep 2009
Kiwis are reputed to be great global travellers but the discovery of New Zealand’s national icon in the centre of the Milky Way Galaxy in outer space has to be off the planet in anyone’s book.
The distinct outline of the famous flightless bird was picked up by an experienced astrophotographer from New Zealand’s internationally renowned Mt John Observatory at Lake Tekapo in the South Island.
The observatory, run by the University of Canterbury, is the centre of New Zealand's space research programme and regarded by astronomers as possibly the best site in the world to view the Milky Way and the centre of the universe.
High-powered camera
The Kiwi image was captured by Fraser Gunn, who recently started astrophotography with Earth and Sky Stargazing Tours at Mt John Observatory.
Although it’s 26,000 light years away, the distinct image of the kiwi was picked up right in the middle of the Milky Way Galaxy, by Gunn’s high powered camera.
"When looking at the area with the naked eye it's difficult to locate the kiwi but my camera allows greater light and colour into the image giving it
more definition," he said.
Astrophotography tours
Earth and Sky started astrophotography tours six weeks ago to complement stargazing tours and the company says the response has been outstanding.
"Basically, I provide instruction to anyone with a SLR-type camera so they can obtain their own starlight pictures," says Gunn.
Graeme Murray, director of Earth and Sky Tours, says Fraser Gunn has become a leader in New Zealand astrophotography and is fast gaining international acclaim.
"His animation scenes of the night sky are quite remarkable. On a series of clear nights Fraser has taken a sequence of more than 1,000 photos between sunset and sunrise and then condenses the shots into about two minutes. It captures the full picture of what's happening in space, complete with shooting stars and passing satellites, and is absolutely fascinating," says Murray.
Mt John Observatory
The Mackenzie region, where Mt John Observatory is based, is considered New Zealand's best stargazing spot and has been named the fourth best place in the world to go stargazing by United States travel website VirtualTourist.com.
The region’s uniquely dark skies, devoid of city light pollution, and high number of clear nights, atmospheric stability and transparency make it perfect for stargazing.
The region currently has a bid underway to establish its night sky as a UNESCO World Heritage Starlight Reserve.
Earth and Sky Tours has been operating astro-tourism tours at Mt John Observatory for the past five years and Mr Murray says he's noticed a considerable national and international increase in public awareness about the night sky during that time.
"More than 50,000 people have been on our day, night and 'behind the scenes' tours in the past year alone.
"The kiwi is a great discovery for the Earth and Sky team on Mt John and how appropriate it is that a kiwi stands amongst the stars we are striving to protect," says Murray.
More information:
Heritage Starlight Reserve
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