Post by Roderick on Sept 28, 2009 23:19:48 GMT 12
Kiwi in space
Kiwis have always shone on the global stage, now we're making our mark in the outer reaches of space.
An astrophotographer has captured the outline of New Zealand's national icon in the centre of the Milky Way galaxy. The image - 26,000 light years away - was snapped by experienced photographer Fraser Gunn.
Gunn recently started astrophotography with Earth and Sky Stargazing Tours at the internationally reknowned Mt John Observatory in Tekapo.
"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," Gunn said.
Run by the University of Canterbury, Mt John Observatory is the centre of New Zealand's space research programme. Its dark skies and high number of clear nights make it perfect for stargazing.
The Mackenzie region, where the 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 has a bid underway to establish its night skies as a UNESCO World Heritage Starlight Reserve.
Fraser Gunn's astro-photograph with the image of a kiwi highlighted
c.
Kiwis have always shone on the global stage, now we're making our mark in the outer reaches of space.
An astrophotographer has captured the outline of New Zealand's national icon in the centre of the Milky Way galaxy. The image - 26,000 light years away - was snapped by experienced photographer Fraser Gunn.
Gunn recently started astrophotography with Earth and Sky Stargazing Tours at the internationally reknowned Mt John Observatory in Tekapo.
"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," Gunn said.
Run by the University of Canterbury, Mt John Observatory is the centre of New Zealand's space research programme. Its dark skies and high number of clear nights make it perfect for stargazing.
The Mackenzie region, where the 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 has a bid underway to establish its night skies as a UNESCO World Heritage Starlight Reserve.
Fraser Gunn's astro-photograph with the image of a kiwi highlighted
c.
