May 2020 - The Southern Night Sky
The temperatures have been steadily dropping and the air becomes clearer at night. During the Level 4 lockdown we had the most beautiful night skies, especially around the new moon, which we just loved watching from home. This intensified the desire to visit some favourite night time destinations, as well as explore some new ones once the levels had been lifted.
At alert level 2 we are most definitely open for business. Simon has been making use of his new eBike to explore different corners of the Wakatipu Basin. He’s found some amazing spots, and the best news is they were hiding only a short walk away from vehicle access.
The Southern Night Sky is an absolute wonder to behold. Slowly but surely over the last few years, the light pollution in the Wakatipu Basin has been increasing. One of the major changes we’re seeing is how many lights appear to have been turned off during the last few months. Now is the perfect time to spend some time soaking up this amazing natural resource and create some truly mind blowing images to treasure for decades to come.
Air glow is the most beautiful physical phenomenon. It’s very similar to the Aurora, but it doesn’t require specific solar activity to set it off. Sunlight causes chemical bonds to occur in the upper atmosphere and then the constant stream of cosmic rays continually bombarding our planet from the universe break these bonds release distinct and very faint coloured light. For the last couple of weeks the air glow has been the most breathtaking orange which has been just visible to the naked eye.
As we take photographs, you’re able to see on the screen the extras that astrophotography allows us to see which always enhances what you see with your eyes. Constellations start to pop out in ways you’d never thought possible. We utilise the latest star mapping apps offering real time access to oodles of information about one of the many millions of universal objects surrounding you.
We’re constantly learning about our place and the beautiful night sky. We just love to share these stories with you and since your adventure is exclusive to you and your group we’ll focus on the things you really want to learn about and experience.
Our Starry Night Adventure takes a couple of hours. We pick you up from your home / accommodation in the Wakatipu Basin and then take you somewhere dark to look at the stars and create some breathtaking photographs. We aim to have you under the stars for about 40 minutes. You don’t need to walk far from one of our Land Rovers, and with the right clothes and delicious hot Milo you should stay pretty warm.
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you can add on extra time when you book. You really do need to wear some good trail shoes for this one. We’ll take a walk somewhere a little more remote, usually not for much longer than 20 minutes in each direction, and it really is worth it. We will explore a little further, venture into some places a little darker so we can see the show even clearer. You’ll need a reasonable level of fitness, and please be reassured that you won’t be pushed and rushed. The night sky requires you to slow down and connect.
You can emailus@authenticAs.org to discuss options of destinations and specific ideas of photographs, or you can securely book now and enter the code ‘SupportLocal’ and you’ll receive a 20% discount at the checkout.
All tours are subject to our Terms and Conditions and we’d like to further reassure you that everyone’s health is important to us. Our vehicles are disinfected and we’re fit and healthy.