Can you identify an object/phenomenon that I saw in the sky?

We can attempt to identify these based on your descriptions. Information that we will likely ask of you includes: the date and time you viewed the object, the direction you were looking, how bright the object was in the sky, and which direction the object was travelling towards (if you noticed any movement). Any pictures or video footage that you have will also help immensely.

We invite you to e-mail us on info@stardome.org.nz so that we can arrange for an appropriate person to contact you.

When is it possible to view an eclipse?

Eclipses occur during a precise alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun, which can happen several times in a calendar year. To find out when an eclipse is visible for a particular location, NASA has an online calculator that you can use:

For Solar Eclipses, visit here: http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/JSEX/JSEX-index.html
For Lunar Eclipses, visit here: http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/JLEX/JLEX-index.html

Is Matariki only visible in June?

Matariki rises and sets at different times of night depending on the time of year. So, it is visible for most of the year, except when the Earth's yearly cycle causes Matariki to be obscured by the Sun.

Does extra-terrestrial life exist?

Although man has not yet discovered living organisms on planets other than our own, that’s not to say it isn’t out there. New planets and other objects are being discovered all the time, so this is entirely possible.

Is Mars really going to appear as big as the Moon in August?

The simple answer is no. This misconception started out when Mars and the Earth did have a relatively close approach in 2003. But even then, the planet was 56 million km away and resembled a very bright reddish star in the sky. If you'd like to see more information about the Mars e-mail misconception, we recommend viewing this NASA article from 2009: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2009/09jun_marshoax/ 

Will the world go through a catastrophe in 2012?

No, the world shouldn't end in 2012. We recommend visiting this website, which addresses quite a few questions regarding this misconception: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/2012.html 

Did man really walk on the Moon?

Yes, there is huge amount of evidence that shows the NASA astronauts did truly walk on the Moon. If the Moon missions were faked, the Russians would easily have been able to call their bluff! From the Moon rocks that were brought back, the experiments that were left behind and have been used since, and images of the equipment that was left behind (taken by recent high-res cameras), credible scientists all over the world agree that the astronauts did indeed land there.

If you'd like answers to specific concerns raised by the conspiracy theorists, we recommend this site: http://www.braeunig.us/space/hoax.htm 

Can you help me with my astronomy assignment?

We are happy to help you figure out really tricky questions you need for homework, but be warned we will not give you the answers! Visit the Homework Help page of our website for recommended links here: http://www.stardome.org.nz/education/Homework-Help/