Stonehenge Aotearoa, Modern astronomical observatory in Wairarapa, New Zealand.
Stonehenge Aotearoa is a modern astronomical observatory in Wairarapa with a diameter of about 30 meters, featuring 24 concrete pillars, lintels, and a central obelisk. The site serves as an open-air learning center where visitors can observe celestial alignments directly on the ground.
The Phoenix Astronomical Society constructed this modern observatory over two years, with its official opening in 2005 by Nobel Laureate Alan MacDiarmid. The project combines traditional astronomical concepts with contemporary infrastructure for science education.
The structure blends astronomical traditions from Egypt, Babylon, Celtic culture, and Polynesia, with special markers honoring Maori celestial navigation practices. Visitors can notice these different cosmic perspectives as they walk through the site.
Access is available on weekends and public holidays, with special programs for nighttime observations and astronomy learning activities. It is advisable to bring warm clothing, as the location is in an open setting and nighttime temperatures can drop.
Six heel stones of varying heights mark the exact positions of sunrise and sunset during solstices and equinoxes. These stones connect ancient timekeeping methods with modern education and show how precisely old cultures observed the sky.
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