Come and Star Gaze at Ranginui Retreat

Did you know that a dark sky reserve is a public or private land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and that the Wairarapa is working toward being awarded Dark Sky Reserve Accreditation? When this happens, we’ll be the largest dark sky reserve in the world!  

Here at Ranginui Retreat we have hosted the local camera club to a star gazing evening, and I have had lots of fun getting up in the middle of the night to take photos of the heavens, especially the Milky way.  

So, we are now teaming up with Under The Stars, an award-winning nomadic stargazing service in the Wairarapa who will come to us, bringing everything you need for a night of stargazing, a huge portable telescope, binoculars, star charts and blankets to keep you warm as you look up.  

They will explain what you can see, stars and constellations and the stories and science they can tell us. Depending on what objects are up that night, your expert will help you take a closer look at the Moon, planets (if they are in the sky) and some nearby deep sky objects like nebulae, clusters, and galaxies. And, how about learning to use the sky to do some simple celestial navigation.

So, when you book accommodation at Ranginui Retreat, why not also book an evening star gazing. We can do this for you (just ask us when you make your reservation) or you can do this directly by going to Book Us | Astronomy Tours under the Wairarapa's Dark Sky (underthestars.co.nz) . You can also email Chris at Under the Stars directly at [email protected] or [email protected] if you have any questions.

Oh, and the photo is one I took from right outside the cottage at Ranginui Retreat.

Posted by Rob Steele on October 04, 2022