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Apollo NZ Global
ASTRAVYR Systems
ASTRAVYR Celestial Meridian approved emblem and wordmarkSPACE ACADEMYSPACE · ASTRONOMY · DISCOVERY

THE UNIVERSE IS YOUR CLASSROOM

Southern Hemisphere Sky Explorer

ASTRAVYR SPACE ACADEMY / SKY EXPLORER

Discover the
southern sky.

Explore how the positions of eight bright reference stars vary between New Zealand, the Pacific and the Middle East. The calculation demonstrates celestial coordinates—it is not a live observation chart.

8 reference stars3 regional examples12 learning months

01 / INTERACTIVE CLASSROOM SKY

One sky, different
points of view.

Change the place, month and evening hour. The circular diagram places the zenith in the centre and the mathematical horizon at the edge; only the eight named stars are plotted.

APPROXIMATE REFERENCE SKY · 15TH OF SELECTED MONTHMackenzie Basin · NZ
NESWZENITHAcruxAlpha CentauriAntaresFomalhautAchernarCanopus
Centre = overheadOuter ring = horizonNot a complete planetarium

02 / STAR REFERENCE

6 stars in the selected sample are above the mathematical horizon.

Local terrain, city lights, moonlight and weather may make an above-horizon star unobservable. Select a reference star for more detail.

SELECTED STAR · CRUX

Acrux

The bright southern star of Crux, commonly called the Southern Cross.

Altitude 24.9°Azimuth 203°
Inspect SIMBAD positional source

03 / SEASONAL LEARNING

Spring · Sep–Nov

Fomalhaut and Achernar

Compare the angular positions of prominent southern spring stars.

Example only. The selected month is interpreted for local hour on the 15th of 2026; year-to-year variation, twilight and daylight saving boundaries require checking in a full planetarium.

Verify the exact sky in Stellarium Web

Educational calculation, not a live sky forecast. Based on a short list of published J2000 reference positions and sidereal-time geometry. It excludes precession and proper-motion updates, refraction, weather, the Moon and planets, local terrain and accurate clock transitions. For any real observing session, check a current planetarium, forecasts, site access and safety. Never observe the Sun directly through optical equipment without purpose-built specialist solar filters and expert supervision.

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