Matariki is one of the most distinctive features in our night sky. It has been observed around the world since ancient times. And in modern astronomy, its stars have been studied using a variety of instruments, most recently by the forefront ESA space mission, Gaia. This lecture will explore how Matariki, as a young stellar cluster, is used by astronomers to further our understanding of the formation and evolution of Te Ikaroa (the Milky Way).

About the presenter: Dr C. Clare Worley is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Canterbury. She is a researcher in the field of Galactic Archaeology which seeks to unravel the evolutionary history of the Milky Way through the chemical distribution of its stellar populations.

Image credit: ESA/ATG MediaLab; background image by NASA/ESA/AURA/Caltech

This event is part the Matariki celebrations at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre (3 to 20 Hōngongoi July 2023). Celebrate Matariki with talented artists from Ōtautahi and beyond. Experience outstanding performances, an exhibition of Māori visual arts, a stunning Kapa Haha showcase, exciting kid's wānanga (workshops) and a Matariki mākete (market).