October is shaping up to be an exciting month here at Stonehenge Aotearoa. With school holidays, spring skies, and international celebrations of space and science, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Here’s what’s happening:
World Space Week – October 4-10
Join us as we celebrate World Space Week 2025, the world’s largest annual space event. This year’s theme focuses on how space inspires innovation and discovery. Keep an eye on our social media pages for daily posts, fun facts, and activities you can do at home or in the classroom.
Cosmic Explorers Worksheets
We’ve just wrapped up our 5-part Cosmic Explorers series — free printable booklets and worksheets designed for primary students, blending science and Māori starlore. If you haven’t downloaded them yet, you can still access the full set and enjoy hands-on learning at home or school.
Spring School Holiday Promotion
School holidays are here, and it’s the perfect time to bring the whānau for a day at the Henge. Don’t forget our special offer:
- For every two paying adults, two primary school students go free.
- Or book a Family Pass online with the code SPRINGHOLIDAYPASS.
Come explore the stars, planets, and cultural stories of the sky right here in Wairarapa.
Looking Back: Spring Equinox
Thank you to everyone who joined us on September 23 for the Spring Equinox. Even with the shifting skies, it was a powerful reminder of how the Sun connects us to cycles of balance, change, and renewal.
Orionid Meteor Shower & Orion Rising
The Orionid Meteor Shower is lighting up our skies this month, active from October 2 to November 7 2025 and peaking on October 21–22. These meteors are fragments from Halley’s Comet, streaking brightly across the night sky.
Here at Stonehenge Aotearoa, the constellation Orion rises at around 9:30 PM on October 24. During our Star Trek Laser Tour at 9:30 PM, Orion will just be lifting above the eastern hills. By the time we step outside to view the night sky, Orion will be clearly visible, creating the perfect backdrop for spotting meteors.
It’s a rare opportunity to connect the stories of the stars, the science of astronomy, and the wonder of a live celestial event.