Meteors / New Zealand, Canterbury
Meteors: Lake Tekapo, Aoraki Mackenzie
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Where to stand
Walk out of the village along the lake shore, away from the lights. From the southern hemisphere you get a good view of showers with southern radiants, such as the η-Aquariids. Paid sky tours in the area are run by the Dark Sky Project, among others.
Horizon
A lake and a wide basin; the sky is open, with the Southern Alps to the west
Sky darkness (Bortle scale): 2
Rules
Much of the land around the lake is private grazing, so do not climb fences. Do not use white torches or point headlights at other observers.
About the spot
The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve was created in 2012 and covers more than 4,300 km² of the Mackenzie Basin. The sky here rates class 2 on the Bortle scale, and local rules have limited outdoor lighting since 1981. The lakeside village of Tekapo is the centre of astro-tourism.
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