Written: 22nd Feb 2010 | Last Updated: 22nd Feb 2010
Since moving to the Southern Hemisphere some 48 years ago, I have become passionate about our southern night sky, and the Crux Australis in particular, it being the iconic astronomical emblem for Australia and Australians (OK, I’ll be generous, New Zealanders, too!). It’s on our flag, and therefore in our hearts. Just check out how many young, and not so young, Aussies have tattoos of the Southern Cross on backs and chests, breasts and behinds, cheeks and bronzed arms. We love “our” constellation, and whenever far away, in the northern half of the globe, note its absence with real sadness. It means a lot to us to “own” that piece of Heaven.
So, when recently in Hawaii, where I found out you can see the Southern Cross from certain places - like the tops of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea - or sometimes very low on the horizon elsewhere, I was a little bit miffed, as any true-blue Aussie would be, because we don’t really want above-equator folks to own our stars, too.
While staying on the beautiful island of Lana’i, I discovered that the northern sky is astonishing, too. On a crystal clear February night, my hubby and I walked out into the magnificent grounds of the Lodge at Koele and stood by the large pond; we were just far enough away from the lit-up world to appreciate the extraordinary show above us. The winter heavens were brilliant! We have sky-watched in the remote outback and at sea while sailing in various parts of the Pacific, but can’t recall ever seeing such a diamond-studded display. Perhaps it was because we were celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary, and in the mood for such stellar beauty. Or perhaps it was because somebody up there wanted us to know that the whole world is magnificent, not just certain segments of it.
We stood together in awe of Nature, and of the special moments She gives us when we least expect them.