The Sky · find Matariki tonight

Before dawn in late June or early July, face north-east.
Find Tautoru (Orion's Belt) → trace a line up and left across Taumata-Kuku (Aldebaran) → keep going to the cluster.

Tonight · for your location

Rises ~ 5:48 AM NZST

Date · Location Auckland (default)

Approximation. Public release uses Skyfield-on-Lambda for precise heliacal rise per latitude.

What to look for

Tautoru is three bright stars in a near-perfect row — Orion's Belt. From the southern hemisphere they rise on their side. Look NE.

Taumata-Kuku (Aldebaran) is a single bright orange star above and left of Tautoru. Notice its colour — it stands out from everything around it.

Keep tracing past Taumata-Kuku in the same direction. The cluster of small, close-set blue stars is Matariki. Most people see six or seven at first glance — the keenest see nine.

For Whanganui, Taranaki, and Te Tai Tokerau / Te Waipounamu, look west of Tautoru instead — Puanga (Rigel) is a single bright star, the marker of the year.

📱 Point your phone at the sky

Hold your phone up and slowly sweep the horizon. The site reads your phone's compass + tilt and tells you when you're facing the cluster.

Karakia by Prof. Rangiānehu Mātāmua.
Published by Te Arawhiti / Manatū Taonga at matariki.com.
© Rangi Matamua 2023. Used under matariki.com non-commercial celebration terms.
ISBN 978-1-77550-870-0 (Online).