One in a Billion

So, this astronomy thing...

When I first started at Carter Observatory there were 7 full time staff, about the same as now.  Some knew about astronomy, some knew about Te Ao Maori, some were Kiwis but several weren't.  It was a great time of team building and one thing we instigated was to share one space fact every day and I'd share one kupu / word each day so we shared our knowledge - at least as it related to the new Carter Observatory.

One of the early facts I learned that continues to blows my mind was that there are more stars in our universe than all the grains of sand on all the beaches and deserts of planet Earth!  Or put another way, more than all the heartbeats of every human being that's ever lived!

Now I don't know about you but that blows my very tiny mind and every day reminds me:

1. We're on this tiny spaceship called Earth - we'd do well to look after her and nurture her and work together to continue to live here - it's all we've got!

2. My problems I woke with this morning are tiny - in the scheme of things anyway - so perhaps a new perspective base on this information is worth considering.  It re frames my thinking and gives me a daily does of reality.

3. And reminds me of a quote by Carl Sagan, the late American Scientist, who said, “The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of star stuff.”
―Carl Sagan, Cosmos

I love this quote - it speaks of limitless potential and our ability to create our own reality.

So my workplace inspires me daily and reminds me of the vastness of our universe and the absolute wonder of the skies above.  My jaw drops now when I view a full Moon, or see the rings of Saturn, or can make out the constellation Scorpius in the winter sky.

My astronomy colleagues who know so much, make my journey through this aspect of tourism an absolute joy and a wonder to behold.  It is a marvelous thing to apply my knowledge and experience from a 25 year journey through the tourism sector to a new visitor experience with space as the primary subject matter.  To learn as I work is truly awesome.

It just goes to show that inspiration is right on our doorstep if we take the time to breathe.

“Every one of us is, in the cosmic perspective, precious. If a human disagrees with you, let him live. In a hundred billion galaxies, you will not find another.”
― Carl Sagan, Cosmos

It's a new day

It's been a while, actually a couple of years since I wrote in my blog.  I've decided to resurrect it and to continue sharing my thoughts relating to various aspects of my world.  For work that's all around tourism.  For my life, well it's a vast and wonderous place :)

I now work at the Carter Observatory here in Wellington.  I began the role of Marketing & Communications Manager back in February 2010, just a month or so before we re-opened as a revamped visitor attraction.  Of course, by name, it's all about space and here we use the science, culture and heritage of the Southern Skies to excite, engage and inspire our visitors.

Our Maori name "Te Ara Whanui ki te Rangi" was gifted to us by the people of  Te Ati Awa and means the expansive pathway to the heavens.  I love it!  It really signifies just what we're about, it's all a journey to find meaning in our lives and a visit her gives new perspectives to many.

New Zealand is blessed in having much better viewing of the beautiful skies above us.  Most visitors from around the world simply don't see the stars at night.  I think there is a great opportunity for us to develop this offering and raise the awareness of it as part of a 100% Pure New Zealand experience.

Our colleagues at Earth and Sky in lake Tekapo and Stardome in Auckland held a special event at TRENZ recently to do just that.  The dozen or so people who attended the evening left totally blown by seeing the planet Saturn through a telescope!  They saved the image on their phones and shared the shit out of it - why?  Because it's a rare and wonderous sight, it has brag value and well it changes you.

So you'll probably hear a bit more from me around this topic but I am a convert!

Po marie