Linda Hall: Starry sky a sight to treasure

Linda Hall.

I can't remember who pointed out "the pot" in the night sky to me. It seems to me that I've always known it was there, just like the giant lying on his back in the Havelock Hills.

It must have been my parents, I guess.

I love the night sky and always look up when I'm outside after dark.

I have been known to stand in the backyard on top of the wooden picnic table picking out different constellations and looking at our beautiful moon, especially when it's full.

This was especially so when I did an astronomy course about six years ago. I must admit I've forgotten a lot of what I learned.

On Saturday night I was babysitting a nearly 6-year-old and nearly 4-year-old.

Just on dusk, we were outside and could see the moon. It was a beautiful evening and we watched as Jupiter shone brightly beside the moon, and then a bit later we could see Mars and Saturn.

Both children were excitedly telling me about Matariki. I asked them what Matariki means. From the nearly 6-year-old: "Oh, it was in the olden days when some people died and then they got thrown really high into the sky and now they are stars to light the way."

From the nearly 4-year-old: "It means mummy has to wear her pyjamas to my kindy, and me too, and we are going to have a party and eat some food."

You learn a lot when you are babysitting.

Last Saturday when I was babysitting a nearly 5-year-old and a 3-year-old, I learned it's better to wear sparkly shoes rather than sneakers to the playground and that you can never have too much jewellery on. Necklace, earrings, bracelets and beautiful headbands can, in fact must, be worn before one leaves the house, and two small girls under age 5 can eat all but one slice of a pizza.

I've also learned that a handstand can be done anywhere, inside or outside, and that you never know when it's going to happen so one must be on guard at all times just in case a foot arrives in other little people's faces or your own midriff.

Right, back to the stars. There were no street lights where I was on Saturday night and later that evening I went outside and looked up. Just beautiful.

I can't imagine what it would be like to have such bad pollution that you couldn't see the stars.

However, according to an article I read yesterday, people who live in urban areas in countries like Israel, Argentina and Saudi Arabia can't see the Milky Way because of pollution.

Our beautiful clear sky is drawing tourists from these countries. Amazing.

I know a lot of people were, and still are, unhappy about the regional council banning certain types of non-complying and older fires, but when you read stories about countries who have two generations of people that have never seen the Milky Way perhaps we have to thank our lucky stars that someone cares enough to look after our night view.

I was one of those people who had to replace my fire, and yes it did cost a lot of money, but it also made a huge difference. We had an open fire that we had to practically sit on to get warm. Now we have an inbuilt fire that heats the entire house, and doesn't use as much wood, so less pollution.

I'd like to think that my great-great grandchildren will still be able to see the pot.

- Linda Hall is assistant editor of Hawke's Bay Today.