Photo by Mt John University Observatory Maki Yanagimachi, Earth and Sky Ltd. -- Otago Daily Times 13/10/2012

A time-lapse photograph taken from the Mt John University Observatory above Lake Tekapo  (NZ) shows the spectacular circular orbit of stars making up the southern sky. The view is looking at the south celestial pole. Star trails are the paths left by stars, seen from the Earth. As the Earth spins, the stars appear to move and make circles in the sky.

The clear night sky over the Mackenzie Basin (NZ) is being promoted as a night-sky reserve for the region at the United Nations.