Matariki Rising in Dawn Winter Sky

Matariki (the Pleiades star group), the first appearance of which before sunrise indicates the beginning of the Maori year about mid June. More Info

This image taken in July shows the pre dawn sky looking east. Matariki (Pleiades) can be seen as small cluster of stars on the left of the picture. The bright star like object is the planet Venus. Also prominent are the constellations of Taurus and Orion.