The Milky Way
The home of our Solar System is known as the Milky Way. It is a barred spiral galaxy made from a huge collection of stars, dust and gas. When viewed from earth, the Milky Way appears in the night sky as a diffuse band of light. The billions of stars that form the galaxy seem to melt together to form a hazy glow. Around 2,500 years ago, a Greek thinker named Democritus was the first to suggest that the Milky Way is made up of individual stars. Fast forward to the 17th century, and Galileo Galilei used his telescope to confirm this idea. He showed that the bright band we see in the night sky isn't just a blur but a...
Which Meteor Showers can be seen in New Zealand?
New Zealand, being in the Southern Hemisphere, experiences different night sky views than locations in the Northern Hemisphere. This can affect the visibility of meteor showers.Meteor showers are connected with debris trails left by comets or asteroids, and these dust trails are distributed in space in a specific way. When Earth orbits the Sun, it passes through these trails during certain times of the year. Meteor showers that are more favourable for observation in the Northern Hemisphere may not be as visible or may not even occur in the Southern Hemisphere, and vice versa.Meteors appear to radiate from specific areas in the sky, creating what is known as a radiant point. Shooting stars can be seen all over the night sky, but...
Do I Need to Paint my Ceiling Black for Glow in the Dark Stars?
The choice between white or dark surfaces for a glow in the dark star ceiling or wall display depends on the effect you want to achieve and the visibility of the phosphorescent glow. White Surfaces: Pros: White surfaces reflect more light, which can enhance the visibility of the phosphorescent glow at night. During the day, a white wall paint can further help charge the stars by reflecting ambient light onto them. The daytime colour of the star ceiling stickers range from yellow to white but generally on a white ceiling star stickers will not be highly noticeable during daylight hours. Black or Dark Blue Surfaces: Pros: Black or dark blue surfaces provide a strong contrast for the star...
The Majesty of Leo
In the vast night sky, among the many stars that shine overhead, one constellation stands out for its regal presence ~ Leo, the celestial lion. Named after the Latin word for lion, Leo is a prominent constellation in the zodiac. Located in the spring northern hemisphere sky, Leo is one of the twelve constellations of the zodiac, those constellations in which the sun appears to move through. In the Southern hemisphere Leo can be seen in the autumn. Its distinct shape is often likened to a lion, with a prominent backward question mark forming the head and mane, and a triangle representing the lion's hindquarters. This is one constellation whose animal shape is easily imagined. At the heart of Leo...
2024 Glow in the Dark Collection
Starting the creative journey for the upcoming glow in the dark collection in 2024 is exciting. Among the mystical creations taking shape, the ethereal angel wing decals have already been a highlight. These luminescent wings transform bedroom walls into dream realms of the heavenly and divine. Just a little boho as well with the defined feathers. I could paint many versions of these, they’re so fun to paint. Ombre in design, they transition from glow aqua hues to violets. To amplify their luminosity, a high-powered flashlight or UV light can be used for charging, enhancing the radiance of these wings of the night. When daylight/sunlight or bright CFL/LED room lights are used there is subtler glow of ambient light throughout...
Can Blue Light from Glow in the Dark Stars Affect my Sleep?
While intense and blue-rich evening light can possibly disrupt sleep, the glow from phosphorescent stars lacks the power to affect sleep patterns. Glow in the dark stars enhance a peaceful and natural bedtime environment, so you can enjoy sweet starry dreams! Glow in the dark stars are made from phosphorescent materials that absorb and store light energy, gently releasing it over time as a soft glow. In contrast to the bright and harsh blue light emitted by digital screens or electric devices, the mellow radiance of luminescent stars is not strong enough to reduce melatonin production. It can't interupt your natural sleep-wake cycle. Instead, the starry glow contributes to a relaxing atmosphere. These stars provide a sense of calmness, supportive of a restful night's sleep, especially when added into...
Realistic Glow in the Dark Stars for Rest Home Seniors
Rest homes should serve as havens of comfort and care for our seniors, every element of their environment plays a crucial role in shaping their well-being. 1. Therapeutic Decor for Seniors: Glow stars are not just for the kids! The soft radiance realistic stars emit provides a calming visual stimulus, contributing to an overall sense of well-being. A small cluster of stars can work better than covering the whole ceiling. Keep in mind that an abundance of stars creates a dynamic busy atmosphere, while opting for fewer stars evokes a sense of peace. 2. Rest Home Ambiance: Imagine a rest home where the ceilings come alive with the gentle glow of stars, transforming the atmosphere into one of tranquility and...
My favourite glow painting as we come to the end of 2023
I love this glow in the dark banner. It features an ombre nebula that glows more intensely towards the centre with the aqua glow colours. The ends are tinged with blues and violets. The stars are the Christmas type stars and there are loads of tiny starry details on this one. This one is 6' x 2' and I'll have a thinner banner mural of 6' x 1' later on in the store. The thinner banner would be nice for a space that is closer to the bed. It's painted on my trusty white peel and stick material so it sticks well to almost everything. Like all the other murals, the photoluminescent paint in the nebula glows all night. I like to charge...
A Comet's Tale
What Are Comets? Comets are cosmic snowballs composed of ice, dust, and volatile gases. These wanderers originate from the outer regions of our solar system, specifically the Oort Cloud and the Kuiper Belt. Unlike planets, comets have elliptical orbits, bringing them close to the Sun at times and then sending them back into the depths of space. A Quick Comet Anatomy: The Nucleus: The solid core of a comet is called the nucleus, consisting of water ice, frozen gases, dust, and organic compounds. It is relatively small, often just a few kilometers in diameter. Some glow green! Coma: As a comet approaches the Sun, solar radiation causes the nucleus to release gases, creating a glowing atmosphere called the coma. This...