Celestial Fireworks!
Shooting stars are not stars at all; they are meteoroids, tiny particles that enter and burn up in the Earth's atmosphere, creating the luminous trails we observe. They range in size from a grain of sand to a small pebble. Shooting stars exhibit a stunning array of colours influenced by the composition of the meteoroid and atmospheric conditions. Common colors include white, yellow, and green, with occasional bursts of blue and red. The length of a meteor's streak of light varies, with factors such as size, speed, and entry angle contributing to the duration. Some meteors create short, quick streaks, while others produce long, dazzling trails that persist for several seconds. The nicest one I’ve ever seen had tiny white...
The Pleiades
The Pleiades, a standout among the constellations, is recognised as the most well known star cluster visible from all corners of the Earth within the constellation of Taurus. The best time to see the Pleiades in the Northern Hemisphere is from October to March, especially during the winter months. In the Southern Hemisphere, they're visible during the same months, but as a summer asterism, they appear lower in the sky. In New Zealand they disappear behind the sun during April and reappear mid June in the morning eastern sky, just before dawn. The reappearance marks the beginning of the Maori New Year. In New Zealand find the Pleiades by looking first for the three stars of Orion's belt. Extend the Belt line to the left (west),...
Glow in the dark space invaders mural
A timeless classic from the 1970's! I painted this one, then accidentally stood on it, so annoyed!! ... and the backing sheet got crumpled. Hit me up if you'd like a fresh version painted, this one is on clearance on Etsy. My son thinks the eyes should not be painted on an angle, because of pixels. What do you think?
How Do Glow in the Dark Stars Work?
Have you ever wondered how glow in the dark stars work? Discover the secret behind their luminous magic. The Power of Phosphors: At the heart of glow in the dark stars are special substances known as phosphors. They're not only used in glow stars but phosphors are also in tv, computer screens and other lighting. Some of these phosphors possess an amazing ability to absorb light energy and later release it as a gentle glow. Think of them as tiny energy reservoirs just waiting to shine! Phosphors can be either fluorescent or phosphorescent type substances. Fluorescent substances radiate energy immediately upon exposure to light, such as UV light, but stop glowing once the light source is removed. The fluorescent 'fast emission of light' type is found in fluorescent...
Black Holes
The Mystery of Black Holes in Space Have you ever wondered about what black holes in space actually are? I have because I've painted around a few. They're like cosmic vacuum cleaners, eating everything in their vicinity. But what exactly are they? A black hole is a space region where gravity is super strong. It happens when a massive star collapses and squeezes everything into a tiny space. The gravity becomes so powerful that not even light can escape – that's why it's called a black hole. There are two parts of a black hole: Singularity: That’s the center of a black hole, where all the star's mass is crammed into a tiny, super-dense point. Event Horizon: Imagine a point...
Enhancing Sensory Rooms: The Therapeutic Magic of Glow in the Dark Stars
Sensory rooms are specially designed spaces that provide a calming and stimulating environment for those with sensory processing challenges. Adding a little magic to these rooms can be achieved easily with glow in the dark star stickers. Creating a Tranquil Atmosphere: The gentle glow emitted by these stars can help create a calming atmosphere in a dark sensory room. The soft illumination provides a subtle source of light, reducing the reliance on harsh, bright lights that may be overwhelming for some people. Visual Stimulation and Focus: Glow in the dark stars offer a visually appealing point of focus. The calming effect of the soft light encourages individuals to engage visually with their surroundings without overstimulation. Promoting Relaxation and Comfort:...
Dancing in the Sky
The ethereal Northern Lights are also known as the Aurora Borealis. This natural light display, a celestial dance of colours and shapes, occurs in the polar regions and shows the Earth's dynamic relationship with the sun and the cosmos. The term "Aurora Borealis" originates from the Greek, with "Aurora" meaning "dawn" and "Boreas” for "wind.The Northern Lights are a result of interactions between charged particles from the sun, solar winds of electrons and protons, and the Earth's magnetic field. As these charged particles collide with the gases in our atmosphere, such as oxygen and nitrogen, they emit light in various colors. Oxygen produces red and green hues, while nitrogen contributes to purples and pinks. The lights are most observed in high-latitude...
Pegasus: The Winged Horse That Gallops through the Stars
Pegasus has his roots in Greek mythology, where he is said to have sprung forth from the blood of the Gorgon Medusa when she was slain by the hero Perseus. Born from the sea foam and blood, Pegasus emerged as a majestic winged horse with the power of flight. This mythical creature became the loyal steed of Bellerophon, aiding him in his battles against monsters like the Chimera. In the night sky, Pegasus is recognized by its distinctive square-shaped asterism known as the "Great Square of Pegasus." This pattern outlines the body of the winged horse and serves as a marker for stargazers. In the Northern Hemisphere Pegasus is visible during autumn evenings and in the Southern Hemisphere you can...
Nebulas: Celestial Clouds of Beauty
Nebula without a doubt are my absolutely favourite to paint for glow in the dark murals. They are described as the "cosmic clouds" of the universe. These celestial phenomena are composed of gas, dust, and various cosmic elements. They play a crucial role in the lifecycle of stars. What are Nebulas? Nebulas are massive clouds of gas and dust scattered throughout space. These clouds are made of various elements, such as hydrogen, helium, and other ionized gases. The term “nebula” comes from the Latin word for "cloud," and it describes the beautiful, hazy, cloud-like appearance of these cosmic structures. Types of Nebulas: Emission Nebulas: These are regions of space where gas is ionized by nearby stars, causing them to emit...
Clear Removable Vinyl Glow in the Dark Decals
Clear vinyl decals are now available for glow in the dark star ceilings. These are best for coloured backgrounds like dark blue/black ceilings. The clear glow decals are gloss finish, medium tack and removable but can bond more over time. These decals may not adhere to some anti-scuff/stain resistant paints, these type wall paints are used to prevent unwanted material sticking on them, including vinyl adhesive. If the wall has been painted with these types paints the easiest solution is to spray the decals with a clear spray adhesive. I realise most of us don't know what kind of paints are on our bedroom walls so contact me if you run into a problem. I'm happy to help, all my products come...