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The Winter 2010 issue of The Earth Scientist includes a variety of educational resources, ranging from astronomy to glaciers. Check out the other publications and classroom materials in our online store.

Mythology of the Polynesian islands

Visit the links to learn about the Polynesian myths related to objects in the sky, and aspects of their world.

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<a href="/mythology/planets/dwarf_planets/makemake.html">Makemake</a> was the creator of humanity and the god of fertility in the mythology of the South Pacific island of Rapa Nui (also known as Easter Island). He was also the chief god of the bird-man cult, and was worshipped in the form of sea birds. This image shows a petroglyph of Makemake on Easter Island. In July 2008, a <a href="/our_solar_system/dwarf_planets/makemake.html">recently discovered dwarf planet</a> was named after Makemake.<p><small><em> Public domain image/Wikipedia Commons</em></small></p>

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Explore Mythology of the Polynesian islands

Maori: Papa

According to the Maori people of New Zealand, Rangi was the Sky Father and his wife was the ...Read more

Maori: Tangaroa

Tangaroa was one of the children of the Sky Father, Rangi, and Mother Earth,Papa. He was the ...Read more

Maori: Tawhiri

Tawhiri was very angry with his brothers. They disagreed about whether their parents, Rangi ...Read more

Maori: Rona

Rona was the daughter of the sea god Tangaroa. She was the Tide Controller. One night she ...Read more

Maori: Rangi

According to the Maori people of New Zealand, Rangi was the Sky Father and his wife was the ...Read more

Hawaii: Pele

Pele is a fire goddess according to the people of Hawaii. She is a savage and wrathful divinity ...Read more

Hawaii: Haumea

Haumea was the goddess of childbirth in Hawaiian mythology. One of her children was the volcano ...Read more

Maui

Maui was a hero of Polynesian mythology. For Maui and his mother the days were too short. For ...Read more

Rapa Nui: Makemake

Makemake was the creator of humanity and the god of fertility in the mythology of the South ...Read more

Historical Events

4/17 Death of Benjamin Franklin, American statesman and scientist, on this date in 1790 Details
4/18 Great San Francisco Earthquake, estimated magnitude of 7.8, on San Andreas Fault in 1906
4/19 F5 tornado hits Brownwood, Texas on this date in 1976

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Did you know?

Did you know that many cultures have had myths about the Sun?

Did you know that we look back in time when we look into the cosmos?

 

Earth and Space Science Concept of the Day

Do you know what this word or phrase means?

Riparian
xRiparian : The bank of a river or other body of water; may include the floodplains

Click on the word to find out!

Research Highlights

East Africa's Lake Tanganyika is Warming More Than Ever Before

Geologists think that the waters of Lake Tanganyika, a long lake located in East Africa, has experienced a huge amount of warming in the last 100 years. Currently, the surface water of this lake is the...Read more


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