appear to form doorways. These frame the rising points of the Sun, the Moon, and bright stars that are either important seasonal markers or navigational beacons. Equinoxes, solstices and Matariki As the Earth orbits around the Sun, the north and south poles are alternately tilted towards the Sun. The Sun's altitude therefore increases and decreases during the year, producing seasons. Stonehenge Aotearoa's six heel stones mark the place where the Sun is rising and setting at solstices and equinoxes. The stone sculpture "the Fingers of Mother Earth" marks the place where the heliacal rising of Matariki can be observed around the winter solstice in June. See also Stonehenge replicas and derivatives References External links Stonehenge Aotearoa web site The Phoenix Astronomical Society BBC News article The video for "The Free Way" by Stefan Wolf was partly filmed at Stonehenge Aotearoa Buildings and structures in the Wairarapa Tourist attractions in the Wellington Region Stonehenge replicas and derivatives Carterton District