Arcturus is a red giant star and the fourth-brightest star in the night sky, and is located 36.7 light years from the Sun. When viewed from Earth, it appears to be positioned almost at the north galactic pole of the Milky Way. The name Arcturus is Latinised from the Greek meaning 'keeper or guardian of the bear', which refers to the its position adjacent to the tail of the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear).
Arcturus's light was employed in the mechanism used to open the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. The star was chosen as it was thought that light from Arcturus had started its journey at about the time of the previous Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. At 9:15 pm on May 27, 1933, four telescopes located in different observatories captured the light from Arcturus and focused it into photoelectric cells, which in turn worked as the switch that turned on the main spotlights to open the exhibition.
The Wotjobaluk Koori people of southeastern Australia knew Arcturus as Marpean-kurrk, mother of Djuit (Antares) and another star in Boötes, Weet-kurrk[ Muphrid). ts appearance in the north signified the arrival of the larvae of the wood ant (a food item) in spring. The beginning of summer was marked by the star's setting with the Sun in the west and the disappearance of the larvae.
This cache is a micro bison located in an area of public bushland. Native animals including kangaroos, birds and lizards are especially common, but as with most ACT bush areas, please be mindful of snakes in the warmer months.