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Sky watch

The MixMay 22

The universe we don’t see

The night sky we share online is not quite the one we actually stand beneath.
The universe we don’t see
The universe we don’t see
The MixMay 1

Pragmatic word, poetic sight

Pragmatic word, poetic sight
Pragmatic word, poetic sight
The MixApril 3

Hype here second time around

Dunedin is preparing itself for a magnificent celestial event. Committees are forming. Plans are being drawn up. Accommodation, one suspects, will soon be priced as if the Sun itself were staying the night. All this for the total solar eclipse of July 22, 2028 — a rare and rather beautiful interruption to the usual order of things.
Hype here second time around
Hype here second time around
The MixAugust 15

The sun shines still on the very least of creation

On clear August evenings in Otago, after the Sun has slipped below the horizon and the day’s colour is draining from the sky, you might notice something unusual in the west.
The sun shines still on the very least of creation
The sun shines still on the very least of creation
The MixJuly 25

Observatory opens to the sky

After months of preparation, trips to the hardware store, more than a few late-night YouTube tutorials and a memorable encounter with a Middlemarch nor’wester, Ian Griffin is now the proud owner of an observatory.
Observatory opens to the sky
Observatory opens to the sky
The MixJuly 18

Dawn-lit dance of moon, stars

If you’re up early on Monday wrap up warm and step outside. Look northeast just before 6.30am and you’ll see something quietly beautiful: the crescent moon drifting close to Matariki, the star cluster, also known as the Pleiades. It’s a slow celestial conversation, one that unfolds above frost-covered roofs and sleeping streets.
Dawn-lit dance of moon, stars
Dawn-lit dance of moon, stars
The MixFebruary 28

Of planets and lunations

The moon was new at 1.44pm on Friday. That moment marked the commencement of lunation number 1264.
Of planets and lunations
Of planets and lunations
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Sponsored ContentApril 13

New jewel in the crown

If you head out after midnight this month, you can’t miss bright orange Arcturus, some 25 degrees above the northern horizon.
New jewel in the crown
New jewel in the crown
The MixSeptember 22

A chance to spot comet Nishimura

At 6.50pm this evening, the sun's centre crosses the celestial equator. This event marks the southern hemisphere spring equinox. At the equinox, the rising and setting sun meets the horizon at its steepest possible angle, making twilight shorter than at any other time of year.
A chance to spot comet Nishimura
A chance to spot comet Nishimura
The MixJune 2

Lunar occultation — star gone in the blink of an eye

The moon is full on Sunday afternoon at 3.42pm which means that bright moonlight will wash out the dimmer stars all night.
Lunar occultation — star gone in the blink of an eye
Lunar occultation — star gone in the blink of an eye
EntertainmentMay 20

The Moon, Mars and Venus

The new moon occurred in the early hours of this morning.
The Moon, Mars and Venus
The Moon, Mars and Venus
The MixMarch 26

Waxing moon escorts a descending Matariki

The moon reaches the first-quarter phase on Wednesday just after 3.30pm. For the early part of the week, stargazers in our region will enjoy fine views of the waxing lunar crescent after sunset.
Waxing moon escorts a descending Matariki
Waxing moon escorts a descending Matariki
The MixMarch 5

Awe-inspiring solar observations

If you think that astronomy is purely a nocturnal hobby, you would be mistaken. One star, the sun, is visible every cloudless day.
Awe-inspiring solar observations
Awe-inspiring solar observations
The MixFebruary 26

Beacons of night sky have colourful history

According to legend, centaurs were generally a fearsome and unruly bunch. 
Beacons of night sky have colourful history
Beacons of night sky have colourful history
The MixDecember 11

So you want a telescope for Christmas?

With equipment prices ranging from tens to thousands of dollars, the wrong choice of telescope could make for an expensive mistake.
So you want a telescope for Christmas?
So you want a telescope for Christmas?
The MixSeptember 25

Once around the sun in a figure of eight

The spring equinox occurred Friday at 1.03pm. The moment the sun crosses the celestial equator heading south is always a cause for celebration in the astronomy-loving Griffin household.
Once around the sun in a figure of eight
Once around the sun in a figure of eight
The MixJuly 11

Nothing particularly super on closer inspection

Though July’s full moon is the closest, biggest and brightest of the year, it's not particularly super, writes Ian Griffin.
Nothing particularly super on closer inspection
Nothing particularly super on closer inspection
The MixMay 29

Gemini beneath the waxing moon

While the morning sky is interesting, we must not ignore the evening, writes Ian Griffin.
Gemini beneath the waxing moon
Gemini beneath the waxing moon
The MixMay 22

Gazing out across the galaxy

Watching the centre of the Milky Way ascend over Otago’s beautiful landscape is one of the most inspirational sights available to Kiwi sky watchers, writes Ian Griffin.
Gazing out across the galaxy
Gazing out across the galaxy
The MixMay 15

Monday’s lunar eclipse may be challenge to see

Anyone expecting to see a beautiful bright full moon clearing the southeastern horizon on Monday is in for a bit of a rare surprise.
Monday’s lunar eclipse may be challenge to see
Monday’s lunar eclipse may be challenge to see
The MixMay 8

All that glitters

Ian Griffin loves observing the night sky from the back bays of Otago Peninsula.
All that glitters
All that glitters
The MixMay 1

A compunction to see a conjunction

For the past few weeks, four planets, all visible to the unaided eye, have been putting on a mesmerizing show for early rising stargazers. The daily change in their relative positions has been a source of constant fascination for this keen sky watcher.
A compunction to see a conjunction
A compunction to see a conjunction
The MixApril 24

In awe at airglow

The moon reaches last quarter tonight and will be new on May 1. With moonrise just before midnight, and roughly an hour later with each passing day, the early part of the night will be the best time to enjoy stargazing under dark autumnal skies.
In awe at airglow
In awe at airglow
The MixApril 17

Light from a supermassive black hole

This week, Ian Griffin encourages stargazers to hunt for a remarkable object which has fascinated stargazers since it was first observed on April 29, 1826, by the astronomer James Dunlop.
Light from a supermassive black hole
Light from a supermassive black hole
The MixMarch 31

Chasing the ultimate image

The clocks go back one hour tomorrow at 3am. As a result, for those of us who commute at the same time each day, mornings suddenly get lighter and evenings darker as a result of the time change.
Chasing the ultimate image
Chasing the ultimate image