Honouring our animal companions in death
In a recent "Faith and Reason" column, David Tombs wrote about Gravedigger Bob, a Brazilian dog that so missed its master that it camped out in his cemetery and was ultimately buried there.
Science
Lunar eclipse perfectly placed
Lunar eclipse perfectly placed
On Tuesday evening, as the last light fades over Otago Harbour and the first stars appear, something rather wonderful will begin.
The Dian are cast
The Dian are cast
When I tell colleagues I am involved in a research project at Shangri-La, they think I am teasing.
Tuesday’s triangle in Taurus
Tuesday’s triangle in Taurus
On Tuesday night, just after dinner, step outside and look east.
Tempestuous travels
Tempestuous travels
The recent Waitangi Day celebrations remind me of how a copy of the Treaty came to Otago.
Sky’s chemistry creates jewel
Sky’s chemistry creates jewel
Out here in the Strath Taieri, the nights have started to feel like autumn again — colder, steadier: the sort of air that makes the stars look as though someone has polished them.
A fleeting visit
A fleeting visit
Out at Middlemarch, the night has a way of settling in properly.
Thinking big 50 years on
Thinking big 50 years on
Gold is in the news, with opinion divided over the proposed Bendigo mine near Tarras.
Art colours in the story
Art colours in the story
It was 10 years ago, on a balmy warm evening in Greece, that I yarned with Mike Petraglia during a gathering to celebrate our son Tom and Katerina’s wedding.
Fashionably late to my own party
Fashionably late to my own party
Space weather, I’ve learned, behaves very much like normal weather.
Warmed by the moon’s smile
Warmed by the moon’s smile
The moon has been keeping me company again this week, lifting itself into the evening sky with a calm, unhurried assurance.
Wonders of warrior’s grave revealed
Wonders of warrior’s grave revealed
King Nestor features prominently in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, as his drama of the Trojan wars unfolded.
Sandflies enjoying soggy summer
Sandflies enjoying soggy summer
Overcast, humid weather favours sandflies, which are starting to be reported.
Hot tub astronomy in summer
Hot tub astronomy in summer
The western horizon from my Middlemarch place has improved markedly of late.
Up close and mesmerised
Up close and mesmerised
The Shanghai Archaeological Forum is held biannually and I have been fortunate to have attended all six.
Up to their new tricks
Up to their new tricks
Over the past week, the media have been reporting on a new discovery — that 450,000 years ago, Neanderthals were generating fire, far earlier than previously known.
Marvels captured moment to moment
Marvels captured moment to moment
As this is the final Skywatch column for the year, it feels like the right moment to look back rather than up — though, of course, I’ve done plenty of both.
Cosy stargazing from home
Cosy stargazing from home
Occasionally, astronomy presents you with a piece of technology that changes your life.
Exploring the digital tomb of Tutankhamun
Exploring the digital tomb of Tutankhamun
Inevitably almost, I have to write about Tutankhamun.
A great year in archaeology back in 1922
A great year in archaeology back in 1922
Several readers have asked me about Pu-Abi, mentioned in last week’s column — 1922 was a memorable year for archaeology.