Sky watch

Square of Pegasus easy to spot in northern sky

This week I would like to encourage you to head out after sunset and explore some of the constellations on show in the northern sky. The moon was new yesterday morning which means its light will...

As far as you can see

With the new moon occurring on Friday morning Ian Griffin hopes to enjoy some wonderful views of the heavens in a sky devoid of moonlight.

Photographing Tiangong the perfect excuse for a jaunt to Tekapo

Since its launch in 1998, the International space station (ISS) has become a familiar sight. Many have seen it as a very bright “star” slowly crossing the sky in the hours after sunset or before...

Go out on the full to observe the moon

Go out on the full to observe the moon

The moon is full at 3.57am on Thursday in Dunedin. It rises the previous evening at 7.38pm just to the north of east. It should be a beautiful sight opposite the setting sun as the sky darkens.

Tracking the passing days

Ian Griffin's capturing the daily motion of the sun using analogue photography.

Over sea and sky

When the moon is very low in the sky, atmospheric refraction distorts its shape and colour. Oceanic moonrises are certainly worthy of attention, writes Ian Griffin.

Lockdown allows for spot of sunspot watching

Usually, when working, my habit at lunchtime is to grab a sandwich from the fine selection at the museum cafe. If the weather is nice I wander outside to find a sunny spot in the reserve where I can spend a few minutes to relax and top up my tan, writes Ian Griffin.

Mercury is rising, best time to enjoy views

You really cannot miss Venus after sunset at the moment. If the sky is clear, the planet is visible as an incredibly bright white "star" high in the western sky as darkness falls.

Moon draws eye to Uranus

This week I’d like to invite you to get out of bed a couple of hours before sunrise to embark on a pre-dawn hunt for Uranus.

Jupiter at opposition an amazing sight

Jupiter, taken from Ian Griffin’s observatory recently. PHOTO: IAN GRIFFIN

Jupiter at opposition an amazing sight

When the sun sets tonight, turn your back to it. As the sky darkens you will be greeted by the marvellous sight of Saturn, the waxing gibbous moon and Jupiter rising in the eastern sky. All three...

Mars meets Mercury after sunset

There really is a lot of planetary action going on in the sky after sunset at the moment. This week, if you have access to an unobstructed view to the west I’d like to set you a bit of a celestial...

Venus putting on 8-yearly show

Venus floats above Kapukataumahaka, Mt Cargill in the western sky. PHOTO: IAN GRIFFIN

Venus putting on 8-yearly show

There's a rather beautiful harmony between the orbits of Venus and Earth, writes Ian Griffin.

The lord of the rings

Saturn is seen clearly in this photo taken from Portobello last weekend. PHOTO: IAN GRIFFIN

The lord of the rings

Saturn is directly opposite the sun just before 6pm on Monday (August 2). Astronomers call this the moment of planetary opposition. Saturn is at its brightest because it is at its closest point to...

Watching Sirius rise over Hereweka

Otago Harbour’s waters became a perfect mirror recently, reflecting starlight, and streetlights....

Watching Sirius rise over Hereweka

One of the joys of living on Otago Peninsula is the excitement of my morning journey to work, writes Ian Griffin, and this time of year it coincides with sunrise.

Mars to meet Venus in the evening sky

If the sky is clear, and you are out and about after the sun sets this week, you really can’t miss Venus. The planet is putting on a stunning display in the northwestern sky. Look for a brilliant...

Moon makes way for giants

Although Saturn is much dimmer than Jupiter, it will be easy to pick out as a bright yellow...

Moon makes way for giants

This week if the sky is clear, Ian Griffin invites you to wrap up warm and head out to take a look at the Eastern sky after 10pm.

Passing points of light

The path of the sun through to sunset, captured by a pinhole camera over 262 days. PHOTO: IAN...

Passing points of light

The southern hemisphere winter solstice occurred on Monday at 3.32pm. I was excited about this year’s solstice since it marked the end of a photography project that began on October 1 last year,...

Mars real treat in open cluster constellation

The sun reaches its northernmost point in its annual journey around the sky at 3.32pm on June 21. This marks the exact moment of the southern hemisphere winter solstice.

Plenty to see as the winter nights draw in

With little more than a week to go until the winter solstice, the nights are really drawing in, writes Ian Griffin.

Don't miss celestial highlight

Photos compiled from a previous eclipse. PHOTOS: IAN GRIFFIN

Don't miss celestial highlight

Whatever your plans are for Wednesday night, drop them. One of the celestial highlights of 2021 is about to occur, and you don’t want to miss it, says Ian Griffin.

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Sky watch