Time's arrow rarely allows us to revisit the past and reflect on our heritage in light of experience. However, thanks to a chance cosmic resonance between planets, that's precisely what's going to happen this year.
Sunday night's a great chance to view the moon and planets Mars and Uranus, weather permitting, writes Ian Griffin.
It's nearly the summer solstice and there's a plethora of exciting events going on in the sky, writes Ian Griffin.
If sky gods are reading this column, I'm hoping they will look kindly upon Otago stargazers and give us cloud-free nights next weekend, writes Ian Griffin.
This week there's a rare opportunity for stargazers across our region to view Neptune, the outermost planet, when it appears close to Mars in the evening sky.
The moon is full on Friday night and should be a magnificent sight, Ian Griffin writes.
SKY WATCH: There's a lot going on in the sky at the moment, so if you are at a loose end over the next few nights head out for some stargazing, writes Ian Griffin.
With daylight increasing as we head towards the summer solstice in December, the familiar winter star patterns are disappearing into sunset's vivid glow, writes Ian Griffin.
SKY WATCH: There's a celestial treat in store for Oamaruvians on Saturday night - but be quick, writes Ian Griffin.
We live in an age in which tools are available that enable us to ''see'' some truly remarkable celestial vistas which would otherwise be invisible, writes Ian Griffin.
The moon was full yesterday, so for the next few nights, bright moonlight will wash out all but the brightest stars for most of the night.
SKY WATCH: If it's clear tonight, make a point to head out and catch a glimpse of Venus, which is outstandingly bright, writes Ian Griffin.
''Oh my goodness, it's so spooky, and it's moving. It's all over the sky and the colours, just wow, WOW!''
SKY WATCH: One of the joys of living in Portobello is watching the sun set behind hills on the other side of Otago Harbour, writes Ian Griffin.
A few weeks back I was allocated time to observe Mars, using one of the telescopes at the University of Canterbury's Mt John Observatory.
SKY WATCH: The middle weeks of August provide some of Ian Griffin's favourite commutes of the year.
Ever since becoming interested in astronomy, I have always enjoyed taking pictures of the night sky. You might think that astrophotography would be an enormously complicated hobby, but actually it...
It's late on Monday afternoon and I've just woken up after one of the most memorable nights of skywatching in my half-century on this planet.
SKY WATCH: Saturday's eclipse of the moon should be a stunning sight even to the naked eye, writes Ian Griffin.
Stargazers across Otago get to enjoy a celestial treat this week. For the first time in quite a while, it's possible to see all of the naked-eye planets and the moon simultaneously.
