Chance to see comet in southern skies
Chance to see comet in southern skies
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.
Sky watch
Mars a guide to finding Neptune
Mars a guide to finding Neptune
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.
Full moon in Taurus
Full moon in Taurus
The moon is full on Friday night and should be a magnificent sight, Ian Griffin writes.
Plenty to look for in night sky
Plenty to look for in night sky
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.
Farewell, Scorpius
Farewell, Scorpius
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.
ISS in sky over in blink of an eye
ISS in sky over in blink of an eye
SKY WATCH: There's a celestial treat in store for Oamaruvians on Saturday night - but be quick, writes Ian Griffin.
Orion a celestial wonderland
Orion a celestial wonderland
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.
Chance to spot the seventh planet
Chance to spot the seventh planet
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.
Observing Venus
Observing Venus
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.
An extraordinary aurora
An extraordinary aurora
''Oh my goodness, it's so spooky, and it's moving. It's all over the sky and the colours, just wow, WOW!''
A sunset panorama
A sunset panorama
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.
Observing the Eagle Nebula
Observing the Eagle Nebula
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.
Moon, Venus in the evening sky
Moon, Venus in the evening sky
SKY WATCH: The middle weeks of August provide some of Ian Griffin's favourite commutes of the year.
The wonder of star trails
The wonder of star trails
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...
Pleasing planetary plethora
Pleasing planetary plethora
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.
A spectacular eclipse of the moon
A spectacular eclipse of the moon
SKY WATCH: Saturday's eclipse of the moon should be a stunning sight even to the naked eye, writes Ian Griffin.
One moon, five planets
One moon, five planets
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.
Sky watch: Another flight to the lights
Another flight to the lights
The nights are very long this time of year, making them a real drawcard for amateur and professional stargazers alike.
Sky watch: In search of Saturn
In search of Saturn
There is a surfeit of planets on parade in the evening sky at the moment, Ian Griffin writes.
A tour of tonight's northeastern sky
A tour of tonight's northeastern sky
There has been a run of clear nights in Dunedin recently, and with the sun setting a few minutes after 5pm this week, you don't have to stay out very late to enjoy some fine views of the night sky.