Moonrise splendour awaits
If you've ever wanted to capture a picture of the nearly full moon rising, Thursday's the day, writes Ian Griffin.
skywatch
Fun with the sun
Fun with the sun
In an attempt to lose weight, rather than eating lunch, I have recently been walking from the museum to the Botanic Garden. I use the beautiful horizontal sundial in the Knot Garden as turn-back...
Triple treat for stargazers
Triple treat for stargazers
If the sky is clear tonight, it'll be well worth heading out just after sunset to enjoy the splendid sight of a 99%-illuminated moon clearing the northeastern horizon, Ian Griffin writes.
On the dark side of the moon
On the dark side of the moon
How often is it you can see a planet disappear behind the moon? This year, if you live in New Zealand, the answer is twice.
A tour of the teapot
A tour of the teapot
For the next couple of weeks, we are entering the period astronomers call ''dark of the moon''.
Wonderful full-moon encounter
Wonderful full-moon encounter
Anyone lucky enough to be located on the ocean side of Otago Peninsula on Monday will get marvellous views of our closest celestial neighbour, the moon, rising over the ocean.
Return of the coronal hole
Return of the coronal hole
Naseby, the jewel of the Maniototo, is seeking to promote itself as a centre for dark-sky tourism.
Gathering in the western sky
Gathering in the western sky
With the clocks going forward an hour at 2am this Sunday, the time of sunset in Dunedin changes from 6.41pm on Saturday to 7.42pm the next night.
Tour of pre-dawn sky
Tour of pre-dawn sky
At 7.50pm on Monday the centre of the sun crosses the celestial equator heading south. This is the exact moment of the southern hemisphere spring equinox, which means that all over the world the...
Stunning auroral weekend
Stunning auroral weekend
Understanding the science behind auroras is almost as fascinating as watching a display, writes Ian Griffin.
A pretty celestial scene
A pretty celestial scene
Over the past week, beautifully clear skies across Southern New Zealand have made for some great stargazing.
A telescope fit for a mayor
A telescope fit for a mayor
Ian Griffin brings a piece of Dunedin history back home.
Call me Ahab
Call me Ahab
A passion for observing all things astronomical has led Ian Griffin to develop a veritable transit obsession.
A septet of stratospheric auroras
A septet of stratospheric auroras
Ian Griffin is fascinated by the aurora australis, also known as the southern lights.
Partial eclipse of the moon
Partial eclipse of the moon
There's a partial eclipse of the moon going on, right now, and, if the sky is clear, you have an excellent chance of spotting the beginning of the darkest part of the eclipse.
Pitcairn pilgrimage
Pitcairn pilgrimage
Ian Griffin braved the elements to observe a total solar eclipse while anchored in the Pacific.
Oeno: What we don't know
Oeno: What we don't know
If my calculations are correct and my assumptions about the time the average ODT reader rises from their slumber on any given Wednesday are accurate, I'd like to ask you to consider doing me a...
Spectacular Saturn!
Spectacular Saturn!
With Jupiter dominating the night, it's easy to forget that another gas giant planet, the beautiful Saturn, is also on view.
Spotting Matariki at the solstice
Spotting Matariki at the solstice
It's been a frustrating few weeks for sky-watchers. In Portobello there has been a seemingly endless run of cloudy nights, which has put paid to any stargazing, writes Ian Griffin.
Great time to see Jupiter
Jupiter at opposition in Ophiuchus
The next few weeks are perfect if you want to get the best views of Jupiter.