Last days to spot fading comet
A couple of weeks back, I encouraged you to find a relatively bright comet, writes Ian Griffin.
skywatch
Celestial visitor passes on its 4500-year journey
Celestial visitor passes on its 4500-year journey
David H. Levy knows a thing or two about comets. He has discovered or co-discovered more than a dozen of them during his comet-hunting career, writes Ian Griffin.
Celebrate Matariki with Maori-themed tour of the pre-dawn sky
Celebrate Matariki with Maori-themed tour of the pre-dawn sky
Today (Sunday) marks the end of the Puaka Matariki Festival. Celebrations have been taking place across Dunedin this week with a wonderful programme of events. Before European contact, Maori looked...
Saturn, Jupiter putting on quite the show
Saturn, Jupiter putting on quite the show
This week, as the sun sets in the northwestern sky, Jupiter rises in the southeast. You can't miss the biggest planet in the solar system. It looks like an incredibly bright yellow-white "star".
A long way from the sun
A long way from the sun
The Earth reached the high point of its orbit - our greatest distance from the sun this year - at the weekend. Astronomers call this moment aphelion, writes Ian Griffin.
A good week for early risers
A good week for early risers
If you do anything this week, get up early and enjoy the sight of Venus and Matariki in the pre-dawn sky, writes Ian Griffin.
Crescent moon meets Venus and Matariki
Crescent moon meets Venus and Matariki
As we head towards winter solstice on June 21, sunrise is steadily getting later each day, writes Ian Griffin in Skywatch
Jupiter’s great storm not to be missed
Jupiter’s great storm not to be missed
For the past few weeks, I have had enormous fun observing Jupiter, Saturn and Mars, all of which are high in the sky in the run-up to dawn. While getting out of bed at 4am can be a bit tiring, any...
Shadow to fall across the moon
Shadow to fall across the moon
The moon is full a week today, on Saturday, June 6, at 7.12am. At that moment, as seen from Otago, our closest celestial neighbour will be 100% illuminated and will be visible low in the western...
Spangled spurs on a far shore
Spangled spurs on a far shore
Did you know that you can see a rainbow on the moon?
Praising Russell and McPherron
Praising Russell and McPherron
Since 2016, I have been lucky enough to have been on aircraft flying beneath Earth's southern auroral zone seven times. Five of those trips were as a guest onboard Nasa’s Sofia Observatory, while...
Equinoctial planetary gathering
Equinoctial planetary gathering
This week there is a celestial coming together involving Mars and Jupiter before dawn. Astronomers call a close approach between two or more astronomical objects an appulse.
The great nebula in Orion
The great nebula in Orion
Did you know you can see a place where stars are being born? Although telescopes give the best views, if you know where to look, you can observe it quite easily with your naked eye, says Ian Griffin.
Over in the blink of an eye
Over in the blink of an eye
This weekend, Otago stargazers can enjoy a rather magnificent event that will be over in less time than it takes you to blink.
Matariki’s moonlight charm
Matariki’s moonlight charm
The next few nights offer excellent opportunities to discover the charms of the waxing lunar crescent.
Before dawn’s early light
Before dawn’s early light
Otago stargazers are in for a celestial treat on Friday morning, so it’s well worth getting up early, writes Ian Griffin.
Of bees, moons and mangers
Of bees, moons and mangers
The moon is full next Sunday evening (February 9). It will be located in the constellation of Leo, the Lion.
Don’t be afraid of the Tarantula
Don’t be afraid of the Tarantula
This week, Ian Griffin would like to encourage you to set yourself an unusual task. He wants you to find a tarantula.
A lovely morning vista
A lovely morning vista
Since moving to New Zealand, I have always tried to sneak in something astronomical on my birthday, writes Ian Griffin.
Getting serious about Sirius
Getting serious about Sirius
Many people get given a pair of binoculars or a telescope as a Christmas gift. After the excitement of looking at the moon, it can sometimes be hard to figure out what to look at next.