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...
skywatch
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.
Christmas Eve pre-dawn vista
Christmas Eve pre-dawn vista
At 5.19pm on Sunday, December 22, the sun reaches the southernmost point in its apparent annual journey around the sky.
Moonrise splendour awaits
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.
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...