Spotting Matariki at the solstice
It has 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.
skywatch
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.
Achernar at a low ebb
Achernar at a low ebb
For Ian Griffin, one of the joys of stargazing is observing the earth's rotation via the constantly changing positions of the stars.
Full moon in Scorpius
Full moon in Scorpius
Sunday's great for capturing a rising full moon, writes Ian Griffin.
Much ado about meteors
Much ado about meteors
The moon is new next Sunday morning, so the next few nights will be a splendid time to spend enjoying the beauty of our late-autumn night sky.
Lunar occultation awaits stargazers
Lunar occultation awaits stargazers
What are your plans for the early hours of Friday morning?
A mesmerising spot on the sun
A mesmerising spot on the sun
When I drew the curtains in my Portobello home last Saturday morning, I knew it was going to be one of those special Dunedin days, writes Ian Griffin.
The small cloud of Magellan
The small cloud of Magellan
The moon is new on Friday just before 10pm which means that we're entering prime time for stargazing.
Beautiful predawn gathering
Beautiful predawn gathering
Ian Griffin's a huge fan of young and old moons.
Equinox full moon in Virgo
Equinox full moon in Virgo
Tomorrow's a busy day for matters astronomical since in addition to the equinox there's also a full moon, writes Ian Griffin.
The magnificence of Jupiter
The magnificence of Jupiter
A brightly shining Jupiter is worth getting up early for, writes Ian Griffin.
Looking through the keyhole
Looking through the keyhole
A new moon means the next few nights are the perfect time to enjoy some splendid sights.
Return of the core
Return of the core
For the first part of this year, Sky Watch columnist Ian Griffin will be spending four nights per month at the University of Canterbury's Mount John Observatory above Lake Tekapo.
Be ready to view cosmic quartet
Be ready to view cosmic quartet
The sight of Jupiter, Venus, the crescent moon and Saturn will be worth getting up early for, writes Ian Griffin.
Venus and Jupiter get close
Venus and Jupiter get close
Something truly awe-inspiring will be visible to early-rising stargazers across our region next week, writes Ian Griffin.
New Year's dawn vista
New Year's dawn vista
Early-rising stargazers across Otago will be rewarded by the sight of a beautiful gathering before dawn on Thursday.
Heavenly highlights of 2018
Heavenly highlights of 2018
With the summer solstice now in the past, every day will be shorter and each night will be longer as our planet continues its annual journey around the sun.
By dawn's early light
By dawn's early light
Early-rising stargazers next week have a chance to see a beautiful sight when the moon and Venus will appear close in the sky, writes Ian Griffin.
Southern Cross at low ebb
Southern Cross at low ebb
The moon reaches last quarter tomorrow morning. This means that the hours before and just after midnight should be just about perfect for some late-spring stargazing.
Many Mercury mysteries
Many Mercury mysteries
The BepiColombo space probe will hopefully reveal much about the first planet in our solar system, Mercury, writes Ian Griffin.