skywatch

Shadow to fall across the moon

Next Saturday’s penumbral eclipse at 7.15am will look something like this.

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

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

The galaxy named NGC 1052-DF2, a large fuzzy-looking galaxy so diffused that astronomers call it...

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

The next few nights offer excellent opportunities to discover the charms of the waxing lunar crescent.

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

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

The Tarantula Nebula. Photo: Getty Images

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

Since moving to New Zealand, I have always tried to sneak in something astronomical on my birthday, writes Ian Griffin.

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

At 5.19pm on Sunday, December 22, the sun reaches the southernmost point in its apparent annual journey around the sky.

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

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

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

For the next couple of weeks, we are entering the period astronomers call ''dark of the moon''.

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

Naseby, the jewel of the Maniototo, is seeking to promote itself as a centre for dark-sky tourism.

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