Last year, at about this time, I got some incredible pictures of Matariki against a gloriously crimson twilight backdrop, coloured by aerosols from the eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai volcano in Tonga.
While the aerosols have thinned out, this year's emergence of Matariki will still be something to watch out for.
That's because the planet Mercury is nearby in the sky, just seven degrees to the right of Matariki.
Spotting Matariki this week from our part of the world is a bit of a challenge. That is because the cluster only clears the horizon at 6.45am, just 90 minutes before sunrise.
You must find a viewing location with an unobstructed view of the northeast. My favourite spot is on the cycle path between Broad Bay and Company Bay on the Otago Peninsula; from there, Matariki pops up over the Portobello Peninsula.
On Friday morning (June 16), the crescent moon will be just above and to the left of Matariki. The lunar crescent will be just 5% illuminated, which should create exciting picture opportunities for the photographically inclined.
If you have a pair of binoculars, you can use them to find Uranus.
While those with keen eyesight might be able to pick out the planet as a dim "star", most of us will need optical aid to spot this gas giant.
The seventh planet from the sun is presently moving through the constellation Aries.
Look for it about a third of the way along an imaginary line drawn between the Moon and Jupiter.
Its distinctive green colour will be a give-away that you have found it.
