Sky watch

Mars a guide to finding Neptune

This week there's a rare opportunity for stargazers across our region to view Neptune, the outermost planet, when it appears close to Mars in the evening sky.

Full moon in Taurus

The moon is full on Friday night and should be a magnificent sight, Ian Griffin writes.

Plenty to look for in night sky

SKY WATCH: There's a lot going on in the sky at the moment, so if you are at a loose end over the next few nights head out for some stargazing, writes Ian Griffin.

Farewell, Scorpius

With daylight increasing as we head towards the summer solstice in December, the familiar winter star patterns are disappearing into sunset's vivid glow, writes Ian Griffin.

ISS in sky over in blink of an eye

SKY WATCH: There's a celestial treat in store for Oamaruvians on Saturday night - but be quick, writes Ian Griffin.

Orion a celestial wonderland

We live in an age in which tools are available that enable us to ''see'' some truly remarkable celestial vistas which would otherwise be invisible, writes Ian Griffin.

Chance to spot the seventh planet

The moon was full yesterday, so for the next few nights, bright moonlight will wash out all but the brightest stars for most of the night.

Observing Venus

SKY WATCH: If it's clear tonight, make a point to head out and catch a glimpse of Venus, which is outstandingly bright, writes Ian Griffin.

An extraordinary aurora

''Oh my goodness, it's so spooky, and it's moving. It's all over the sky and the colours, just wow, WOW!''

A sunset panorama

SKY WATCH: One of the joys of living in Portobello is watching the sun set behind hills on the other side of Otago Harbour, writes Ian Griffin.

Observing the Eagle Nebula

A few weeks back I was allocated time to observe Mars, using one of the telescopes at the University of Canterbury's Mt John Observatory.

Moon, Venus in the evening sky

Moon, Venus in the evening sky

SKY WATCH: The middle weeks of August provide some of Ian Griffin's favourite commutes of the year.

The wonder of star trails

Ever since becoming interested in astronomy, I have always enjoyed taking pictures of the night sky. You might think that astrophotography would be an enormously complicated hobby, but actually it...

Pleasing planetary plethora

It's late on Monday afternoon and I've just woken up after one of the most memorable nights of skywatching in my half-century on this planet.

A spectacular eclipse of the moon

A spectacular eclipse of the moon

SKY WATCH: Saturday's eclipse of the moon should be a stunning sight even to the naked eye, writes Ian Griffin.

One moon, five planets

Stargazers across Otago get to enjoy a celestial treat this week. For the first time in quite a while, it's possible to see all of the naked-eye planets and the moon simultaneously.

Sky watch: Another flight to the lights

Another flight to the lights

The nights are very long this time of year, making them a real drawcard for amateur and professional stargazers alike.

Sky watch: In search of Saturn

In search of Saturn

There is a surfeit of planets on parade in the evening sky at the moment, Ian Griffin writes.

A tour of tonight's northeastern sky

There has been a run of clear nights in Dunedin recently, and with the sun setting a few minutes after 5pm this week, you don't have to stay out very late to enjoy some fine views of the night sky.

SKY WATCH: Over the past week, material from a large hole in the sun's outer atmosphere has been streaming earthwards at high speed, creating relatively dim, but enjoyable, displays of the Aurora Australis across Otago.

Search form

Search form

Sky watch