Shadows across the sun
Shadows across the sun
This month’s new moon occurs on Thursday.
skywatch
Ten million points of light suggest a galaxy subsumed
Ten million points of light suggest a galaxy subsumed
The globular cluster Omega Centauri has fascinated stargazers for centuries.
Light show the ultimate excuse for a big night out
Light show the ultimate excuse for a big night out
All hail the aurora!
Galactic clouds distant but visible, come in all sizes
Galactic clouds distant but visible, come in all sizes
Last Saturday evening, I embarked on a comet-hunting adventure.
Prime time for comet hunting arrives
Prime time for comet hunting arrives
Last week I described the impending apparition of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) in southern skies.
It's now or never: rare comet coming our way
It's now or never: rare comet coming our way
A rare, green comet will become visible in our northern sky from the end of next week. The last time it passed through our part of the solar system was 50,000 years ago.
Moon meets Matariki in Taurus
Moon meets Matariki in Taurus
The first quarter moon occurs tomorrow at 4 am.
The new moon meets Saturn and Venus
The new moon meets Saturn and Venus
It is new moon tomorrow.
Mercury meeting the moon in the morning sky
Mercury meeting the moon in the morning sky
The moon reaches last quarter phase tomorrow afternoon.
An astronomical year to remember
An astronomical year to remember
In this, the last Skywatch of 2022, I thought it might be nice to reflect upon the astronomical highlights of the past year, writes Ian Griffin.
Mars at its brightest and closest point to Earth
Mars at its brightest and closest point to Earth
Ian Griffin's keeping his fingers crossed that the clouds stay away on Thursday when Mars will be at its brightest and at its closest point to Earth.
Look out for the thin crescent of a waxing moon
Look out for the thin crescent of a waxing moon
If you want to spot a young and beautiful waxing crescent moon, tonight could be your lucky night, writes Ian Griffin.
Farewell to the celestial arachnid
Farewell to the celestial arachnid
Our southern summer nights are dominated by Orion.
Reflections on the hot hearts of the galaxy
Reflections on the hot hearts of the galaxy
Ever-increasing activity on the sun means there has been a lot of auroral action in the past few weeks.
Best seats for a great show
Best seats for a great show
It's looking like clear skies in the South on Tuesday night to experience one of nature’s most spectacular light shows - a total lunar eclipse. And it's the last one we'll see until March 2025.
Galaxy sends its light from a distant past
Galaxy sends its light from a distant past
The moon is new on Tuesday night. We are therefore entering the prime time of the month for stargazing, writes Ian Griffin.
Early-morning risers treated to view of Mars
Early-morning risers treated to view of Mars
This week I’d like to invite you to get up a little earlier than usual, writes astronomer Ian Griffin.
Nocturne captures an aurora’s pastel glow
Nocturne captures an aurora’s pastel glow
Arriving home after dinner with friends a few weeks ago, I noticed the sky was clear, writes Ian Griffin.
Mercury at its best, at arm’s length in the west
Mercury at its best, at arm’s length in the west
The moon reached last quarter yesterday, which means the early part of the night is devoid of moonlight and prime time for stargazing.
Breathtaking views in the clear air
Breathtaking views in the clear air
Ian Griffin takes a trip on his favourite flying observatory for the last time.