skywatch

Yesterday morning, we got to mark the start of the Māori year, as pre-dawn ceremonies across the land celebrated the appearance of Matariki in the morning sky.

On Friday we celebrate New Zealand’s third national Matariki holiday.

During the past six weeks, a stunning comet has been providing a remarkable display in the western sky after sunset.

Viewing Saturn is an unforgettable experience.

There’s a fascinating episode of Star Trek’s original series, "The Tholian Web''.

I write a lot about auroras.

Did you know that Mercury is, on average, not only the closest planet to Earth but also every other planet?

Last weekend, I was reflecting on mortality, as I am sure everyone sometimes does.

If you head out after midnight this month, you can’t miss bright orange Arcturus, some 25 degrees above the northern horizon.

David H. Levy once wrote, "Comets are like cats: they have tails, and they do precisely what they want."

This month’s full moon occurs in the constellation of Virgo.

This next week is a big one for astronomy fans, with several exciting events to look forward to.

I sat beside Hoopers Inlet a few nights ago.

The aim of this column is to encourage readers to observe some of the many wonders they can see in the sky.

The moon is full at 1:30am tomorrow.

The phrase "waxing gibbous moon" originates from the Latin roots "waxing", meaning to increase or grow, and "gibbous," referring to a shape that is convex or bulging.

A few weeks back, I found myself strolling beside the harbour with my spirited springer spaniel, Connie.