The blog is where we'll post news, updates, information about objects in our collection, #betterworkstories, profiles of staff members and visitors, pictures and videos, and really anything we think you'd find interesting. We hope you enjoy.
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Gems in the evening sky
At 2.21am on Friday morning (23 September), the Sun crosses the celestial equator heading south. This is the exact moment of the spring equinox, the date when day and night are equal all over the world. With daylight saving starting on Sunday, I’m sure everyone who isn’t an astronomer will be enjoying the longer, brighter spring evenings in the next week or so...
NZ Chinese Language Week – two early 20th century translations
A number of Dunedin men and women served as Christian missionaries and teachers in China in the late 19th and early 20th centuries...
Another lunar eclipse that’s hard to see
As a keen chaser of lunar eclipses, it’s been a big disappointment that this year there’s been a real paucity of good events. So far during 2016, skywatchers in this part of the world have “enjoyed” only a couple of barely-visible lunar eclipses...
Recently acquired piupiu transferred in the name of collective conservation
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum and the Otago Museum have recently been gifted a piupiu, a waist garment made from processed harakeke (flax), believed to be over 165 years old and one of the earliest examples of traditional Māori costume in Otago. The piupiu was initially donated to Toitū OSM by Jenny Morgan, great-granddaughter of Ralph Nicholson, who came to Otago on the ‘Titan’ in 1851. Nicholson worked for a time in Dunedin as a chemist before relocating to Tasmania in 1852, returning back to Otago in 1863. He was employed at the Mosgiel Woollen Company as an accountant and first secretary...
Auroras and the equinox
Something a tad more exciting than the impending change of season has put considerable bounce into my normally staid astronomical gait this past week. The splendid display of the aurora australis I witnessed last Saturday evening has much to do with this...
The month ahead @ OM
Spring has sprung, and with school holidays again fast approaching, September is shaping up to be another action-packed month at Otago Museum...
When does Spring begin?
There's been a lot of discussion here this week about the date that spring begins. Some claim that 1 September is the first day of spring; as an astronomer, I’d prefer it to start at the equinox, which this year is 23 September (at 8:02)..
Exquisite Earthshine
I hope readers had a chance to enjoy last week’s spectacular planetary conjunction of Jupiter and Venus. While annoying high clouds (as seen in the photo) marred my view from Portobello last Sunday, the previous night the planetary duo presented a simply marvellous vista from my observing location near the eastern end of Hoopers Inlet...
Te Marama Puoro Waiata Māori – Māori Music Month
Music has always been an important component of Māori life – waiata are sung during pōwhiri and other formal ceremonies, as well as to acknowledge events, express emotion and tell stories. In pre-European times...
Stunning Planetary Conjunction stirs the heart
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for clear skies this weekend. As darkness falls, there’s going to be an absolutely spectacular and very close approach between Venus and Jupiter in the western sky. If the weather gods cooperate, this should provide an inspirational sunset sight for stargazers across Otago
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Our blog aims to keep you informed of the latest happenings at the Otago Museum, through posts about our collections, our people and our work.
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