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.
If there's a topic you'd like us to do a post about, or a post that you think needs a sequel, just let us know!
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...
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...
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...
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...
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
An astronomical Olympic challenge
As we enjoy the efforts of our athletes at the Rio Olympics, it seems appropriate that, this week, the sky gods are setting Otago stargazers an extraordinarily difficult celestial challenge to test our astronomical skills.
My time aboard SOFIA
At 5pm last Sunday, just like thousands of other passengers, I boarded an aircraft at Christchurch airport. However, unlike every other journey I’ve made previously from Otautahi, my destination wasn’t Dunedin, nor indeed Wellington or Auckland.
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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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The views expressed here are those of our individual contributors, and are not the views of the Otago Museum.
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