Ian Griffin
Oldest telescope in New Zealand discovered
Following the discovery of a box marked "old telescope", the Tuhura Otago Museum has become home to New Zealand's oldest telescope, dating back to 1736. The telescope is now in the 'Director's Choice'… Audio
Major geomagnetic storm hits Earth
A major geomagnetic storm is hitting Earth, and astronomers around Aotearoa are keeping their eyes peeled for the bright lights of Aurora Australis.
The storm was expected to reach severe conditions… Audio
NASA issues warning as stadium-sized asteroid passes by Earth
Asteroid 2008 OS7 is expected to come within 2.8 million kilometres of Earth. Audio
Saturn set to lose rings
Saturn, as we all know, is the coolest planet. And much of its coolness stems from its very sleek, elegant rings. So it was with much alarm that we read a hypothesis: that in 2025, just 13 or so… Audio
Very rare blue-super-moon lights up NZ skies
The skies above New Zealand will be lit up by a very rare blue moon tonight, the likes of which you won't see again for a long time. While blue moons are actually fairly common, for one to coincide… Video, Audio
The long and short of the Winter Solstice
It's a special day today... The winter solstice! The shortest day of the year. Now, all around the country, brave kiwis are diving into the sea for the midwinter dip. Meanwhile in Otago, Dr Ian… Audio
The best places to go 'aurora spotting' in Aotearoa
Tuhura Otago Museum director Ian Griffin is about to kick off a speaking tour around the prime locations, to help people know where to go for the best view for aurora lights. He talks to Jesse. Audio
Museums say national treasures at risk due to squeeze on funding
Museum and heritage leaders say they are caring for precious taonga but outside of Te Papa in Wellington, there is no government funding for this work. They say they are also struggling with… Audio
Southern Aurora lights up horizon
A solar storm is putting on a dazzling display at the moment, for those in the South Island.
Among the photographers capturing the Aurora last night was Otago Museum director Dr Ian Griffin who spoke… Audio
Green comet set to be visible this weekend
Well, this weekened the country is in for a once-in-50,000-year event: the appearance of the green comet above the country.
The spectacle of this highly anticipated celestial guest -- which… Audio
Stargazers treated to last lunar eclipse for several years
A total lunar eclipse took place very late last night, exciting those stargazers keen enough to take in the celestial light show.
There were crystal clear skies in the South Island but many further… Audio
The science behind tonight's total lunar eclipse
Tonight you can look upward and see a total lunar eclipse - definitely a sight not to be missed. But what's the science behind the spectacle? Audio
Jupiter closest it has been to earth in 59 years
Between meteorites, asteroid showers, the aurora australia and satellites, there's no shortage of bright spots in Aotearoa's night sky.
But this morning there was an extra brilliant sparkle -… Audio
NASA's James Webb telescope revealing universe's history
NASA has just released spectacular new images taken from the James Webb telescope of a "cartwheel galaxy" which is almost 500-millon-light-years away. Audio
Three meteor showers to dazzle night sky this weekend
Looking for something spectacular to brighten a cold, dark winter's night?
Well, this weekend might just have something in store with not one, not two, but three meteor showers, combining to provide… Audio
The Pre-Panel with Anna Dean and Peter Field
Wallace and panellists Anna Dean and Peter Field discuss the new James Webb Space Telescope pictures. And our panellists tell us what has been on their mind this week. Audio
Dr Ian Griffin: uncovering the mysterious STEVE aurora
When Dr Ian Griffin spotted some strange activity in Dunedin's night sky on St Patrick's Day in 2015, he knew he had to capture it. Video, Audio
Longest day of the year arrives
Wednesday is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere, or the shortest night if you're a contrarian.
The summer solstice officially took place at 4.59am, marking the beginning of the… Audio
Rare blood micro lunar eclipse on full view in NZ tonight
Looking toward the sky tonight - you'll be a witness to an incredibly rare lunar spectacle, not seen in our skies since Kupe landed in Aotearoa 800 years ago. It's longest partial lunar eclipse… Audio
Inspiration4 crew blast into orbit
Four amateur astronauts will spend the next three days in orbit after blasting off from Florida today. It's another milestone in the space tourism market, which is experiencing a resurgence after a… Audio