There was a meteor shower last night and New Zealand was in prime spot to observe it. Comet 46P / Wirtanen had gone too close to Jupiter in 1972 and the debris from that event was hitting Earth last night - having taken 51 years to get here! It had been a windy and cloudy day, but the skies had opened enough at night for me to 'generally' see the sky in the central North … [Read more...] about Meteor Shower (Comet 46P / Wirtanen)
New Zealand
Hydroplane Boats at Lake Maraetai
I caught wind that there was going to be a boat regatta on at Lake Maraetai over the weekend - and I was in the neighbourhood. Not only that, but there were going to be hydroplane boats there too! If you've never seen them before (like me), think 'top fuel dragster'. These things are fast, very fast - and very LOUD! … [Read more...] about Hydroplane Boats at Lake Maraetai
A Frozen Adventure
With the greatest of intention I set off up North again to do some astrophotography and to capture Mt Cook / Aoraki in all its glory. That was the plan anyway. I left Wānaka and was shortly into glorious sunshine, all was warm & good. Over the Lindis Pass and while there was some snow about, but it was all still looking good. Approaching Omarama I noticed some fog in … [Read more...] about A Frozen Adventure
Astrophotography at Atiamuri
On a cold night in April I went out to capture a bit of Astrophotography. First time in ages that there was no clouds or moon to ruin things. It was the coldest night of the year so far and the car reckoned it was 1 deg C at times, but it was well worth it. As the fog rolled in from the nearby Waikato River, I captured the centre of the Milky Way near Atiamuri in the Central … [Read more...] about Astrophotography at Atiamuri
Wombling about Piha
For a couple of days I stayed in the Campground out at Piha, in West Auckland. One day out trekking and this was the view back into Lion Rock. … [Read more...] about Wombling about Piha