All notes
Why 7x50 or 10x50 binoculars are the best first instrument in New Zealand, how to steady them, and the southern targets worth finding in each season.
Roll-off roof, dome or pier and cover? How to site, size and plan a backyard observatory in New Zealand, and what to check with council before you build.
How to find due south from the Southern Cross and the Pointers, why there is no southern pole star, and how the Cross shifts through the night and the seasons.
How to find the Matariki star cluster low in the north-east before dawn in late June and July, with tips for practising in summer and the binocular view.
Dobsonian, refractor or Schmidt-Cassegrain? A practical guide to choosing a first telescope in New Zealand, and the southern targets that make it worthwhile.
Where to find properly dark skies in the North Island, from Aotea and the Wairarapa coast to the central plateau, with notes on access, weather and safety.
A guide to New Zealand's certified dark sky reserves, sanctuaries and parks, from Aoraki Mackenzie to Wairarapa, and what each designation actually means.
Kp, Bz, solar wind speed and BoM watches explained for New Zealand observers, plus how to judge whether tonight's aurora australis is worth a drive south.