Local photographer Michael Smith captured some photos of the rare “blood moon” earlier this month – a phenomenon where the full moon passes through Earth’s shadow.
The Motueka man wants other keen stargazers to be aware of another rare celestial event coming up next Monday 22 September, with a solar eclipse taking place between about 6am and 8am.
Michael has calculated that the event’s peak will take place at 7.03am, with a 74 per cent mid-partial solar eclipse. He warns any eager viewers to use solar filters/glasses (regular sunglasses don’t cut it against retinal burn).
Alternatively, you view the eclipse’s effect indirectly, watching the changes in light with your back to the sun.
For something slightly higher tech, a pinhole projector can be made out of an empty cereal box in a few short minutes.
