Best spots in Rotorua for stargazing

STARRY NIGHT: The Orion Nebula in the night sky over Rotorua as snapped by a local astronomer. PHOTO/ROLF CARSTENS

Rotorua star-gazers have access to one of the best locations in New Zealand to spot Comet Lovejoy with Ngongotaha named one of the top spots for viewing the night sky.

The recently discovered comet is one of the brightest to pass through our skies in years, and in areas of low light it's possible to view without expensive equipment.

Rotorua Astronomical Society president Ken Blackman said it was possible for anyone with very keen eyesight to spot it with the naked eye.

"You can definitely see it with binoculars, but if you're a beginner you probably won't find it. You'd need someone with a bit of experience to point it out for you."

Mr Blackman explained that Lovejoy could be found to the left of the Orion constellation. There was also a guide to spotting the comet on the society's Facebook page.

Luckily Rotorua locals won't have far to go to find a good spot.

Ngongotaha was named in the top eight locations for star-gazing, according to hundreds of users of accommodation reservation website Booking.com who have endorsed the best spots for star-gazing around the world.

The survey also named Lake Tekapo as the best spot in New Zealand, and the second best in the world. Mr Blackman said Ngongotaha was a good spot, but there were better spots in the area.

"There are a few better places. Kaharoa Rd, for one, would be much better.

"It's all farmland, very flat and very open, and there's no light pollution. Ngongotaha is good, as long as you're looking straight up, but if you look lower it's all blocked by vegetation."

Normally comets are low on the horizon, but Mr Blackman said Lovejoy was "pretty high up" so star-gazers would be able to spot it at Ngongotaha. The comet was closest to Earth last Wednesday and would reach its maximum brightness this weekend.

"The best time to look for it is just after dark, around 9.30pm, but before the moon fully rises. The thing to do is to look now, because you only have a window of about a week to see it."

People who are interested and want some help to spot it can get in touch with the Astronomical Society over this weekend on Facebook, or e-mail rotorua.astronomy@gmail.com

Mr Blackman was also happy for people to contact him on his home or mobile number (07) 348 4312 or (021) 268 9953.