Duncan Steel
Kiwis watch first red supermoon in 40 years
New Zealanders were treated to the first red supermoon in almost 40 years on Wednesday night.
A total lunar eclipse coincided with the moon being at its closest point to earth at 11.11, giving the… Audio
Explaining the blood moon and eclipse while it's happening
A total lunar eclipse is visible throughout New Zealand tonight and the partial phase - that's when the Earth's shadow starts to creep across the Moon - will begin at about 9.45PM. Stargazers could be… Audio
Red supermoon to rise over NZ tonight
If our skies are clear tonight, New Zealanders should get the best view in the world of a red supermoon.
Also known as a blood moon, a supermoon is actually a total lunar eclipse that occurs at the… Audio
NZ best place to view total lunar eclipse or Blood Moon
New Zealand is one of the best places on Earth to witness a rare celestial event tonight ... there's going to be a blood moon! Nathan Rarere spoke to a man who knows more about blood moons than pretty… Audio
Chinese space rocket could land near NZ
There's a large rocket falling from the sky. But don't panic, it will probably fall at sea. TAstronomer, astrobiologist, former NASA scientist and author Duncan Steele talks to Jesse. Audio
First ever helicopter flown on Mars
And now to outer space! Nasa has successfully flown a small helicopter on Mars - the first ever powered and controlled flight by an aircraft on another planet. Joining Nathan Rarere is space scientist… Audio
Huge asteroid passes by Earth
An asteroid - predicted to be the largest this year - has just passed our planet.
Asteroid 2001 FO32 is speeding across the night sky and reached its closest point to Earth around 5 o'clock this… Audio
Scientists find abundance of water on the Moon
Nasa has just announced that water has been found on the moon. The liquidy discovery was made by scientists who analysed data from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, which… Audio
Mars getting closer to Earth than usual
Our closest planetary neighbour has come to say hello.
For the next few weeks Mars is closer to Earth than usual and it'll be at its brightest when "in opposition" on 14 October, meaning when it's… Audio
An asteroid is heading towards earth, with slim chance of hitting earth
An asteroid is hurtling towards earth with a slim chance of hitting us. Space scientist and astronomer, Dr Duncan Steel talks to the Panel about the rock heading this way. Audio
SpaceX Starlink satellite visible over New Zealand
Tonight (27th February) offers a particularly good opportunity to see SpaceX Starlink satellite chains in the sky. Dr Duncan Steel is a space scientist and astronomer based in Nelson and he tells… Audio
Smoke from the Australian bushfires circling the globe
NASA says the smoke from Australias bushfires will travel a full circuit around the globe. The massive inferno's have already coloured the skies of New Zealand and South America. Hundreds of fires… Audio
Our place in the space race
The global foray into outer space is taking on new dimensions with breakthrough discoveries and successful missions to asteroids and planets.
Liz Garton discovers New Zealand industry has its feet… Audio
Aotearoa in the space wars
We talk to space scientist Duncan Steel about New Zealand's role in potential space conflicts. Duncan's been looking at this for some time and thinks we're uniquely placed in the even of a star war. Audio
Asteroids, dinosaurs and international tension
Astronomer Duncan Steel is an expert in detecting asteroids and comets, and in defending the earth from potential impacts. Audio
Our Changing World for 28 June 2018
Seabed 2030 is an ambitious international collaboration to map the world's sea floor, and astronomer Duncan Steel is concerned asbout asteroids hitting earth. Audio
Liquid Water on Mars
As NASA's Curiosity rover discovers liquid water on Mars, astrophysicist Duncan Steel discusses what that might mean for life on Mars. Audio
Out-of-control Russian capsule is about to burn up.
An out of control Russian spacecraft could re-enter the earth atmosphere anytime in the next 24 hours. Audio
Out-of-control Russian Space Capsule
Space scientist Duncan Steel explains what will happen to the out-of-control Russian space capsule that failed to reach the International Space Station. Audio
Asteroid size of aircraft carrier hurtles close to Earth
An asteroid the size of an aircraft carrier is about to - we hope - make a near pass of the Earth. Astronomers have calculated the 400 meter-wide asteroid, called '2005 y-u 55', will come within… Audio