Space
Total lunar eclipse seen in NZ skies
A total lunar eclipse bringing a red-hued moon happened in the early hours of Monday morning. Auckland's Stardome Observatory's Rob Davison spoke to Ingris Hipkiss. Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Wednesday 3rd September 2025
In today's episode, the government is making a U-turn and abandoning the controversial cost-saving changes for carers among a raft of changes for the disability sector; The New Zealand-born leader of… Audio
Southern lights visible in South Island
A strong solar coronal mass ejection has delighted stargazers in the south. Astronomer and director of the Otago Museum Ian Griffin spoke to Charlotte Cook. Audio
Space with Ezzy Pearson
Ezzy Pearson is an expert in all things space, with more than a decade of experience in science journalism, including as Features Editor of BBC’s Sky at Night magazine. Audio
Capturing space through a Kiwi lens
When New Zealand and Australia missed out on hosting the world's largest radio telescope in 2012, Dr Tim Molteno decided to build his own! Audio
Animals used in space research have few protections
Dr Anna Marie Brennan is a senior lecturer in law at the University of Waikato, where she specialises in outer space law and she speaks to Mark Leishman. Audio
Astronomers get first look deep inside a star during supernova explosion
Astronomers spotted a star exploding in a supernova, some 2.2 billion light-years away.
We've been sending animals to space for decades - yet there's still no rules to protect them
Analysis: As space exploration expands, the absence of legal protections for animals becomes increasingly problematic.
Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell dead at 97
Hollywood superstar Tom Hanks played Lovell in director Ron Howard's acclaimed 1995 film about the near-disaster.
NASA to fast-track plan to put nuclear reactor on the Moon
Analysis - It comes just three months after China and Russia announced they were considering a joint effort to also put a nuclear power station on the Moon in a new race for space dominance.
NISAR satellite to be first of its kind in space
A first-of-its-kind satellite is on its way into orbit after launching from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in southern India. Cornell University earth scientist Rowena Lohman spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Meteor shower to be visible in NZ
The Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower is set to peak over Aotearoa on Wednesday night. Stardome Observatory and Planetarium astronomer Josh Aoraki spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
How to watch Tuesday's meteor showers
Bad weather threatens to spoil the show, but here's how to watch the spectacle if clouds stay away.
Asteroid will spare Earth, but may hit moon instead. What happens if it does?
Asteroid YR4 could still pose a threat in late 2032 by slamming into the moon.
US wants partners - including NZ - to prepare for space wars
The new US Space Force strategy for international partnership calls for partners to engage in missions, wargaming and joint planning. Audio
US asks NZ to help prepare for future space wars
America is asking more from its military allies and partners to prepare for future space wars, and New Zealand is on board. Phil Pennington spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
Shower Thoughts: Could you tunnel through the centre of the earth?
Dr Alfredo Carpineti, astrophysicist and senior staff writer at IFL Science, shares all the ways you would die if you dug a tunnel from New Zealand to Spain. Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Wednesday 16 July 2025
In today's episode, three people died at the scene of a single-vehicle crash near Waiuku in rural Auckland on Tuesday afternoon; The Medical Council says the health system is under strain and it's… Audio
Largest piece of Mars on Earth to be auctioned
The biggest piece of Mars on Earth is going up for auction in New York this week. Astronomer and director of Tūhura Otago Museum Dr Ian Griffin spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
Scientists keen to send probe to Venus to search for life
Scientists in the UK want to send a tiny space probe to Venus to search for signs of life in its clouds. Imperial College London's Dave Clements spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
