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Whakatane Observatory
boy! have we got a universe
to show you
explore the Moon
check out the planets in our
solar system
School Groups are welcome
want to learn how to use
a telescope?
become a member and meet
the visitors to our area
Public Viewings
The satisfaction our society gets is in seeing others enjoying the exploration of our great universe.
open Tuesday and Friday nights.
open Tuesday and Friday nights.
Astronomical Information
The Crab Nebula is just one of many millions of interesting items in our night sky. We have a great select of information and links to start your own exploration of our Universe
Tonight at Whakatāne Observatory
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Moon
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Planets visible tonight
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Good telescope & binocular targets
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This is a selected list of prominent objects,
not every object visible in the night sky.
Local Sidereal Time
Location:
Whakatāne Observatory
Longitude:
176.98° E
Local time:
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UTC:
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Right Ascension currently on the meridian:
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Apollo 11: Catching Some Sun
September 12, 2026
Bright sunlight glints as long dark shadows mark this image of the surface of the Moon. It was taken on July 20, 1969, by Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first to walk on the lunar surface. Pictured is the mission's lunar module, the Eagle, and spacesuited lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin. Aldrin is unfurling a long sheet of foil also known as the Solar Wind Composition Experiment. Exposed facing the Sun, the foil trapped particles streaming outward in the solar wind, catching a sample of material from the Sun itself. Along with 22 kilograms of moon rocks and lunar soil samples, the solar wind collector was returned for analysis in earthbound laboratories. APOD's main NASA site is moving: From apod.nasa.gov to science.nasa.gov/apod