Since first observing the southern lights when he moved to Dunedin seven years ago, Dr Ian Griffin has become obsessed with the aurora australis - and on clear nights he can be found on the back bays of the Otago Peninsula trying to experience the aurora’s subtle glow.

Ian will be bringing his expertise on - and fascination with - the aurora to Wanaka audiences at his talk, ‘My Secret Life As An Aurora Addict’, on May 28.

Ian’s fascination with the southern lights has led to a number of adventures.

These include being cautioned for speeding by an unsympathetic police officer during the best auroral display of the past ten years, and chartering four Air New Zealand airliners to fly thousands of kilometres south of Aotearoa deep into the southern auroral zone. 

When he is not chasing auroras, Ian is the director of the Otago Museum in Dunedin. 

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He has a PhD In astronomy from University College London and has discovered more than 20 asteroids, including 10924, which is named to honour his wife Maria. 

Ian also writes a weekly column in the Otago Daily Times and is a strong advocate for the preservation of Dunedin’s dark skies. 

He has held leading positions at Stardome in Auckland, Armagh Planetarium in Northern Ireland, and the Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory in Florida.

In 2015 Ian was awarded the Prime Minister’s Science Media Communication Prize and in 2019 he became a Companion of the Royal Society of New Zealand.

His talk is being hosted by the Wanaka branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand.

‘My Secret Life As An Aurora Addict’, will take place at 6pm on Friday May 28 at the Presbyterian Community Centre, 91 Tenby Street. 

Entry costs $5 per person.

PHOTO: Supplied