Since first observing the southern lights a week after he moved to Dunedin seven years ago, Ian Griffin has become obsessed with the aurora australis. On clear nights he can be found on the back bays of the Otago Peninsula trying to experience the aurora’s subtle glow. 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 km south of Aotearoa deep into the southern auroral zone. During this talk, Ian will share some stories from his secret life as an aurora addict and explain how to observe and photograph this amazing natural phenomenon. 

Ian is the Director of the Otago Museum and will be supported by the Canterbury branch of the NZ Antarctic Society, as part of the Days of Ice Festival.

This is a part of Days of Ice.