Tekapo teen's snap judged NZ's astro-photograph of the year

'Space jellyfish' from Rocket Lab launch intrigues

What people are likely seeing is commonly known as a space jellyfish, which is a phenomenon that can happen when sunlight reflects off the exhaust plume from the rocket's engines.

Photos: Rare partial solar eclipse over NZ

The eclipse began before sunrise and reached its peak around 7am.

'Cloud shield' threatens eclipse views, but one city could get lucky

The partial solar eclipse will begin before sunrise and reach its peak around 7am, with the moon covering up to 70% of the sun in parts of the lower South Island.

Rare partial solar eclipse to greet New Zealand at dawn on Monday

Kiwis will see between 60% of the sun covered in Auckland and up to 72% in Invercargill, with the eclipse visible nationwide at sunrise — weather permitting.