A rare astronomical event early this morning has given astronomers in New Zealand their best look yet at Pluto.
From left; Stephen Levine, Pam Kilmartin, Alan Gilmore, Rob Lucas, Tina Seeger, Rebecca Durst, Jay Pasachoff and Bryce Babcock at Lake Tekapo. Photo: Maryrose Fowlie / Mt John University Observatory
For only 90 seconds, Pluto passed in front of a bright star, which lit up the dwarf planet. The phenomenon is called a stellar occultation.
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Astronomers came from around the world to witness it from sites throughout New Zealand.
American astronomy professor and eclipse expert, Jay Pasachoff from Williams College, was at Mount John observatory in Tekapo.
He told Morning Report the brightness of the star meant they could run computers, telescopes and cameras faster and see more detail in the atmosphere around Pluto.
