- Jupiter is currently at its best – look for a brilliant bright “star” in the south at mid night. Binoculars will show its biggest moons. Saturn’s best show is in June when it will appear as a yellow star-like object low in the south. A small telescope will reveal its rings.
- A total eclipse of the moon takes place on 27 July and is visible from the UK – it will rise in the east already in totality and will look very red. Partial eclipse from about 10pm. Great event – don’t miss it, but you will need a low eastern horizon to make the best of it.
- From late May until early August look for noctilucent clouds on the northern horizon. They are the highest clouds on earth and shine after dusk and before dawn. UK one of best locations in world to see them. Glow in the dark hence their name.
- Big meteor showers this year are the Perseids (13 August), Orionids (22 October), Leonids (17 November) and Geminids (13 December).
- Click the blog thoughts tab above for advice on buying telescopes.
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- Summer Solstice 21/06/2018 Today the sun reaches its highest point in the sky in the northern hemisphere. It's also the first day of summer.
- Saturn at closest 27/06/2018 The ringed planet is at its closest to the earth this year. But it is low down in the south and reaches its highest (and therefore best) visibility at 1am. Even though we'd like the planet to be higher, you will still see its famous rings in a telescope - a magnification of 35x plus…
- Mars at its best 27/07/2018 The red planet will be at its closest approach to Earth. Still a small object to observe a telescopes will be required to glimpse any surface detail. It will look very red and bright, but also very low, just above the southern horizon.
- Total Lunar Eclipse 27/07/2018 One of the greatest spectacles in the night sky - the earth will come between the moon and the sun to create a total lunar eclipse. Even though the moon is blocked off from the sun's brilliance, light seeps around the Earth's atmosphere causing it to shift to a red colour and this is projected…
- Dalby StarFest 09/08/2018 – 12/08/2018 Dalby Forest, Scarborough YO13, UK Four night camp over in Dalby Forest . Enthusiasts' gathering. More information at http://www.scarborough-ryedale-as.org.uk/saras/starfest/starfest-2018/
- Perseid Meteor Shower 13/08/2018 – 14/08/2018 The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers. It is produced by comet Swift-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1862. The shower runs annually from July 17 to August 24. It peaks this year on the night of August 12 and the morning of August 13. The thin crescent moon will set early in the…
- Venus looking good 17/08/2018 This is the best time to view Venus since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky. Look for exceptionally bright planet in the western sky after sunset. This event has a Google Hangouts video call. Join: https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/richarddarn.com/venus-looking?hceid=cmljaGFyZGRhcm4uY29tX3MzYXJmNnE2aGVuN2RuZ2E2ZTFlazdnMHZrQGdyb3VwLmNhbGVuZGFyLmdvb2dsZS5jb20.3fm1io04uvg0klsp788aqndl5d&hs=121
- Simonstone Hall Stars and Supper 01/09/2018 at 18:00 – 21:00 Simonstone Hall Hotel, Hawes DL8 3LY, UK A wonderful stargazing evening at this lovely venue under the dark skies of the Yorkshire Dales. For more information visit http://simonstonehall.com
- Neptune at its best 07/09/2018 The furthest planet reaches it closest approach to Earth. Due to its extreme distance (over two billion miles away) it will only appear as a tiny blue dot in all but the most powerful telescopes. Binoculars will see it as a blue/green star. Just beyond naked eye visibility. This event has a Google Hangouts video…
- Redesdale Arms Stargazing Weekend 07/09/2018 – 08/09/2018 Redesdale Arms, Rochester, North Otterburn NE19 1TA, UK Two nights of stargazing with the package including foot and accommodation in the ultra dark Northumberland International Dark Sky Park. The majestic Milky Way is our target as the dark sky season begins in earnest. We’ll also enjoy wonderful views of star clusters and show you how to find a galaxy with your naked eye,…
