The year’s major meteor showers are the Perseids (13 August), Orionids (21 October), Leonids (18 November) and Geminids (14 December). Remember shooting stars can be seen in the days before and after and the dates given are for maximum activity.
Jupiter reached its nearest to the Earth on 10 June but it still well placed for viewing for the next few months. A pair of binoculars will reveal its four largest moons, appearing as bright dots either side of the planet. This fine object is low at the moment for UK observers and the view will improve over the next decade.
The magnificent ringed planet, Saturn, was at its best on 9 July but is still fabulous. Looking like a bright yellow star, a small telescope will reveal its lovely rings. The planet remains quite low down, which is not ideal for observing. But don’t let that put you off – seeing this marvellous object should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Watch out for ghostly noctilucent clouds on the northern horizon until early August. Electric blue and stunningly beautiful they are the highest clouds that can form in the earth’s atmosphere and really do glow in the dark. Last year was a vintage one thanks to the long hot summer and we’ve had very good displays this year too.
A rare transit of Mercury across the face of the Sun is visible from the UK on 11 November. The planet will be seen as a black disc moving across the sun. The event starts soon after noon and to observe it you will need a telescope fitted with a special solar filter. Looking at the sun without such a protective filter will cause permanent eye damage! This video shows you some of the ways you can stay safe and enjoy the spectacle – https://vimeo.com/161001352
The North Pennines AONB takes centrestage with its fantastic dark sky festival in late October. It features scores of amazing public events. Also keep eyes peeled on beautiful Cranborne Chase AONB, which straddle Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset and Hampshire. It’s close to submitting an application to become an international dark sky reserve.
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Orionid Meteor Shower21/10/2019The lovely Orionid meteor shower peaks overnight, with the best time to view actually in the wee small hours of 22 Oct. The show is produced by bits of debris left behind by Comet Halley entering the earth's atmosphere and burning up. Don't bother with telescopes and binos - your naked eye is the best…
Kielder Star Camp30/10/2019 at 14:00 – 04/11/2019 at 15:00Kielder Campsite, Kielder, Hexham NE48 1EJ, UKAnother fabulous five night star camp under the Milky Way and the darkest and starriest skies in England. kielderforeststarcamp.org
Rare transit of Mercury11/11/2019A rare transit of Mercury across the face of the Sun is visible from the UK on 11 November. The planet will be seen as a black disc moving across the sun. The event starts soon after noon and to observe it you will need a telescope fitted with a special solar filter. Looking at…
Geminids Meteor Shower13/12/2019The very best of all the meteor showers - the ever reliable Geminids - peaks overnight. Unfortunately this year we have to contend with a near full moon in the sky and that make all but the brightest invisible.
