- Saturn is low, but good for viewing in the south west when it gets dark. It appears as a yellow star. A small telescope will reveal its rings. Much brighter and to its left is the brilliant Mars – shining with a distinct red tint. The planet is on its closest approach to Earth for many years – 36 million miles away at its nearest!
- A total eclipse of the moon on 27 July coincided with storms for many in UK. But fear not – there’s another chance on 21 January 2019 and this time the entire eclipse will visible and the moon is much higher in the sky. The gotcha is that it starts about 3am and goes on until after 6am will maximum totality at just after 5am. But it’s well worth getting up for. The next decent lunar eclipse visible from the UK is not until 18 October 2032 – so make the best of it!
- This year has been a vintage one 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. They glow in the dark hence their name. Look out for them next year from May to August (see below taken with my mobile!).
- Major meteor showers this year are the Orionids (22 October), Leonids (17 November) and Geminids (13 December).
- The Milky Way is riding high in the sky and Autumn is the best time of year to view it. Get somewhere dark and look directly up after nightfall. Looks like a river of light. Lovely picture below by Rob Ince.
- Want to buy a telescope? Click on blog thoughts on the tab line.
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- Orionid meteor shower 21/10/2018 – 22/10/2018 The lovely Orionids meteor show reaches its peak - up to 20 meteors per hour may be visible from very dark locations. It is produced by dust grains left behind by Comet Halley.. The nearly full moon will block some of the fainter meteors. Best viewing will be after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the…
- Uranus at its best 23/10/2018 The blue-green planet will be at its closest to Earth. Just on the edge of naked eye viability binoculars will show it as a green star like object. Larger telescopes will be needed to see it as a small disc. Look to the southern sky. Use an app or star map to track it down.…
- Kielder Peoples' Starcamp 02/11/2018 – 03/11/2018 Kielder Campsite, Kielder, Hexham NE48 1EJ, UK Another fabulous two night camp out under the stars for beginners with talks, rocket launching, space rocks, workshops and sparkling skies viewed through powerful telescopes. Bookings open in Spring. Put the dates in your diary. This event has a Google Hangouts video call. Join: https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/richarddarn.com/richard?hceid=cmljaGFyZGRhcm4uY29tX3MzYXJmNnE2aGVuN2RuZ2E2ZTFlazdnMHZrQGdyb3VwLmNhbGVuZGFyLmdvb2dsZS5jb20.0of5nqbhon3fpainsnftgto9i7&hs=121
- Sherwood Forest Star Party 09/11/2018 Sherwood Pines Visitors Centre, Edwinstowe, Mansfield NG21 9JL, UK A super star party in lovely Sherwood Pines Forest Park in Nottinghamshire. Spy the Autumn sky with telescopes in the company of experts. Brilliant for novices and there's also a beginner friendly talk to enjoy and you will get the chance to handle rocks from outer space. For bookings contact the Forestry Commission 0300 067…
- Sherwood Forest Star Party 17/11/2018 Sherwood Pines Visitors Centre, Edwinstowe, Mansfield NG21 9JL, UK Another super star party in lovely Sherwood Pines Forest Park in Nottinghamshire. Spy the Autumn sky with telescopes in the company of experts. Brilliant for novices and there's also a beginner friendly talk to enjoy and you will get the chance to handle rocks from outer space. For bookings contact the Forestry Commission 0300 067…
- Leonid meteor shower 17/11/2018 Once the best of the meteor showers the Leonids these days produces only an average number of shooting stars. The waxing gibbous moon will set shortly after midnight leaving dark skies for what could be a good early morning show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Use your naked eye. This…
- Geminds meteor shower 13/12/2018 – 14/12/2018 The Geminids is the best of the year's meteor showers. Produced by debris left behind by an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, the shower peaks in the wee small hours. The first moon will set shortly after midnight leaving dark skies.. Meteors will seem to radiate from the constellation Gemini (hence the shower's name), but…
- Dark Sky Festival 15/02/2019 – 03/03/2019 This event has a Google Hangouts video call. Join: https://hangouts.google.com/hangouts/_/richarddarn.com/richard?hceid=cmljaGFyZEByaWNoYXJkZGFybi5jb20.1v2oobrtl2u5ep7v55505n0tg9&hs=121
- Kielder Spring Star Camp 06/03/2019 – 11/03/2019 This event has a Google Hangouts video call. Join: https://hangouts.google.com/hangouts/_/richarddarn.com/kielder-spring?hceid=cmljaGFyZGRhcm4uY29tX3MzYXJmNnE2aGVuN2RuZ2E2ZTFlazdnMHZrQGdyb3VwLmNhbGVuZGFyLmdvb2dsZS5jb20.4c02j2407q2tfunep0mtjqlcrj&hs=121
