- Summer constellations are riding high in the sky – look for the very bright star of Vega overhead at 10pm, followed by the constellation of Cygnus, sometimes known as the Northern Cross. Scan the area with binoculars – it’s rich in the background stars of the Milky Way. True dark skies return in this month (August).
- August is still good time to see Saturn. It’s low down in the south, but a small telescope will resolve the amazing rings. Check our the podcast page for a download on how to find it.
- This year’s remaining big meteor showers are the Orionids (21 October) and the best of the lot the wonderful Geminids (13 December).
- Plenty of astro events are listed on the calendar page and for night sky tours check out the podcast page – you are free to download.
- Click the blog thoughts tab above for advice on buying telescopes.
- Oh, and this is what the Milky Way looks like from the North York Moors. Picture Rob Ince.
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- Partial Solar Eclipse 21/08/2017 at 18:39 – 19:22 York Partial Solar Eclipse is visible at about 8pm, but the sun will be very low in the west and only a small portion will be obscured by the moon..A very difficult observation, but it will be a total eclipse for parts of the USA. See more at timeanddate.com: http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/uk/york?iso=20170821
- Redesdale Arms Stargazing Weekend 15/09/2017 – 16/09/2017 On a clear night the skies are stunning over Redesdale, with the Milky Way overhead, resembling a shimmering river of stars. Jpoin us for this great weekend to look for planets, galaxies, star clusters and nebulae with guidance from our astronomers. For bookings go to http://www.redesdale-arms.co.uk/the-area/stargazing-2017
- Cassini crashes into Saturn 15/09/2017 The pioneering Cassini space probe - launched in 1997 and which has made countless discoveries on its mission orbiting Saturn - will plunge into the gas giant. The act of destruction is deemed necessary to prevent the probe potentially colliding with one of the planet's watery moons, which could harbour life.
- Autumn Equinox 22/09/2017 The equinox occurs at 20:02 UTC. The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. This is also the first day of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Kielder People's Star Camp 13/10/2017 – 14/10/2017 Kielder Campsite, Kielder, Hexham NE48 1EJ, UK A rare chance to join astronomers under the dark skies of Kielder. With talks, tuition and chance to use powerful telescopes this is the perfect way to experience our dark starry skies and even learn how to take pictures of the night sky. For more details contact Kielder Campsite via http://kieldercampsite.co.uk/ or ping an email…
- Kielder Forest Star Camp 18/10/2017 – 23/10/2017 Kielder Campsite, Kielder, Hexham NE48 1EJ, UK Five nights under some of the darkest skies in England. For booking information visit kielderforeststarcamp.org
- Uranus at its best 19/10/2017 its best The blue-green planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the best time to view Uranus. But be warned! Due to its distance, it…
- Orionid meteor shower 21/10/2017 An excellent meteor shower produced by grains of dust from Comet Halley, The moon will set early in the evening leaving dark skies which is ideal. Best viewed from a dark location after midnight. Use your naked eye and look up.
- Beginners' Astronomy Workshop 10/11/2017 at 18:00 – 21:30 Education Barn - Chambers Farm Wood - LN8 5JR Market Rasen - United Kingdom For details, link here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/beginners-astronomy-workshop-tickets-36747233966
- Venus meets Jupiter 13/11/2017 The planets Venus and Jupiter will be visible in the eastern pre-dawn sky very close to each other. Venus will be the brighter of the two.
