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- Saturn at its best 02/08/2021 The ringed 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. But for UK observers it will be rather low in the south. Even so a telescope…
- Perseids meteor shower - one of the best 12/08/2021 Perseid meteors are caused by debris from comet Swift-Tuttle burning up in the Earth's atmosphere. They can put on a really nice display and on this night activity should peak. But you will be able to see them a few days before and after. The crescent moon will set early in the evening, leaving dark…
- Jupiter at its best 19/08/2021 The giant planet will be at its closest approach and brighter than any other time of the year. It will also be visible all night long. A medium-sized telescope should be able to show you some of the details in Jupiter's cloud bands. A good pair of binoculars should allow you to see Jupiter's four…
- Blue Moon! 22/08/2021 Since this is the third of four full moons in this season it is known as a blue moon. Only happens once every few years, giving rise to the term, “once in a blue moon.”
- Orionids meteor shower 21/10/2021 An excellent shower and one of the three best in the year. Theese shooting stars are bits of dust left behind by comet Halley burning up in the atmosphere. Unfortunately there's also a full moon and its glare will block out fainter meteors. .Meteors will radiate from the constellation Orion, but can appear anywhere in…
- Leonids meteor shower 17/11/2021 The Leonids is an average shower produced by dust grains left behind by comet Tempel-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1865. The nearly full moon will dominate the sky this year, blocking all but the brightest meteors.
- Geminids meteor shower - the best! 13/12/2021 The Geminids is the king of the meteor showers and caused by debris left behind by an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, which was discovered in 1982. The shower runs annually from December 7-17. It peaks this year on the night of the 13th and morning of the 14th. The waxing gibbous moon will block…
Category Archives: astronomy
What to look out for in 2021
Long summer nights means we see far fewer stars, but if you live between 50 and 60 degrees north we have the compensation of being able to view Noctilucent Clouds. These are the highest that can form in the Earth’s … Continue reading
Posted in astronomy, outreach, science
Tagged astronomy, comet, dark skies, Kielder, moon, Northumberland, star party, stars
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