As the Red Planet Mars is becoming more prominent in our skies, several missions are making their way across the gulf of space to explore. It’s an exciting time for Martian science! Let’s take a look at how our next door neighbour has captured the imaginations of the human race. Mars in the Solar System …
Dwarf Planets of our Solar System
As Ceres reaches opposition this week, back garden telescopes will be able to catch it in the constellation of Aquarius! But how do dwarf planets like Ceres fit into our picture of the solar system? Although not as big or flashy as the larger planets, dwarf planets have a lot to offer the world of …
Perseids Meteor Shower 2020: How you can view it
In the month of August, we are treated to one of the most spectacular sights in the astronomical calendar: the Perseids meteor shower! Widely regarded as the biggest meteor shower of the year, the Perseids can produce displays of up to 150 meteors an hour. You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity! What …
Spotlight on Jupiter
This month is a great time to see Jupiter in our night skies. Appearing in the south, the largest planet in our solar system is a brilliant sight, whether you’re observing with the naked eye, or following the path of its moons with binoculars! But what is this distant planet really like? A Planetary Goliath …
Spotlight on Venus
As the Earth’s nearest neighbour, Venus is one of the easiest planets to spot in the night sky. Named after the Roman goddess of love, it shines resplendently, often just after sunset or before sunrise. This week, it will be particularly bright, as it reaches its greatest brightness in the dawn sky of the 8th. …
Comet NEOWISE – How you can see it
This month sees an exciting new object grace our skies. Comet C/2020 F3 NEOWISE, more commonly known as Comet NEOWISE, was discovered by the NEOWISE space telescope on the 27th March 2020. But don’t worry, you don’t need to launch yourself into space to see it! Comets are notoriously unpredictable, and it’s often difficult for …
Observing the Moon
If you’re just starting out in astronomy, observing the Moon is a good place to start! The Earth’s only natural satellite is a familiar sight in our night skies, but have you ever taken a closer look? Read on to find out what makes the Moon special. Spoiler alert: it’s not made of cheese! The …
Spotlight on Mercury
The closest planet to the Sun can often seem tricky to observe, but with keen eyes and a clear horizon, you can spot this alien world. Read on to find out more about Mercury, the small, rocky planet skirting the heart of our Solar System. Mercury in History Mercury, so named for the god of …
Comets and Observing them
Comet C/2017 T2 PANSTARRS is in the sky this month. As a long-period comet, you won’t have another chance to see it, so catch a glimpse while you can! Here’s a short guide to comets and how best to observe them. What is a comet? Throughout history, comets have been given scientific and mystical importance …
Conjunctions in Astronomy
This Sunday 26th April, the three-day-old Moon will be in conjunction with the brightest planet, Venus. Conjunctions are a brilliant example of astronomical phenomena you can observe from your back garden with your own two eyes! They occur when astronomical objects appear close to each other in the sky. When these objects are particularly bright, …