Archive – Page 25 – Astronomy Now

Mars comes to opposition and is occulted by the Moon!

5 December 2022 Mark Armstrong

The long-awaited opposition of Mars on 8 December is a great way to put the icing on top of another great observing year.

Uranus occulted by the Moon

4 December 2022 Mark Armstrong

A pretty rare observational event visible across the whole of the UK, a planet occulted by the Moon, occurs on the early-evening of 5 December when the Moon moves over Uranus.

Majestic Messier 45: take a peak at the Pleiades!

28 November 2022 Mark Armstrong

The Pleiades open cluster, or Messier 45, in Taurus is as good as it gets for night-sky eye candy.

Observe Messier 34, Perseus’ commanding open cluster

23 November 2022 Mark Armstrong

Messier 34 (NGC 1039) in Perseus is a gem of an open cluster that offers something for all observers.

Look to luminous Messier 77

14 November 2022 Mark Armstrong

Messier 77 (NGC 1068 and Arp 37) is an impressive spiral galaxy in Cetus that presents face-on to our Earthly perspective.

Don’t miss the stunning Double Cluster in Perseus

9 November 2022 Mark Armstrong

The magnificent pair of open clusters forming the Double Cluster in Perseus is the finest in its class at mid-northern latitudes.

Track down Messier 76, the superb Little Dumbbell planetary nebula

31 October 2022 Mark Armstrong

One of only four planetary nebulae to be included in Charles Messier’s famous catalogue, fabulous Messier 76 (NGC 650/651) in Perseus rewards observers and imagers alike.

Messier 52 and NGC 7789: Observe a great pair of open cluster’s in Cassiopeia

24 October 2022 Mark Armstrong

Messier 52 (NGC 7654) and NGC 7789 are two of a trio of great open clusters found in Cassiopeia

Webb captures stunning new view of ‘Pillars of Creation’

19 October 2022 Astronomy Now

The James Webb Space Telescope takes a look at the “Pillars of Creation” at the heart of the Eagle Nebula, providing a stunning update to one of Hubble’s most iconic images.

Watch the Orionid meteor shower peak on Friday night

19 October 2022 Steve Kelly

The Orionid meteor shower is one of autumn’s major meteor showers and is a firm favourite with shooting-star watchers.