Mark Armstrong – Page 20

Craters Hipparchus and Albategnius

4 December 2014 Mark Armstrong

First or last Quarter Moon is the best time to see some of the magnificent crater chains near the centre of the Earth-turned lunar hemisphere. Marnix Praet from Belgium provides this high-resolution view of the Hipparchus and Albategnius region.

The Pleiades in all their glory

26 November 2014 Mark Armstrong

The Pleiades in Taurus, otherwise known as the Seven Sisters, is an unrivalled open cluster of late autumn and winter Northern Hemisphere skies. This marvellous portrait of M45 was taken by Ian Aiken.

Leonids meteor shower reaches its peak

17 November 2014 Mark Armstrong

The Leonid meteor shower has been active for a few days now and reaches its peak on the night of 17/18 November. We can expect around 20 meteors per hour at best, with the radiant rising in the UK after 9pm.

Taurid meteors put on celestial fireworks show this month

3 November 2014 Mark Armstrong

The Taurids meteor shower is active throughout November with a double radiant and a double peak. Observers can usually expect around 10 meteors per hour from dark sky locations.

Mercury’s morning show

30 October 2014 Mark Armstrong

If you’ve never seen the Solar System’s innermost planet before, now is your chance, as long as early morning starts don’t worry you!

The emission nebulae IC405 and IC410 in Auriga

27 October 2014 Mark Armstrong

The pairing by David Davies of the emission nebulae IC405 and IC410 in the winter constellation of Auriga, the Charioteer makes for a stunning picture.

Amateur astronomers have ringside seats for cometary close encounter

18 October 2014 Mark Armstrong

Amateur astronomers around the globe have a ringside seat as Comet 2013 A1 (Siding Spring) hurtles through space en route to an incredibly close encounter with the planet Mars on Sunday, 19 October.

Mighty Jupiter meets the Moon in the early morning

15 October 2014 Mark Armstrong

The coming together of a bright planet with a thin crescent Moon is an event well worth seeing, even if you have to set the alarm clock for an early wake up.