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Messier 2: a fine globular cluster in Aquarius

25 September 2023 Mark Armstrong

Messier 2 is probably the best globular cluster of the late-summer/early autumn sky, being a big and bright telescopic target that can also be swept up through 10 x 50 binoculars.

NGC 488: Pisces’ hidden galaxy that’s a work of art

18 September 2023 Mark Armstrong

NGC 488 in Pisces is an oval-shaped face-on spiral galaxy that’s a bit of a hidden gem.

Comet 2P/Encke on close approach to Earth

11 September 2023 Mark Armstrong

For the next month or so you can see the return of periodic comet 2P/Encke (Encke’s Comet).

Venus’ brilliant evening showing for the rest of the year

6 September 2023 Mark Armstrong

Venus is now a brilliant ‘morning star’ seen for a short time in the pre-dawn eastern sky.

Comet C/2023 P1 (Nishimura) brightening with nice tail

4 September 2023 Mark Armstrong

Comet C/2023 P1 (Nishimura) was discovered by on August 11 by Hideo Nishimura of Japan. It’s currently in the pre-dawn sky and visible through large binoculars, but you’ll need to observe as soon as possible this week.

Cygnus’ Crescent rides high on summer evenings

28 August 2023 Mark Armstrong

Superb Cygnus (the Swan) owns the summer nights. It is a constellation overloaded with bright deep-sky objects, including some exceptional nebulae.

See Saturn as opposition this weekend

22 August 2023 Mark Armstrong

The amazing ringed world Saturn, the jewel in the Solar System’s crown, comes to opposition on 27 August.

Capitalise on Barnard’s giant ‘E’ in the sky

21 August 2023 Mark Armstrong

Barnard’s ‘E’ in Aquila is formed from the dark nebulae Barnard 142 and 143 (B142/143). At

New comet predicted to brighten rapidly as it sprints Sunwards

18 August 2023 Mark Armstrong

Comet C/2023 P1 (Nishimura) is a brand new comet discovered by on August 11 by Hideo Nishimura of Japan. In its one and only visit to the Solar System, it may reach magnitude +2 when at perihelion in September.

Celestial pyrotechnics in NGC 6946, the Fireworks Galaxy

14 August 2023 Mark Armstrong

NGC 6946 is a marvellously handsome-looking galaxy, with its enticing ‘pinwheel’ spiral structure set in a star-sparkling field for those imagers looking for the prettiest of pictures.