Observing – Astronomy Now

Catch superb Saturn at its best in 2022

11 August 2022 Mark Armstrong

The Solar System’s most picturesque planet comes to opposition at 17h UT on 14 August, when it lies at the vast distance of 1,324 million kilometres.

How to beat the Moon’s glare to see the Perseid meteors

10 August 2022 Mark Armstrong

Despite the strong Moonlight pervading this Friday’s night sky, it’ll still be worth seeking out Perseid shooting stars as the shower perennially produces high rates of meteors

North America Nebula is a true likeness

8 August 2022 Mark Armstrong

The North America Nebula (NGC 7000/Caldwell 20) in Cygnus is a fantastic emission nebula, an iconic object providing one of the highlights of the summer sky.

Don’t miss Albireo: a glorious colour-contrast double star

2 August 2022 Mark Armstrong

Albireo (beta [β] Cygni) is unquestionably the finest colour-contrast double star in the entire heavens, providing an unmissable target on summer nights.

Observe the dramatic Dumbbell Nebula

25 July 2022 Mark Armstrong

The glorious Dumbbell Nebula, in Vulpecula, is unquestionably one of the top planetary nebulae in the entire sky.

Shine light on the Cat’s Eye

21 July 2022 Mark Armstrong

The Cat’s Eye Nebula’s present-day popularity owes much to the Hubble Space Telescope’s dramatic portraits, though it was famous well over a century before Hubble was even conceived.

Messier 57: Lyra’s heavenly ring

11 July 2022 Mark Armstrong

Messier 57 is the famous Ring Nebula in Lyra, a showpiece planetary nebula that’s arguably the finest and most observed in its class.

Globular Messier 92: living in M13’s shadow

4 July 2022 Mark Armstrong

Messier 92 is a fine globular cluster that lies among the stars of northern Hercules, making it superbly placed in the summer sky for observers at mid-northern latitudes.

Don’t miss Rasalgethi, Hercules’ colourful secret

27 June 2022 Mark Armstrong

Look to southern Hercules and you’ll be thrilled to come across Rasalgethi (alpha [α] Herculis, the constellation’s lead star and a colour-contrast double star out of the top drawer.

Observe the best of Ophiuchus’ splendid bunch of Messier globular clusters

21 June 2022 Mark Armstrong

It’s exciting to observing the multitude of bright globular clusters, incredibly dense balls of stars that provide striking viewing with even a modest optical aid, that are on show at this time of the year.