Observing – Astronomy Now

8 June 2023

Galaxy NGC 4565: Coma’s edge-on wonder

29 May 2023 Mark Armstrong

It’s quite an accolade for NGC 4565, a stunning edge-on galaxy in Coma Berenices that’s also known as Caldwell 38 and the Needle Galaxy, to be widely regarded as the finest in its class.

Call on the Coma Star Cluster

23 May 2023 Mark Armstrong

Melotte III is a sprawling open cluster that can be spotted with the naked eye tucked away in far north-west of Coma Berenices.

Make eyes at Messier 64, the Black Eye Galaxy

15 May 2023 Mark Armstrong

There are so many bright galaxies to choose from in springtime, but one you definitely shouldn’t miss is the marvellous ‘Black Eye Galaxy’, or Messier 64.

Catch the rays from the Sunflower Galaxy

10 May 2023 Mark Armstrong

Messier 63 (NGC 5055), the Sunflower Galaxy in Canes Venatici, sits comfortably with its reputation as one of the great galaxies visible in the night sky at springtime.

Mizar and Alcor: The Great Bear’s famous naked-eye double

9 May 2023 Mark Armstrong

Not only of surpassing interest historically, zeta Ursae Majoris (UMa), or Mizar, the middle star in Ursa Major’s famous Plough asterism, is also one of the finest double stars in the sky for a small telescope.

The iconic Sombrero Galaxy in Virgo

24 April 2023 Steve Kelly

If you were to take a poll of the top galaxies that amateur astronomers can observe and image, I bet you wouldn’t need to look far to see the name of the magnificent and striking Sombrero Galaxy (Messier 104 in Virgo). Simply put, the Sombrero is one of the most stunning galaxy of all and is compulsory viewing for all deep-sky observers.

Lyrids meteor shower makes a welcome return

17 April 2023 Mark Armstrong

The April Lyrids meteor shower makes its very welcome annual return this week, as always breaking the roughly 15-week hiatus since the maximum of the past significant shower, the Quadrantids back in January.

Meet monstrous Messier 87

17 April 2023 Mark Armstrong

Lurking close to the centre of the massive agglomeration of galaxies which straddle the boundary between Virgo and Coma Berenices lies a circular, ninth-magnitude spot of light seen through binoculars and a small telescope on the Virgo side of the border.

Five deep-sky challenges for spring

11 April 2023 Mark Armstrong

Local Group member Leo 1 is a dwarf spheroidal galaxy that’s a distant satellite of our own Milky Way Galaxy. It’s one of a number of observing challenges that Leo offers up, though it presents unique difficulties.

Messier 101: Ursa Major’s spectacular Pinwheel Galaxy

6 April 2023 Mark Armstrong

Messier 101 in Ursa Major is a magnificent ‘grand design’ spiral galaxy popularly known as the Pinwheel Galaxy. Located high in the northern sky it’s an unmissable target for spring nights.