Observing

22 January 2021

Historic great conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn this evening

21 December 2020 Mark Armstrong

Today Jupiter and Saturn lie closer together in the sky than at any time in almost the past 400 years, in a once-in-a-lifetime event that’s been termed the ‘Great conjunction’.

The giant planets Jupiter and Saturn come together in the sky

15 December 2020 Mark Armstrong

The countdown is on for the great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. The two giant planets of the Solar System will lie a mere six arcminutes apart on 21 December.

Don’t miss a shooting-star spectacular from the Geminids

13 December 2020 Mark Armstrong

The Geminid meteor shower peaks Sunday night (13 December), providing a great opportunity to witness the best meteor shower of the year.

See Comet ATLAS in the evening sky

18 November 2020 Mark Armstrong

Comet C/2020 M3 (ATLAS) is now in the late-evening sky among the bright stars of Orion and is bright enough to be viewed through a pair of binoculars from a dark-sky site.

Don’t miss the Perseid meteor shower

10 August 2020 Mark Armstrong

Get ready for the annual Perseid meteor shower this week, one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the astronomical calendar.

Set your sights on Saturn

20 July 2020 Mark Armstrong

The magnificent ringed planet Saturn, the jewel in the Solar System’s crown, comes to opposition on the night of 20/21 July. At around this time, the ringed wonder offers its best observing circumstances for 2020.

Don’t miss Comet NEOWISE in the evening

17 July 2020 Mark Armstrong

Comet 2020 F3 (NEOWISE) is proving to be a smash hit, provoking an incredible level of interest as it captivates astronomers across the Northern Hemisphere, who have been crying out for a comet that’s visible to the naked-eye and also looks like a ‘proper’ comet.