Observing – Page 5 – Astronomy Now

M95 & M96: A close galaxy pairing in Leo

13 March 2024 Mark Armstrong

Spiral galaxies Messier 95 and 96 are Leo’s second great Messier duo, after Messier 65 and 66.

Explore Puppis’ Messier cluster trio

26 February 2024 Mark Armstrong

Puppis is rich in open clusters, including the Messier trio of M46, M47 and M93.

Moon close to the Pleiades

14 February 2024 Mark Armstrong

It’s always a prime observing event when the Moon pays a visit to the magnificent Pleiades open cluster (M45).

Valleys on the Moon

13 February 2024 Mark Armstrong

With a waxing Moon riding high in the early-evening sky, now is a good time to become acquainted with four of the best valleys on the lunar surface.

Get a buzz from the Beehive

9 February 2024 Mark Armstrong

Messier 44 in Cancer is a marvellous open cluster that’s a great sight through a modest pair of binoculars.

Ignite Auriga’s Flaming Star Nebula

4 December 2023 Steve Kelly

IC 405, the colourful Flaming Star Nebula, is a prime target in the northern sky.

Go to the edge with NGC 891

26 November 2023 Mark Armstrong

NGC 891 in Andromeda is one of the finest edge-on spiral galaxies in the northern heavens.

Look out for the Leonids!

16 November 2023 Mark Armstrong

The annual Leonid meteor shower peaks on the morning of 18 November

Observing

Uranus at its best for the year

13 November 2023 Mark Armstrong

Remote and endlessly fascinating, Uranus is now peaking in accessibility, offering the best observing chances this year.

Messier 74’s face-on beauty in Pisces

16 October 2023 Mark Armstrong

Messier 74 (NGC 628) is a spiral galaxy out of the top-drawer. This far-flung island universe yields awe-inspiring images, its sweeping spiral arms being presented in the ‘grand-design’ manner.