Observing – Page 50 – Astronomy Now

Elusive Mercury and dazzling Venus together as evening stars

2 January 2015 Mark Armstrong

Inner planets Mercury and Venus are currently approaching conjunction, low to the southwest horizon shortly after sunset. If you have an extra clear sky, then Mars completes the scene.

Jupiter’s moon events enthral observers

2 January 2015 Ade Ashford

The continued edgewise orbital aspect of Jupiter’s large moons Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto means that they still regularly eclipse and occult each other. Multiple shadow transits also continue throughout January.

Don’t miss the Quadrantid meteor shower

2 January 2015 Mark Armstrong

The first shooting stars of 2015 belong to the the Quadrantids, a shower that peaks on the night of 3rd/4th January. Despite the interference of a gibbous Moon, expect some bright, sometimes blue and yellow coloured meteors that may leave glowing trails.

Get ready for Comet Lovejoy!

29 December 2014 Ade Ashford

C/2014 Q2, better known as Comet Lovejoy, is brightening fast and rapidly heading into the Northern Hemisphere sky. Here’s our quick guide to viewing what will hopefully be the first naked-eye comet of 2015.

Utilities for telescopes and DSLR cameras

17 December 2014 Ade Ashford

We bring you two more online utilities designed to help you get the most out of your telescope and optical accessories, both for visual use and astroimaging with digital single-lens reflex cameras.

Geminid meteor shower reaches its peak

11 December 2014 Mark Armstrong

With the Moon past Last Quarter and rising after midnight, prospects are good for observing the closing stages of the Geminid meteor shower — now the richest shooting stars display of the year.

Double the fun as magnitude-3.6 star λ Geminorum is hidden by the Moon

8 December 2014 Ade Ashford

The last lunar occultation of a conspicuous naked-eye star for UK observers in 2014 occurs around 6 am on Tuesday, 9th December. Set your alarm and prepare your telescope for the disappearance and reapparance of λ Geminorum.

New interactive website tools for observers

8 December 2014 Ade Ashford

Astronomy Now Online brings you a powerful interactive global Almanac and UK-based all-sky star maps — the first of a new suite of tools to help plan your observing sessions and travel.

Jupiter’s moon dance and shadow play to delight observers

3 December 2014 Ade Ashford

The orbits of Jupiter’s large Galilean moons Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto are presently almost edge-on to our line of sight, causing the moons to regularly eclipse and occult each other. Multiple shadow transits are also on view!

See the year’s largest First Quarter Moon on 29th November

28 November 2014 Ade Ashford

The Moon’s distance from the Earth, and hence its apparent size, waxes and wanes just like its phases. It so happens that Saturday’s First Quarter Moon is closer than normal…