Astronomy – Astronomy Now

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.

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.

NGC 2903 in Leo: the best galaxy not in Messier’s list?

15 March 2023 Mark Armstrong

Leo hosts five galaxies with Messier status but, inexplicably, the fantastic spiral NGC 2903 is not one of them.

Track down a trio of great double stars

27 February 2023 Steve Kelly

Double and multiple stars are well represented in the late-winter sky. Here’s three great examples to enjoy through a small telescope.

The Eskimo: observe one of winter’s best planetary nebulae

20 February 2023 Steve Kelly

The Eskimo Nebula or Clown Face Nebula in Gemini is a bright and popular planetary nebula found through a small telescope.

The magnificent Orion Nebula

6 February 2023 Mark Armstrong

Start the year off in great style by catching up with Messier 42, the spectacular Orion Nebula which is arguably the best and most sought out deep-sky object of all.

Observe NGC 2403; an M33 lookalike

21 December 2022 Mark Armstrong

NGC 2403 (Caldwell 7) is a large, bright galaxy that serves up good views for small telescopes but it’s position in the rather obscure northern constellation of Camelopardalis has stunted its popularity.

Geminid meteors burst out!

13 December 2022 Mark Armstrong

Watch out tonight (13th/14th) and tomorrow night (14th/15th) for the welcome return of the Geminid meteor shower.

Home in on the Hyades

12 December 2022 Mark Armstrong

The outline of the Hyades open star cluster in Taurus is one of the best naked-eye landmarks in the winter sky. It’s brightest stars form into a ‘V’- or wedge-shaped-asterism, or star pattern that’s an easy spot around 25 degrees to the upper-right (north-west) of Orion’s famous ‘Belt’.