observing – Page 6 – Astronomy Now

Watch the Orionid meteor shower peak on Friday night

19 October 2022 Steve Kelly

The Orionid meteor shower is one of autumn’s major meteor showers and is a firm favourite with shooting-star watchers.

Observe a partial eclipse of the Sun

18 October 2022 Mark Armstrong

This month’s partial eclipse of the Sun is visible across the length and breadth of the UK on the morning of 25th October 2022.

Observe majestic Messier 33: A Local Group heavyweight

12 October 2022 Mark Armstrong

Messier 33 (NGC 598), the famous Triangulum Galaxy, takes its nickname from the constellation that hosts it.

Spiral galaxy NGC 7331: Deserving of Messier status

5 October 2022 Mark Armstrong

NGC 7331 is a superb spiral galaxy lying in northern Pegasus, one of the brightest visible in the autumn sky.

The Helix Nebula: a big and good-looking planetary!

3 October 2022 Mark Armstrong

The Helix Nebula (NGC 7293 and Caldwell 63) is arguably Aquarius’ showpiece deep-sky destination.

Uncloak the Veil Nebula

22 August 2022 Mark Armstrong

The Veil Nebula in Cygnus is an iconic deep-sky target, a ‘must-see’ object that rivals or exceeds anything else you’ll likely to observe this summer.

North America Nebula is a true likeness

8 August 2022 Mark Armstrong

The North America Nebula (NGC 7000/Caldwell 20) in Cygnus is a fantastic emission nebula, an iconic object providing one of the highlights of the summer sky.

Don’t miss Albireo: a glorious colour-contrast double star

2 August 2022 Mark Armstrong

Albireo (beta [β] Cygni) is unquestionably the finest colour-contrast double star in the entire heavens, providing an unmissable target on summer nights.

Messier 57: Lyra’s heavenly ring

11 July 2022 Mark Armstrong

Messier 57 is the famous Ring Nebula in Lyra, a showpiece planetary nebula that’s arguably the finest and most observed in its class.

Don’t miss Rasalgethi, Hercules’ colourful secret

27 June 2022 Mark Armstrong

Look to southern Hercules and you’ll be thrilled to come across Rasalgethi (alpha [α] Herculis, the constellation’s lead star and a colour-contrast double star out of the top drawer.