observing – Page 8 – Astronomy Now

Get ready for Jupiter and Mars’ close confrontation

19 May 2022 Mark Armstrong

Keep the diary free towards the end of May to witness another very close conjunction between two of the major planets in the Solar System.

Don’t miss out on Messier 51, the wonderful Whirlpool Galaxy

16 May 2022 Mark Armstrong

Magnificent Messier 51 (NGC 5194), the Whirlpool Galaxy in Canes Venatici, is without doubt the best and most famous example of a spiral galaxy that is presented face-on to our perspective.

Watch Venus and Jupiter as they converge for this weekend’s great conjunction

27 April 2022 Mark Armstrong

Venus and Jupiter now lie close together in the pre-dawn eastern sky, providing a marvellous albeit lowly sight just before sunrise.

Don’t miss Mercury, now at its evening’s best for the year

24 April 2022 Mark Armstrong

Mercury is now visible soon after sunset in the west-north-western sky.

Link-up with the Lyrids

20 April 2022 Mark Armstrong

The return of the yearly April Lyrids meteor shower is very welcome for meteor observers, breaking the roughly 15-week hiatus since the maximum of the Quadrantids meteor shower on 3 January.

Markarian’s Chain -the eyes have it!

19 April 2022 Mark Armstrong

The Virgo Cluster of galaxies reigns supreme for galaxy enthusiasts on spring nights.

Observe the iconic Sombrero Galaxy

18 April 2022 Mark Armstrong

If you were to take a poll of the top galaxies that amateur astronomers can observe and image, I bet you wouldn’t need to look far to see the name of the magnificent and striking Sombrero Galaxy (Messier 104 in Virgo).

Observe a great globular – Messier 3

15 April 2022 Mark Armstrong

Messier 3 (NGC 5272), which shines brightly at magnitude +5.9, is easily seen through 10 × 50 binoculars and is a stunning sight through a telescope.

Observe spring’s radiant sunflower in April

14 April 2022 Mark Armstrong

Messier 63 (NGC 5055), the Sunflower Galaxy in Canes Venatici, sits comfortably with its reputation as one of the great galaxies visible in the night sky at springtime.

Observe Messier 81 this April

13 April 2022 Mark Armstrong

Messier 81 (NGC 3031) in Ursa Major is one of the finest galaxies in the entire sky.