Derekscope

• Though it looks like one star to the naked eye, Spica is actually a close double star ~ two massive blue‑white stars orbiting each other every 4 days.
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• Both stars are hotter and larger than our Sun.
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• Binoculars
  – Spica always looks like a single bright point of bluish‑white light.
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• Telescope
  – Even with good backyard telescopes, Spica still appears as one star.
  – The two components are separated by less than 0.1 arcseconds (far below the resolving power of amateur instruments).
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• On Saturday 7th February 2026 at 6am, the Moon will appear very close to Spica, the brightest star in Virgo.
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• Telescope 80–100 mm
  Enough to see Ganymede, its shadow, and the GRS, though with limited detail.
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• Increase magnification (Telescope)
  Around 120×–180× gives a good balance of detail and stability.
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• Wait for steady moments:
  The shadow is easiest to see when the atmosphere briefly calms.
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• Look for contrast
  Ganymede’s shadow appears as a small, sharp dark dot on Jupiter’s cloud tops.
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• GRS timing
  The Great Red Spot is easiest when it’s near the centre of Jupiter’s disc.
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Welcome everyone to visit their exhibition

• Deaf astronomers will be visiting this year’s exhibition, and we’re excited to welcome everyone to visit their AstroFest exhibition.
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• Three floors of exhibition space with everything from the latest telescopes and equipment to astronomy books and magazines.
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• We look forward to seeing you at the exhibition.
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• More information about BDAA events – read more.
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• On the night of Monday 2nd thru Tuesday 3rd February 2026, the Full Moon and Regulus will appear in the same line toward the southern sky.
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• Around 03:45 / 3.35am on Tuesday 3rd February, the Moon will be directly below Regulus.
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• The Moon’s bright disk will form a straight line with Regulus above it, making the star easy to spot despite the glare.
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Snow Moon

• It will be in the constellation Cancer and is traditionally called the Snow Moon, reflecting the deep winter season.
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• The Moon will be high in the sky by late evening, making it excellent for outreach events or astrophotography.
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• Its position in Cancer places it near the Beehive Cluster (Messier 44), which could be a beautiful pairing for binocular or telescope viewing.
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• Traditional Full Moon Names and their Meanings
  – Full Moon names reflect seasonal changes and natural rhythms observed by early cultures, particularly those influenced by UK colonial traditions and Native American heritage.
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  – Learn more about traditional Full Moon Names and their Meanings ~ Read more.
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• The Moon will appear in line with Pollux and Castor, the twin stars of Gemini in an early evening at 17:30 / 5.30pm.
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• Best viewing is in the early evening to midnight, when Gemini is high in the southeast sky.
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• Your guide to the night sky this month, and a guide for binoculars, and telescope deaf owners, compiled by Derek Rowley.
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• Click the blue link below for more information;

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Astronomy Highlights for February 2026

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• At 7:30 pm, Jupiter shines just 4° above the Moon, the two sharing a straight path across the night sky.
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Algol Minima

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• The bright variable star Beta Persei (Algol) will reach its minimum brightness at 01:03 / 1.03 am in the early morning on Friday 30th January and will be visible from the UK.
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• Here’s a list of upcoming minimum brightness times for Algol – read more.
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• The Moon will reach perigee, its closest point to Earth, at 21:44 / 9.44pm today.
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• Already quite large and bright in the constellation Taurus , as it’s approaching full phase and perigee.
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