Author Archives: Derek

For the Jupiter’s observers, this might be unique – while these moons are often visible, their specific alignment and proximity to Jupiter tonight could make this a particularly interesting viewing opportunity. 

Look towards the eastern horizon as dawn breaks;OVenus – the brightest of the three, appearing as a very bright “morning star”.oSaturn – it will be noticeably dimmer than Venus, but still visible.oMoon – a thin, waning crescent, about 10% illuminated.o … Continue reading →

This observation will be possible about 30 minutes before sunrise, if the eastern horizon is unobstructed.

Meteor Showers – Lyrids Note: Today sees the meteor showers reach its peak at around 14:00 / 2pm (BST), meaning that the best observing times are this morning and from darkness the evening (Tuesday 22nd April) through to dawn on … Continue reading →

Mercury will reach its greatest elongation east – meaning it will be farthest from the Sun in the morning sky. Despite being at its greatest elongation, Mercury will be a morning planet in April 2025, and its position is not … Continue reading →

A red supergiant is about 76,000 times more luminous than our Sun that appears as a bright reddish dot to the naked eye; to easily find Antares in the sky in your exact location, use the Moon following upper right to … Continue reading →

Great opportunity for astrophotography – two of Jupiter’s moons appearing just below the planet’s edge ~ really a fantastic sight in a pair of binoculars or telescope view.

Great opportunity for astrophotography that Main-Belt asteroid, 8 Flora passed in the front of the galaxy, NGC3286 in the constellation Leo.

Three rising planets in the twilight morning are Venus, Mercury and Saturn in the eastern sky with Venus being brightest and servicing as a guide to find the dimmer Mercury and Saturn.

Tonight the Moon, in its first quarter phase, will appear near Mars, with the Moon lying approximately 1.6 degrees south of Mars.