Derekscope

Northern Lights over looking the Norfolk coast this morning at 4am.
o

Mercury will reach its superior conjunction, meaning it will be on the far side of the Sun from earth and therefore cannot seen.
o
 At this point, Mercury will move from the morning sky to the evening sky, but it will remain hidden in the Sun’s glare for the rest of the month, making it invisible to observers in the UK – next visible in October in the evening sky.
o

The Moon occulting The Pleiades Cluster (M45)

Moon occults the Pleiades shortly after they rises together along the Northeast-East horizon that already in the process of eclipsing M45.
o
How to sign occultation in BSL?
o

Tonight’s sky over the UK is serving up a great pairing of bright Moon & Saturn, both visible all the night sky.

From 22:00 / 10pm onwards, when they are high enough for clear viewing – this alignment is perfect for outreach and bright enough for binoculars.
o

Some of our deaf astronomers and friends all over the UK – I received too many text as they were delighted and excited to witness pop out and look to the Moon but some of them were gutted due the clouds obstructed.

One of them from Berkshire Deaf Astronomical Society was sent me her photo of Partial eclipsed – fabulous!, that they witnessed it! – see below, and far below the clouds managed to clear up I was just in time to get this photo.
oooo

Moon captivates deaf sky-watchers during lunar eclipse from the UK

oooo

A plane passing in front of the Lunar eclipse
by Robin & Dorothy Lowe,
Hertfordshire Deaf Astronomical Society

oooo

Milton Keynes Deaf Astronomical Society
The sky did finally clear, but it was way too late for the shot – a reddish of Total Lunar Moon, we had lined up, but there was a little bit of the partial eclipse left.

o
Next Eclipse in the UK – Friday 28th August 2026

oooo

Close approach of the Moon and Saturn

• The Moon will pass close to Saturn on the nights of Sunday 5th and Monday 6th October 2025, with their closest approach occurring late on the 5th October.

• Saturn, with its iconic rings, is one of the brightest planets visible to the naked eye.
  o
• When it appears next to the Moon, it’s easy to spot and makes for a stunning sight.
  o
• You can see them without a telescope, though binoculars or a scope will enhance the view.
  o

DON’T MISS IT

Total Lunar Eclipse

The Moon will turn a deep coppery red!

(Click below for enlarge)

The Moon will rise above the horizon just in time for us
to see this total lunar eclipse from the UK.
o

The maximum will occur at 7.33pm BST from the UK, with the eclipse’s actual maximum at 7.11pm when the Moon is below the horizon.
o

The Moon will then gradually move out of Earth’s umbra and penumbra until 9.55pm.
o

As the Moon will be low on the horizon and quite difficult to see, find a high point with a clear view to the East to see the most of this eclipse.
o

oooo

See the table shows upcoming
UK Lunar eclipse date (2025 – 2030)
Next eclipses in the UK – Friday 28th August 2026

oooo

How to sign eclipses in BSL?

Here the photo according to Monday 1st September 2025
(Close conjunction of Messier 44 & Venus.)

oooo