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Observations
Infographic: Astro Highlights in Autumn 2024
September 1 2024, Marcus Schenk
From encounters with famous planets – thereof two oppositions – up to nights with beautiful meteor showers: The starry fall sky from September to November offers fascinating views for all stargazers.
In the current infographic “Astro Highlights in Autumn 2024” we have compiled the most beautiful of these celestial events.
You are welcome to use the graphic on our website (with a link to www.astroshop.eu) and inform your visitors about upcoming exciting events.
September:
8.9. Saturn in opposition
Saturn is in opposition to the Sun and reaches its best visibility. It can be seen all night long and shines with a brightness of 0.5 magnitudes. It is as bright as the brightest stars in the sky, but is easily recognizable by its yellowish color and steady glow. The ringed planet will reach its highest position – the meridian – only after midnight, making it particularly good to behold in telescopes. Its currently present narrow ring opening is striking, which will continue to diminish until Saturn reaches its edge-on position to Earth in March of next year. This however will not be visible to us because the ringed planet will then be in conjunction with the Sun.
17.9. Moon and Saturn
On September 17th, at 19:15 CEST, we expect a beautiful celestial spectacle: The rising full Moon meets the planet Saturn. The bright Moon and the comparatively weaker Saturn will appear in the evening sky about 5.5 degrees apart. Saturn, which was in opposition to the Sun on September 8th, remains well visible.
18.9. Partial Lunar Eclipse
During the night of September 18th we will experience a glimpse of Earth’s shadow: A partial lunar eclipse. Early birds can perceive the first shadow on the Moon at 4:12am CEST, approaching from the northwest. The maximum coverage of just under 10 percent will be reached around 4:45am CEST. The Moon will finally emerge completely from the Earth’s umbra at 5:18am CEST. Although this is just a minor eclipse, it is a must for all amateur astronomers – keep your telescopes and binoculars ready.
21.9. Neptune in Opposition
On September 21st Neptune reaches its opposition and shines with a brightness of 7.8 mag in the night sky. The planet is visible all night long and can be observed with both telescopes and binoculars. Neptune shows a distinct disc size and a characteristic color appearance in the eyepiece, that clearly distinguishes it from the surrounding stars. Definitely an exciting target for all amateur astronomers.
23.9. Moon meets Jupiter
Just after midnight on September 23rd we can observe the Moon and Jupiter in the constellation of Taurus. Both celestial bodies are about 6 degrees apart. At dawn they will gradually dissipate through the incoming sunlight.
25.9. Moon meets Mars
During the night of September 25th we can once again observe an encounter between the Moon and Mars. The Moon begins its journey over the Eastern horizon, followed shortly by the Red Planet.
October:
5.10. Moon meets Venus
On October 5th you can observe an interesting celestial event on the western horizon: Venus as the evening star meets the crescent Moon. This encounter will be clearly visible in the evening.
9.10. Draconid Meteor Shower
The Draconid meteor shower peaks on October 9th. Meteors of this shower originate from the constellation of Draco, which is located above the Big Dipper. The activity of these shooting stars can vary greatly, so it is recommended to watch out for the Draconids also several days before and after October 9th.
14.10. Moon meets Saturn
In the evening of October 14th a beautiful conjunction between the Moon and Saturn will appear. Saturn, which was in opposition to the Sun last month, still remains visible all night long. During this time Saturn appears particularly bright and prominent, making it an impressive sight in the night sky. The proximity to the Moon enhances the visual impact and offers amateur astronomers a wonderful opportunity for observations.
21.10. Moon meets Jupiter
During this special night you will experience a close encounter between the Moon and Jupiter in the sky, only about 9.5 degrees apart. Both celestial bodies appear amidst a dense field of bright stars, including Capella, Aldebaran and Betelgeuse.
Capella, the brightest star in the constellation of Auriga, shines intensely and has fascinated observers for centuries. Aldebaran, the reddish giant in the constellation of Taurus, marks the prominent eye of the bull. Betelgeuse, a red supergiant in the constellation of Orion, is one of the largest and brightest known stars.
22.10. Orionid Meteor Shower
On October 22nd we expect a night of shooting stars: The Orionids will spawn about 25 to 30 meteors per hour across the night sky. However, their number can vary greatly from year to year. In order to have the best chances for a clear view, observers should use the early morning hours.
The Orionids originate from the famous Halley’s Comet. When Earth passes through the remnants of the comet’s tail, this annual celestial event occurs. The meteors seem to come from the constellation of Orion, which stands out in the southeastern sky during the morning hours. Unfortunately, the Moon will interfere with the observation this year.
A deck chair or a blanket can be helpful for comfortably looking up at the sky. Warm clothing and hot drinks provide additional comfort during an observation in these chilly morning hours.
24.10. Moon meets Mars
On October 24th there is the opportunity to follow the Moon and Mars almost horizontally side by side in the night sky. These two celestial bodies appear together for a short time, offering a picturesque spectacle.
Mars appears as a bright red dot, contrasting with the silver glow of the Moon’s surface. Together they move slowly across the sky and set as a tandem around 23:00pm CEST. Mars will become brighter and its disc diameter will steadily increase, until it reaches a size of 14 arcseconds during its opposition in January.
November:
5.11. Moon meets Venus
Venus is currently our evening star, but sets before 19:00pm CEST. On November 5th we can admire the slim crescent Moon together with the brightly shining Venus. The young crescent Moon is only four days old and thus only illuminated by 16 percent. A very aesthetic experience.
10.11. Moon meets Saturn
Saturn and the Moon appear together on November 10th at about 5 degrees apart in the constellation of Aquarius, offering a beautiful view in the night sky.
17.11. Uranus in Opposition
Uranus reaches its opposition and presents itself with a visual brightness of 5.6 mag. Theoretically it could be seen with the naked eye, but in practice it is recommended to use binoculars or a telescope for a clear view.
To locate it it is best to use a star chart to approach it. In the telescope Uranus then appears as a small, sharply outlined disc with a slightly greenish hue. This event offers you the best chance to observe the seventh planet of our solar system.
17.11. Moon meets Jupiter
Shortly after dusk we can see the Moon and Jupiter rise above the horizon. They are framed by the constellations Auriga and Taurus, which contain the bright stars Capella and Aldebaran. A little higher above we see the famous Pleiades star cluster.
17.11. Leonid Meteor Shower
In the night of November 16th to 17th the Leonids reach their peak, offering an impressive celestial event with up to 20 meteors per hour. This event is a must for meteor fans!
The Leonids owe their name to the constellation of Leo, from which they seem to originate. The true origin of this meteor shower lies in the comet Tempel-Tuttle and its particles cause these meteor showers every year. Particularly remarkable: Every 33 years, the meteor shower intensifies into a real meteor storm, producing far more than 20 meteors per hour – sometimes even up to several hundreds per hour!
20.11. Moon meets Mars
The last significant celestial event in November is the conjunction between the Moon and the planet Mars. During this night the Moon passes by the planet Mars and continues towards the constellation of Cancer near the beautiful M44 star cluster, which is also known as the “Beehive Cluster”.
For sky watchers this event offers an opportunity to see several objects simultaneously. The red planet Mars, the Moon and the prominent M44 star cluster, which you can easily spot already with a small pair of binoculars.
Infographic: Astrohighlights in Summer 2024
June 5 2024, Marcus Schenk
Warm summer nights under a clear sky – this is not only a beautiful sight for amateur astronomers. Of course the nights are now particularly short, but even in the astronomically bright sky we can observe wonderful events. How about a first-class planetary meeting, a close encounter between Spica and the Moon and the long-awaited occultation of the planet Saturn by the Moon? We are certainly also looking forward to the shooting stars in August.
In the current infographic “Astrohighlights in Summer 2024” we have compiled the most beautiful celestial events.
Feel free to use the graphics on your website (with a link to www.astroshop.eu) and also inform your visitors about upcoming exciting events.
June
3.6. Mars meets the Moon
A celestial spectacle awaits early birds on June 3rd. As you look East at dawn, you will witness the reddish Mars and the thin crescent Moon forming a close conjunction – separated only by 2.6 degrees in the sky. This cosmic meeting is not only a fascinating sight, but also a great opportunity for astrophotography.
11.6. The Moon meets Regulus
A celestial view that looks almost royal can be admired tonight: The Moon joins Regulus, the bright main star of the constellation of Leo. The Moon will accompany the majestic lion for two more days, before continuing its journey and entering the next constellation.
16.6. Spica meets the Moon
On June 16th you can pay attention to a close meeting in the night sky between the Moon and Spica, the main star in Virgo. The two approach each other at a distance of only 0.25 degrees. Almost a “cosmic kiss” between these two celestial bodies. Spica, often occulted by the Moon, stays out of an occultation tonight. However, the short distance to the Moon offers an excellent opportunity for observers and photographers to capture this event. So get your telescopes and cameras ready!
27.6. The Moon meets Saturn
In the night of June 27th to 28th the Moon will be relatively close to Saturn. The Moon will approach the ringed planet during its journey and it will almost appear, as if our Moon is going to cover Saturn. From our latitude however, this phenomenon is not visible, as the Moon and Saturn are only visible after midnight. Unfortunately there is no occultation now – we have to wait a bit longer for such an event.
28.6. The Moon meets Neptune
While the rest of the World is still asleep in the early hours of June 28th, the Moon slowly moves towards Neptune – the distant gas giant on the outer edge of our Solar System. With a telescope we can try to catch a glimpse of this planet. Due to its great distance, it appears only as a small disk without recognizable details.
July
1.7. Comet 12P/Olbers
Comets are visitors to the inner Solar System before they disappear for a long time into the outer regions thereof. Once in a while it does happen that they are becoming really bright objects. This year we have already had the luck to observe the comet 12P/Pons-Brooks. In July a relatively bright comet can be seen in the sky: The comet 12P/Olbers. It will reach a brightness of 7.5 mag at the beginning of the month and can be seen with binoculars or a telescope. Unfortunately it is close to the horizon, thus making an observation not so easy. First you should find a location with a unobstructed view of the horizon. In addition, the horizon must be crystal clear, because even small or thin clouds can disturb the observation. If the conditions are good, you should definitely try to observe it!
2./3.7. The Moon meets Jupiter, Mars, Uranus and the Pleiades
The dawn of July 2nd and 3rd offers a beautiful celestial spectacle: The thin crescent Moon meets the planets Jupiter, Mars and Uranus during the night. All these objects are located near the famous Pleiades star cluster. This constellation offers an excellent opportunity for astrophotography in order to capture the meeting of these different celestial objects.
6.7. Ceres in opposition
In the night of July 6th Ceres, the largest dwarf planet in our Solar System, will reach its opposition point. This means that it appears to stand directly opposite to the Sun and is therefore visible all night long. With a brightness of 7.3 mag, Ceres is theoretically visible even with binoculars under favorable conditions, although a telescope is recommended for the observation. Due to its star-like appearance, it is necessary to use a star map to undoubtedly identify Ceres in the starry sky. Being without the distinctive features of a planet, the observation of Ceres requires careful planning and observation.
15.7. Mars meets Uranus
In the early morning of July 15th, it is worth looking at the sky when Mars passes by just below Uranus. The two planets will approach each other just shy of half a degree. This means they will appear in the same field of view in a telescope with a wide-angle (<65°) eyepiece. Have you seen this before? A good opportunity tonight. However, you may start observing only after 2 a.m. onwards. In the course of this night, both planets will rise higher in the sky, improving their visibility and observability.
23.7. Pluto in opposition
The dwarf planet with the big heart will be in opposition to the Sun today and will reach a brightness of 14.3 magnitudes. Therefore this former planet is only visible with large telescopes. It is however possible to image it with smaller telescopes. For the mere observation search charts are recommended.
30.7. Delta Aquarids
Watch out for the Delta Aquarids on July 30th. These meteors appear in the constellation of Aquarius and reach a maximum rate of 25 each per hour. The best time for observation is before midnight, as the Moon will appear above the horizon during the second half of the night. An interesting event for all who love shooting stars.
30.7. The Moon meets Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus
In the early morning of July 30th the Moon, Mars, and Jupiter can be observed in a striking constellation, close to the most famous star cluster – the Pleiades. Framed by the prominent stars Aldebaran and Capella, they create an impressive picture in the night sky. If you look into the sky at the beginning of dawn, you can really only admire this beautiful sight.
August
12.8. Perseids
A cosmic performance unfolds in the vast and rich nightsky of August: The Perseid meteor shower.
The Perseids, as they are called by astronomers, shoot numerous times across the sky this evening and we look up with anticipation. Perhaps we will discover bright examples that we can particularly enjoy.
The media often promises a “spectacular fireworks display of 100 shooting stars per hour, a true rain of shooting stars”. This is often an exaggeration, but even without exaggerating the Perseids can be a sensory and fascinating experience for us.
The Moon is now in its first quarter and will set before midnight. After that we can observe in darkness and undisturbed by stray light. All that’s missing is a comfortable blanket, a warm tea and friends who are enthusiastic about observing – so this evening may become a true success.
14.8. Mars meets Jupiter
In the early hours of August 14th a remarkable event will take place for observers, as Mars and Jupiter will approach each other at an extremely close distance of only 0.3 degrees. This short distance is extremely rare compared to the usual distances between planets in the sky and will appear almost, as if the two planets are touching. An ideal opportunity to grab binoculars or a telescope and observe the event. You can see both planets in one field of view, even at high magnification – a spectacular sight that does not happen very often.
21.8. The Moon covers Saturn
In the night of August 21st a very special spectacle presents itself: The Moon will cover the planet Saturn. Although the Moon and Saturn are already visible during the evening hours, the actual occultation does not occur until the early morning hours. At 5:32 a.m., when the Moon approaches Saturn from its illuminated side, the occultation begins. The ringed planet disappears behind the Moon for about an hour and then re-appears around 6:32 a.m. on the unilluminated side of the Moon. At that time the Moon will still be above the horizon, although the Sun will have already risen about 10 minutes earlier.
26.8. The Moon meets the Pleiades
On August 26th an interesting astronomical encounter will take place: The Moon will be in the famous Pleiades star cluster. Additionally, the Moon will move from the West towards the bright star Atlas and cover it in the early morning hours (from 5:40 a.m.). That is not all however, because in the constellation of Taurus there is still more to discover: If you look a little lower, you will find the planets Mars and Jupiter. The planet Uranus is in the same constellation as well, but since it is only visible with binoculars or a telescope, you will need a search chart.
27.8. The Moon meets Jupiter and Mars
In the night of August 27th it is worth looking again at Taurus, which appears above the horizon in the second half of the night. The constellation is accompanied by the planets Jupiter and Mars. Especially at early dawn, when the sky turns blueish, they form an incredibly beautiful trio together with the waning Moon.
Infographic: Astrohighlights in Spring 2024
February 29 2024, Marcus Schenk
Look up in the sky and be amazed by the interesting Astronomical events of the coming months! A comet in the evening sky, an impressive meteor shower, as well as fascinating encounters between the Moon and the planets or stars, are waiting to be observed. To make sure you do not miss any of these highlights, we have collected an overview of these celestial events under “Astrohighlights in Spring 2024”.
In this graphic you will find a quick overview and a selection of particularly interesting celestial phenomena. Further information and detailed explanations can be found in the accompanying text.
We wish you a lot of fun when observing!
May
03.03. Moon meets Antares
On March 3rd, amateur astronomers can witness an interesting event in the sky: In the early morning hours, just before dawn, you can observe the waning Moon meeting Antares, the reddish bright star in the constellation of Scorpius. The two celestial bodies will be only about 2 degrees apart, which is approximately four times the diameter of the full Moon. Such celestial encounters are not only visually appealing, but also provide an opportunity to understand the motion of the Moon among the “background” of stars.
13.03. Moon meets Jupiter
In the evening of March 13th, skywatchers can experience an impressive meeting of two objects in the night sky: The slender crescent Moon and Jupiter, the largest planet in our Solar System. Both objects will be high in the sky during this evening’s twilight in the constellation of Aries – with Jupiter standing out due to its enormous brightness. The Moon sets at 10:50pm on this day. In March, Jupiter remains visible for a while after sunset, but its setting times become earlier throughout the month.
18.03. Moon meets Pollux
On March 18th the waxing Moon visits the constellation of Gemini and approaches Pollux, the brightest star in this constellation. Despite its brightness, Pollux is called Beta Geminorum, even though “Beta” is usually indicating the second brightest star of a constellation.
22.03. Mercury in the evening
On March 22nd there is a great opportunity to observe Mercury in the evening sky. It reaches its best evening visibility of the year and a few days later, on March 24th, it will be in Eastern elongation to the Sun. If you have never seen Mercury before, this is the perfect time to take a look at the innermost planet of our Solar System. We recommend watching after 7pm, when the Sun has already set more than half an hour earlier.
26.03. Moon meets Spica
On March 26th the Moon meets the star Spica, the brightest star in the constellation of Virgo. This event occurs just one day after the full Moon.
April
01.04. Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks
Amateur astronomers can now take a look at the comet “12P/Pons-Brooks”. Although it is a rare event to spot a bright comet in the sky, this one can already be found with binoculars (and maybe even with the naked eye). It reaches its closest point to the Sun and its greatest brightness on April 21st, but at this time it will only be visible slightly above the horizon. On April 10th there is a nice reunion in the Western sky between the Moon and Jupiter during the early evening hours. Just below these two you will find the comet. If you observe Jupiter on April 13th, simply look 3 degrees lower and vertically towards the horizon. Then you have found the comet.
08.04. Total Solar Eclipse (North America)
On April 8th a total Solar Eclipse will occur over North America. The path of the totality extends across Mexico, the USA, and Canada. The maximum duration of the totality depends on the location and may reach up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds. The eclipse will not be visible in Europe.
10.04. Moon meets Jupiter
On April 10th the delicate crescent Moon joins Jupiter. At twilight we will enjoy a particularly beautiful sight that is certainly worth a photo. Not far from this heavenly meeting the comet “12P/Pons-Brooks” can also be seen above the Western horizon.
18.04. Golden Handle
The “Golden Handle” appears at 83% of the lunar phase, about 10 days after a New Moon, and is a visual phenomenon along the light/shadow terminator of the Moon. It is located in the Bay of Sinus Iridium, a lava-flooded crater surrounded by a mountain range called the Jura Mountains. Due to the height of these mountains, the phenomenon occurs when the rising Sun illuminates the mountain peaks and creates the “Golden Handle”.
21.04. T Coronae Borealis
T Coronae Borealis is a variable star in the constellation of Corona Borealis, located about 2,700 light-years away from us. It usually has a brightness of 10.8 mag, but within a cycle of about 80 years it can become more than 1000 times brighter than a nova. The star can reach up to 2 mag during such an outburst, surpassing even the brightest star Gemma in the Northern Crown. Such events occurred in the years 1866 and 1946 for example. The next outburst could occur in 2024 and become an absolute highlight for us. Let’s wait and see…The astronomical world is definitely calling to watch out for this. Such an observation is quite easily doable for you, as you don’t even need binoculars, because of the star’s brightness.
22.04. Lyrids
During the peak on April 22nd, the meteor shower ‘Lyrids’ offers an impressive number of up to 20 meteors per hour. The best time to observe them is between 10:00pm and 4:00am. However, this year the almost full Moon will interfere. The shower’s source point is located in the constellation of Lyra.
27.04. Moon meets Antares
When you look towards the South in the very early morning hours of April 27th, you will see the constellation of Scorpius rising in the sky. Our Moon will be very close to the bright star Antares today.
May
12.05. Moon meets Pollux
On May 11th and 12th the Moon crosses the constellation of Gemini. The constellation is usually found in the Winter sky and is now noticeably tilting towards the Western horizon. In close proximity to the Moon the bright star Pollux is going to shine brilliantly – a star that is about nine times the size of our Sun.
15.05. Moon meets Regulus
Today the Moon makes contact with the star Regulus in the constellation of Leo. Regulus, known as the “little king”, is the brightest star in this constellation. An interesting fact that we can not notice is that Regulus rotates at a speed of about 317 km/s – so fast that it appears flattened.
19.05. Asteroid Pallas in Opposition
The Asteroid Pallas will be in opposition to the Sun on May 19th. Pallas is one of the largest Asteroids, having a diameter of 510 kilometers. It appears through the telescope as if it were an ordinary star. Therefore we recommend using a star chart. Additionally, it is easier to locate the Asteroid with a GoTo mount.
24.05. Moon meets Antares
Our Moon and the bright star Antares will be visible above the Southeast horizon before midnight. During its ascent in the sky, we can find the full Moon centered in the constellation of Scorpius. Antares shines intensely red and, being a supergiant, has a diameter of 700 times the size of the Sun. If it was placed in the position of our Sun, its sphere would extend beyond the orbit of Mars!
31.05. Moon meets Saturn
Early birds will have the opportunity to observe the meeting of the Moon and Saturn at dusk of May 31st. Assuming a clear sky, this will give us a beautiful start into the day. While beholding the Moon and Saturn you can also discover the planet Mars further to the East.
Infographic: Astro highlights in winter 2023/24
December 1 2023, Marcus Schenk
The Winter of 2023 gives us some exciting astronomical events that should not be missed. Among these is the Geminid meteor shower that is best to behold under a dark sky, good visibility of a dwarf planet, or interesting interactions between the delicate crescent Moon and the planets. Even cold weather cannot stop us from taking a look at the night sky. One thing we know for sure: It will be fantastic!
This infographic shows you astronomical events for the upcoming months of December, January and February.
You will find accompanying texts below the graphic. Enjoy the observations!
Events in December 2023:
December 9: Moon meets Venus
On December 9 there will be a meeting between the Moon and the bright Venus. This encounter takes place in the early morning hours before sunrise. Both celestial bodies are visible on a horizontal plane. The Moon appears as a thin crescent disk, illuminated only by 14%.
December 14: Geminids
A beautiful astronomical event this month is the Geminid meteor shower. It is a meteor stream that can be seen in the night sky every December. The Geminids are named after the constellation Gemini, from which they appear to come. This year the peak of the meteor shower is expected to be reached in the night of December 13-14, so right in the middle of the month.
December 17: Moon meets Saturn
The thin, but growing Moon meets the planet Saturn on the night of December 17. Compared to its opposition in August 2023, its apparent diameter is much smaller, measuring only 16 arcseconds. Nevertheless, observing it through a telescope is always an impressive experience, especially for beginners. The ringed planet is hard to be missed in its splendor, even though being outside of its best observation period.
December 21: Vesta in opposition
Dwarf planets lead an inconspicious “life”, as they usually stand in the shadow of their larger and more radiant siblings, the planets. Nevertheless, they belong to the extended family of the Solar System. Their observation may not be as spectacular, but on December 21 there is an interesting exception: The dwarf planet Vesta is in opposition and reaches a brightness of 6.4 mag. You can easily find Vesta with binoculars in the Orion region. It is important to use a star chart for this beautiful astronomical event, so that you don’t mistake Vesta for a star.
December 22: Moon meets Jupiter
Tonight the Moon approaches the planet Jupiter and passes by at a distance of only 2.5 degrees. Throughout the night both celestial bodies move away from each other. Therefore, we recommend starting the observation at the beginning of dawn.
Events in January 2024:
January 3: Quadrantids
Not only August offers meteor streams, also January has impressive astronomical events to see. The “Quadrantids” are a meteor shower that appears to come from the constellation of Bootes. In the night of January 3 it reaches its maximum and theoretically you can see up to 120 meteors per hour. However, this is a theoretical value that is significantly smaller in practice. Nevertheless, this astro event is a wonderful experience.
January 5: Moon meets Spica
In January the Winter constellations dominate the sky and shine brightly above our heads. The star Spica reminds us more of Spring, but that is still a while away. Therefore, we have to wait a few more hours, because Spica and the crescent Moon only appear in the middle of the second half of the night above the horizon.
January 9: Moon meets Venus and Mercury
Clear sky and a visible horizon? Then take advantage of the dawn for a quick observation or a mood photo. In the Southeast the two inner planets Mercury and Venus are united with the thin crescent Moon. With or even without any equipment, every stargazer should take advantage of this opportunity.
January 14: Moon meets Saturn
A 3.5-day-old crescent Moon and a clear horizon – always a beautiful sight. But what do we discover nearby? Saturn. The ringed planet is about 3 degrees westward and shines with a brightness comparable to the brightest stars in the sky. How about an observation session of the world of Deep-Sky objects after the Moon has set? The weekend is definitely a good time for that.
January 18: Moon meets Jupiter
The path called the Ecliptic takes the Moon past the planet Jupiter, the brightest celestial body in the current sky, surpassed only by the Moon. Both objects are currently located in Aries. The constellation is rather inconspicious, as it consists of only four rather faint stars.
January 20: Moon meets Pleiades
A few days after the Half-Moon, the Moon meets the Pleiades – the famous Seven Sisters. They have always played an important role in antiquity and in mythology. It is the most prominent open star cluster that we can perceive with the naked eye. It consists of several hundred up to 1000 stars and is located at a distance of about 400 light-years. On photos the Pleiades are surrounded by blueish reflection nebulae, which give them a particularly aesthetic appearance.
January 27: Moon meets Regulus
On January 27 the Moon meets the star Regulus in the constellation of Leo. Regulus is a star with a fast self-rotation of over 300 km/s, which is why it has a flattened shape. Furthermore, it is a multiple system consisting of four components. Due to its position in the Ecliptic, it repeatedly happens that it is occulted by the Moon.
Events in February 2024:
February 1: Moon meets Spica
On the first day of February the Moon meets the star Spica. The star is one of the 20 brightest ones in the entire night sky and shines about 2000 times brighter than our Sun. Unlike our home star, Spica is relatively young – with an age of only 10 million years. Well, that just shows that age is relative.
February 7: Moon meets Venus
Shortly before sunrise we can observe an impressively beautiful constellation that almost takes place in the daytime sky. Early in the morning the Moon and the bright Venus meet. Our neighboring planet is now retreating from the morning sky after having faithfully accompanied us every morning for months. In the coming months it will be in conjunction with the Sun and will not re-appear before the evening sky in September.
February 15: Moon meets Jupiter
In the evening hours Jupiter and the Moon shine above our heads. As they are the brightest objects in the sky, the event immediately catches our attention. Both disappear below the Western horizon around midnight.
February 16: Moon meets Pleiades
On February 16 the Moon joins the Pleiades and crosses the Golden Gate of the Ecliptic on its further path. The Golden Gate is not an object, but an asterism in the sky.
Infographic: Astronomy Highlights of Autumn 2023
August 31 2023, Marcus Schenk
Discover exciting celestial events in autumn 2023. Here are the highlights that are worth observing.
There are some really thrilling celestial events awaiting us in autumn 2023 that we really should not miss. From the best morning visibility of the planet Mercury, to a partial lunar eclipse, to the occultation of gleaming Venus by our Moon. Once again, the next three months have plenty of excitement in store. This infographic shows you all the highlights of the coming months of September, October, and November, and the text below the graphic gives you more details. I wish you lots of observing fun.
SEPTEMBER
01/09 The Aurigids
During the night of 1 September, hobby astronomers can observe a special celestial event in the night sky: the Aurigids. This is an impressive meteor shower that appears to originate from the constellation of Auriga. The Aurigids are known for their bright and fast meteors, which travel at up to 65 kilometres per second. It is worth for us all to get up early or stay awake late, so no one misses this impressive event in the night sky!
04/09 Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
We are presented with another highlight on 4 September: the Moon and the gas giant Jupiter meet in the night sky. These two celestial bodies appear above the eastern horizon in the late evening. They climb higher over the course of the night, and will remain until the morning hours, eventually fading in the splendour of the new morning.
05/09 The Moon at the Golden Gate of the Ecliptic
On 5 September the Moon crosses the Golden Gate of the Ecliptic. This phenomenon is a must-see for all celestial observers and offers a wonderful opportunity for observing with the naked eye.
The Golden Gate is neither an object nor a celestial event in itself, but an asterism in the constellation of Taurus. Its luminous pillars are formed by the open clusters Hyades and Pleiades.
The ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun, runs along this gateway, through which our Moon and the planets appear to pass.
18/09 Venus at its brightest
Venus is at its brightest on 18 September. The evening star shines especially bright with a magnitude of -4.7, and can be seen to the east in the early morning hours. Venus appears almost like a spotlight because it is so bright, and we can still see it in the sky for some time – even as dawn begins to break.
19/09 Neptune at opposition
Neptune is at opposition to the Sun on 19 September, making it visible all night long. Hobby astronomers can observe the gas planet with a telescope, it appears small but intense in colour.
22/09 Mercury visible in the morning
Keep an eye out if you are an early riser! Mercury offers the best morning visibility of the year on 22 September. Back in January, the planet was hard to observe in the morning, but now we have a better chance. Shortly before sunrise, at around 05:50 CEST, the small planet is easily visible in the east, just above the horizon. Mercury is located in the constellation of Leo, so starting from the star Regulus, you can orient yourself around 10 degrees in a north-east direction.
26/09 Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon joins the ringed planet Saturn on the evening of 26 September. This meeting offers a picturesque sight, and a highlight for all celestial observers.
OKTOBER
1/10 Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
The paths of the Moon and Jupiter intersect once again. On 1 October we can marvel at this impressive event in the evening sky.
9/10 The Draconids
The Draconids shooting stars reach their peak on 9 October. This meteor shower originates from the constellation of Draco, which is located in a northerly direction above the Big Dipper. The number of shooting stars often varies from year to year. So, it is worth keep an eye out for them on different days at different times.
10/10 Conjunction of the Moon and Venus
Four days before the new Moon we can admire Venus and our Moon together in the morning sky. The two celestial bodies shine with a wonderful lustre above and below the star Regulus in Leo. An almost magical sight for every stargazer.
22/10 The Orionids
Meteor showers are lovely events for every avid star-gazer, the Orionids are no exception. They peak on 22 October and promise around 25 to 30 meteors per hour. However, the number of shooting stars often varies from year to year. To catch the best view of them, set your alarm clock and take a look outside in the early hours of the morning. A must for all shooting star fans.
24/10 Golden Handle on the Moon
On 24 October the Moon shows its most beautiful side: the Golden Handle is visible.
The flat light near the lunar terminator creates a breathtaking play of shadows and light. The Golden Handle is especially beautiful. For several hours, the peaks of Monte Jura are illuminated by the rays of the Sun, while the small Sinus Iridum valley is still in the shade. A veritable feast for the eyes that displays the Moon’s beauty in all its splendour.
28/10 Partial lunar eclipse
A special celestial event awaits us on the evening of 28 October: a partial lunar eclipse. The Moon moves into the Earth’s umbra at 21:35 CEST. However, the eclipse magnitude is quite low at only 12.7%. Nevertheless, the eclipse offers a beautiful, unmissable experience in the early evening. So, keep an eye out for this fascinating spectacle in the night sky!
More about the formation of lunar eclipses can be found in our magazine article “How does a lunar eclipse occur?”
NOVEMBER
03/11 Jupiter at opposition
Jupiter is at opposition to the Sun on 3 November. The gas giant is visible all night long and reveals itself in all its glory. This is a special event for all stargazers and hobby astronomers that you should not miss. Of course, you can also observe the gas giant in the coming weeks – not just today. But the planet appears much larger and it shines particularly brightly when it is at opposition. You can see the characteristic dark stripes on Jupiter’s surface with a telescope, along with its four largest moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
09/11 The Moon occults Venus
A special event awaits us on the morning of 9 November at 10:55 CEST: an occultation of Venus by the Moon. This is a very rare and impressive spectacle that is definitely not to be missed. It is the astronomical highlight of 2023 for advanced hobby astronomers. In order to observe this occultation, focus your telescope on the illuminated sickle Moon at around 10:50. The Moon will occult Venus from its bright side. The whole spectacle lasts around 80 minutes.
13/11 Uranus at opposition
Uranus is at opposition to the Sun on 13 November. The distant planet is visible all night so it is a great opportunity to observe it with your telescope. Despite its tiny size of 3.8 arcseconds, when you look for it with your telescope you will be able to distinguish it from a star because its surface looks wide and not point-shaped. In addition, its greenish colour is easily recognisable.
17/11 The Leonids
On the night from 16 to 17 November it is once again time – the Leonids reach their annual maximum and ensure a beautiful celestial event. Together with the Perseids, they are among the most well-known shooting stars that can be observed annually from Earth. There are even some years when the meteors fall from the sky in such abundance that it is almost like a rain shower. This spectacle is repeated every 33 years when the Earth comes into contact with the Leonids’ trail. But they will produce up to 20 meteors per hour even in normal years, which is an unmissable experience.
20/11 Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon joins the ringed planet Saturn once again on the evening of 20 November. It is a fascinating sight that will accompany us in the evening sky.
25/11 Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
At the end of the month, on 25 November, we have another chance to marvel at an encounter between the Moon and Jupiter in the night sky.
A nature drama: the story of our kestrels
June 7 2023, Marcus Schenk
This story is about the kestrels at our company headquarters, the Kreutzer family from the LBV (the regional organisation for the protection of birds), and Andrea Skorpil, who raises orphan birds in our region on a voluntary basis.
You probably already know that we sell binoculars and other optics to observe the wonderful natural world that is all around us. But we are also enthusiastic nature watchers ourselves. That’s why a falcon nesting box hangs high up on one of our warehouse buildings.
We have been looking forward to the annual arrival of “our” kestrels for many years now. We watch how they move into their new homes, how they busily search for food, and how they raise their young. Their watchful eyes, their grey shimmering heads, and their brownish plume of feathers – our colleagues continually find themselves pausing during their working day to marvel at these graceful birds. We also observe them with our binoculars.
Somehow the kestrels simply belong to us. And we are happy every year when the young birds go, or rather fly, their own way.
But this year, everything was different. Here you can read about the dramatic experiences of our falcon family, which has really touched us all.
A normal day?
Actually, it had been a completely normal day, that is until we noticed a hissing sound coming from in front of one of the warehouse buildings. We kept on working. But what was going on? One of the kestrels was jumping up and down between the pallets, spreading its wings, trying desperately to fly, but somehow it could not get airborne. After several unsuccessful attempts, he gave up and took himself to a quiet corner. He did not back away, even as we got closer, instead papa kestrel looked at us with his large black eyes.
Our colleague, who always has his binoculars to hand, could see that something was not quite right with him, and immediately called the Landesbund für Vogelschutz (LBV), the regional organisation for the protection of birds, which has a local group here in Landsberg. There, dedicated bird lovers volunteer for nature conservation projects.
After a short time, the Kreutzer family from the LBV appeared and, working together, we managed to catch the exhausted bird. Mr and Mrs Kreutzer took him to the vet, but the diagnosis was grim: his wings were fine, but a piece of his beak was missing and he had been blinded in one eye. Papa kestrel had probably flown into a window pane or something similar. After leaving the vet, his journey took him to a falconer, who housed him in an aviary. We all hoped that when he was healthy again, he would be able to return to his little family.
The cries of the young chicks
In the meantime, mama kestrel struggled to rear her four chicks. She bravely hunted for food for their hungry mouths. She was constantly on the move which was a mammoth task since her partner was missing.
A few days later we heard the cries of the young birds but all was strangely quiet. Again, something was clearly not quite right. But what had happened? Another call to the Kreutzer family brought the sad truth to light. Mama kestrel had probably realised that she could not raise the brood alone and she had left the nest.
This information was immediately followed by the next round of sad news: papa kestrel had not made it – he had probably died of internal bleeding. We were all very upset – and the abandoned orphans were sitting alone in their nest.
Ensuring that all was well with the baby birds
Once more, the birds needed our help. Our warehouse team used their technology (their forklift truck) to help the Kreutzer family get closer to the box, which was at a dizzy height, in order to save the baby birds. They brought them to Andrea Skorpil, who is known in our region for her voluntary work with baby animals, especially baby birds. They would find their new home with her. Unfortunately, one of the brood died the same evening. It had become too weak after several days without food.
The other baby birds are healthy and are being lovingly cared for by Andrea Skorpil until they are big and strong. Then they will be released into the wild.
A donation for the bird carer
Bird care costs money, and Andrea Skorpil works on a voluntary basis and finances her work from her own pocket. That is why we have collected private donations from our company’s employees. The management contributed by matching the donations already collected, and we handed the money over to Andrea Skorpil, who has set up an emergency telephone hotline in the region.
By the way: the devoted bird expert and artist runs her own YouTube channel “Bird and Livestock” for wild bird care and an Instagram channel. Are you interested in the topic? We would then be delighted if you followed her channels, thereby supporting Mrs Skorpil’s work.
The story of the kestrel family is a dramatic example of the challenges faced by nature on a daily basis. We are all looking forward to the day when our baby falcons will fly away, and we continue to follow their progress with excitement.
Infographic: Astronomy Highlights of Summer 2023
May 31 2023, Marcus Schenk
Observing in summer! This means warm temperatures, but also some interesting constellations and the visible part of the Milky Way. In this infographic you will find all the important astronomical events in the summer of 2023 that you really should not miss. How about Saturn at opposition, or the Perseids shooting stars which we can enjoy this year without any interference by the Moon?
Whether you are an experienced amateur astronomer or a complete beginner to the field of astronomy: the astronomy events in our infographic offer something for everyone.
We wish you lots of observing fun!
02/06 Mars near M44
There is an interesting encounter in the evening sky at the moment: Mars, the Red Planet, can be found close to the M44 cluster, and the pair offers a beautiful view. The constellation is easy to see, especially at dusk close to the western horizon. But it is not only Mars that is attracting attention: at a distance of around 10 degrees, Venus is also close by.
09/06 Conjunction between the Moon and Saturn
A very special performance is awaiting us in the sky this morning: the Moon and Saturn meet in the constellation of Aquarius and provide us with an impressive sight. Jupiter can also be seen nearby which rounds off the spectacle perfectly.
13/06 Venus near M44
On 13 June, Venus will be in close proximity to the open cluster M44, which is also known as the Beehive Cluster. It’s great when you can combine such an astronomical event with some deep sky observation.
14/06 Conjunction between the Moon and Jupiter
On 14 June, just four days after its meeting with Saturn, the Moon will be spending some time with the planet Jupiter. This beautiful dawn sight is worth getting up early for, because the Moon appears as a delicate sickle and will soon reach its new Moon phase.
21.06 Beginning of summer
Summer begins with the summer solstice on 21 June. In the northern hemisphere this means that the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky. We cannot actually observe this astronomical event, but we are now experiencing the longest days and the shortest nights.
21/ 22.06 Conjunction between Venus and Mars
21 June is a day that you should be certain to make a note of in advance. This evening, above the western horizon, Venus and Mars meet up with the narrow crescent Moon. This trio is especially impressive when it is not yet completely dark, and we can also enjoy the twilight sky.
27.06 June Bootids
From 23 to 28 June you can observe the June Bootids meteor shower. These shooting stars radiate from a point in the constellation of Boötes and fizzle comparatively slowly across the sky. The number of meteors is small but also variable. This means that it is particularly interesting to take a closer look.
01.07 Conjunction between Venus and Mars
Our two neighbouring planets, Venus and Mars, meet on 1 July. These two celestial bodies differ greatly in brightness, which makes them especially interesting to observe. You should not miss this opportunity if you are a big Mars fan, because the Red Planet will disappear from the celestial stage this month, and remain invisible for the rest of the year.
07.07 Conjunction between the Moon and Saturn
The Moon and Saturn rise above the horizon at the beginning of the second half of the night, and accompany us through till sunrise. Both celestial bodies can be found in the constellation of Aquarius.
09.07 Venus at its brightest
Venus reaches its maximum brightness on 9 July, and looks almost like a spotlight in the sky – an impressive spectacle for amateur astronomers.
12.07 Conjunction between the Moon and Jupiter
Jupiter rises on 12 July at 01:23, and reveals itself beside a slim, waning crescent Moon.
20.07 Conjunction between the Moon, Venus, and Mars
Another fascinating event awaits us in the night sky on 20 July. The wafer-thin crescent Moon approaches Venus and, together with Mars, forms an attractive group of three. However, you will need an uninterrupted view towards the horizon to successfully observe this. If you want to enjoy this sight or even take pictures, you should find a good spot as early as possible. A tip for the professionals: the planet Mercury is also located around 10 degrees west of Venus.
22.07 Pluto at opposition
An astronomical event for more advanced astronomers: Pluto, the dwarf planet former classified as a planet, is at opposition to the Sun on 22 July. With a brightness of magnitude 14, you can only detect and observe it with a large telescope. A location map is advisable! Astrophotographers can take advantage of a good photo opportunity since Pluto is close the M75 cluster.
27.07 Golden Handle
We can see the Golden Handle on the Moon on the evening of 27 July. It appears when the waxing Moon is exactly 83 percent illuminated, which happens around 10 days after the new Moon. As the light phenomenon takes place, a handle shape emerges on the dark side of the Moon’s terminator.
30.07 Delta Aquariids
The Delta Aquariids is a meteor shower that originates from the region of the constellation Aquarius, and is visible from 23 to 28 July. We will be able to marvel at up to 25 shooting stars per hour! The optimal observing window is in the early hours of the morning, after the Moon has set.
03.08 Conjunction between the Moon and Saturn
An interesting encounter: the Moon nears the planet Saturn. The ringed planet will reach its opposition to the Sun this month and is therefore an especially good target to observe.
08.08 Conjunction between the Moon and Jupiter
In the early morning hours, we can enjoy the autumn and the first winter constellations in the night sky. Our largest planet, Jupiter, is to be found right in the middle of them. On the 8th of the month, the Moon approaches the gas giant and they make an arresting pair in the night sky.
12-13.08 Perseids
A view of the Perseids is the top astronomy event not just for astronomers, but also for anyone who is interested in the night sky. An especially large number of meteors fall from the sky over the course of an evening, and everyone can enjoy guessing which direction the next light trail will appear from. It’s finally time to see them again during the night from 12 to 13 August. Grab a blanket or a lounger and something warm to drink, and enjoy the starry sky. If you’re lucky, you’ll see up to 100 meteors per hour this evening. This year there is an added plus: it is almost new Moon, so the night is particularly dark.
27.08 Saturn at opposition
The ringed planet Saturn is at opposition to the Sun on 27 August and can be observed all night long – an absolute highlight for any amateur astronomer.
30.08 Conjunction between the Moon and Saturn
In the night from 30 to 31 of the month, the Moon and Saturn meet at a distance of around 3 degrees. Despite the full Moon, it is always worth observing Saturn.
Infographic: Astronomy Highlights in Spring 2023
March 1 2023, Marcus Schenk
Spring is a great time to take a look at the stars: it’s getting warmer, and the weather in Central Europe is better. And, as always, there are plenty of interesting celestial events to see: a minor planet at opposition, the only time the planet Mercury is visible in the evening, and some beautiful conjunctions between planets and the Moon. In this infographic you’ll learn about the top astronomical events in the night sky during the spring of 2023. There’s no better reason to get outdoors again with your binoculars or telescope.
Events in March
01/03 Conjunction between Venus and Jupiter
On 1 March, you can observe a very special astronomical event: at dusk, Venus and Jupiter draw closer to one another, until they are around a half a degree apart. This is approximately the same distance as the diameter of a full Moon. The encounter is a rare opportunity to marvel at these two bright celestial bodies in the evening sky.
10/3 Ceres near M91
Today Ceres intersects the bright spiral galaxy known as M91, thereby offering us the rare opportunity to admire both the minor planet and the galaxy simultaneously with our telescope. Ceres is the largest object in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
The planet has a diameter of around 950km which is about the length of Spain. Ceres was considered to be a planet following its discovery in around 1801, and it was only later re-defined as a minor planet. Ceres thus faced a very similar fate in its classification as Pluto did in 2006.
A closer inspection by the Dawn Spacecraft discovered many craters, most of which are only small. Water vapour was even discovered there in 2015, and further research suggested that there may be liquid water under the surface. So, we can say with certainty: it’s a very interesting celestial body! Use your telescope to enjoy the rare sight of Ceres and M91 together!
14/03 Conjunction between the Moon and Antares
Today is a good day for early risers: the Moon nears Antares, the brightest star in the constellation of Scorpio, at a distance of just 1.5 degrees. You can only observe and enjoy the meeting of these two in the morning hours. So, maybe on your way to work?
21/03 Ceres at opposition
Have you ever observed a minor planet? Ceres, which was discovered in 1801, is the largest object in the asteroid belt. It’s at opposition now, and its brightness reaches a magnitude of 7. You can locate it with small telescopes and, theoretically, even with binoculars. Have fun!
24/03 Conjunction between the Moon and Venus
The delicate sickle Moon rises above the western horizon, serving as the perfect complement to gleaming Venus. With a brightness of magnitude 4, Venus is a wonderful sight at dusk and will entice you outside to look at the stars tonight. Less than 3 degrees separate these two celestial bodies, which guarantees a particularly beautiful sight. It’s always an impressive natural wonder when the Moon meets Venus, especially if you’re planning to capture it with your camera.
25/03 Conjunction between Ceres and M100
Make a note of date: the minor planet Ceres crosses another deep sky object! Its path takes it past the breath-taking galaxy M100 in the constellation of Coma Berenices. Using a finderscope, you can locate it above Denebola, the star that marks the tail of the constellation of Leo.
28/03 Conjunction between the Moon and Mars
Tonight, the Moon and the planet Mars can be found very close together. Observing these two celestial bodies framed by the stars of the Winter Hexagon is a truly impressive sight.
Events in April
03/04 Mercury in the evening sky
Mercury is a nimble planet as its orbit is located close the Sun. This usually makes it difficult to observe, because it only rarely escapes the brightness of our central star. The only evening visibility this year occurs in April: Mercury reveals itself a few degrees above the western horizon between 3 and 15 April.
10/04 Conjunction between the Moon and Antares
Tonight, the Moon is in the constellation of Scorpio and nears the bright supergiant star Antares. This occasion takes place in the morning hours. But a further event awaits us: the occultation of the magnitude 3 star by our Moon. At 04:52, the bright side of our satellite moves towards the star and occults it for around an hour. We will not be able to see the star’s reappearance on the other side of the Moon, as, by this time, it will already be daylight.
16/04 Conjunction between the Moon and Saturn
Keep an eye out if you’re an early riser: this morning we are greeted by the waning crescent Moon and the planet Saturn above the eastern horizon. You’ll need to choose a place with a good view of the horizon to observe this.
22/04 Conjunction between the Moon and Venus
Tonight, we can observe a really special spectacle: a conjunction between the Moon and Venus. The Moon is just 2.5 days old, so we only see a slender sickle form. Venus, on the other hand, shines brightly at more than magnitude 4, so it appears especially bright in the evening sky.
22/04 The Lyrids
On 22 April, at its maximum, the Lyrid meteor shower produces up to 20 meteors per hour. The meteors can be observed undisturbed by moonlight during the best observation time which is between 22:00 and 04:00 next morning. Their point of origin, also known as the radiant, is located in the constellation of Lyra.
25/04 Conjunction between the Moon and Mars
Today, the Moon and Mars can be seen in the constellation of Gemini. This is a rare sight not to be missed.
Events in May
13/05 Conjunction between the Moon and Saturn
This morning the Moon nears the planet Saturn. Such a lovely sight is certain to get us motivated for the day ahead.
23/05 Conjunction between the Moon and Venus
Venus – almost as bright as a spotlight in the night sky – together with the slender crescent Moon. This is exactly what you will see if you look up at the sky this evening. What’s more: a little higher you’ll find Mars too. When compared to its two colleagues, it seems to be really dimly lit.
24/05 Conjunction between the Moon and Mars
Whereas the Moon visited Venus yesterday, today it is calling on the planet Mars.
26/05 Conjunction between the Moon and Regulus
If you have been observing the Moon in recent days, you will have noticed how quickly it moves against the background of stars. Today it meets Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation of Leo. The name Regulus comes from Latin and means ‘little king’.
31/05 Conjunction between the Moon and Spica
Today, the Moon meets the brightest star in the constellation of Virgo: Spica. We owe this coincidence to the path of the ecliptic, which repeatedly leads the Moon into the vicinity of this star. The best observation time starts in the late twilight, because Virgo will disappear below the horizon in the second half of the night.
Comet ZTF visible in January
January 12 2023, Bernd Gährken
The discovery of dark matter is one of the greatest astronomical achievements of the last 100 years. Fritz Zwicky was the first to research this phenomenon. He recognised that gravity produced by unknown particles was a dominant force in our universe and that the majority of the matter in our universe is not visible. He was never awarded a Nobel Prize for dark matter as he died in 1974. But the significance of his discovery is clear today.
Zwicky’s domain was Mount Palomar. A new camera system there has been named after him. It was developed to detect transient objects with rapidly changing magnitudes, such as supernovae, gamma ray bursts, neutron star collisions, and moving objects like comets and asteroids.
In March 2022, the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) detected a new comet, which is able to cross over to being visible with the naked eye at the beginning of 2023. It will not be a bright object when seen with the naked eye, however it should already be clearly visible with binoculars or a telescope by the end of December.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will reach its maximum magnitude of 5 mag and will then be visible in the sky near the Polaris for a few days. A dark sky is important for observation, a moonless night preferably. The Moon is waxing at this time and the full moon is on 5th February. The comet is circumpolar and visible for the entire night. However, the waxing Moon means that the moonless early morning hours will be ideally suited to observation. Finder charts can be found at:
https://cometchasing.skyhound.com/
It is 2 years since the last comets were visible from the UK. In summer 2020, comet NEOWISE adorned the sky. A comparable spectacle should not be expected for ZTF. But comets are unpredictable. Even NEOWISE was predicted to be much fainter than it was.
Astronomy Highlights in Winter 2022/2023
November 30 2022, Marcus Schenk
Mars at opposition, two planetary occultations by the Moon, the Geminids and beautiful triangular arrangements between the Moon and the planets. This winter, there are many reasons to look towards the stars. And you should join in!
In the “Astronomy Highlights in Winter 2022/23” infographic, you can find important celestial events for the next three months. Have fun observing!
December
02/12 Conjunction between the Moon and Jupiter
When darkness is upon us, we can gaze at the Moon and Jupiter on the south-eastern horizon. The gas giant will be blazing with an intensity of -2.5 magnitudes.
05/12 The Moon occults Uranus
The Moon and the planets travel along an imaginary line known as the ecliptic. This is the plane along which the planets and the Sun appear to move. Every now and then, the Moon occults one of the planets. And that time has come once again, as the dark side of the Moon approaches and occults Uranus at 5:34pm.
07/12 Conjunction between the Moon and Plejades
In the early hours of 7 December, the almost-full moon reaches the Golden Gate of the Ecliptic, which is flanked by the famous Hyades and Pleiades star clusters.
08/12 The Moon occults Mars/Opposition
Mars is at opposition to the Sun today and is shining particularly bright and looks magnificent through a telescope. During this year’s opposition, the planet reaches a diameter of 17 arc seconds and a height of 66 degrees above the horizon from central Europe. And today is also a double event as, in the early hours of 8 December, at around 6am, our Moon occults the Red Planet.
14/12 Geminids
If the skies are clear in the evening, look towards the south. You will see the Geminids meteors emerging from the constellation of Gemini. Or more precisely, from a spot two degrees above the star, Pollux. With 120 meteors per hour, this shower is one of the events with the highest fall rates. In the early evening, up to 10pm, you can view it undisturbed by the Moon, as this is when our satellite appears over the horizon.
Lunar phases:
08/12 Full moon, 16/12 Waning quarter, 23/12 New moon, 30/12 Waxing quarter
January
01/01 Conjunction between the Moon and Uranus
Over and over, encounters or occultation between the Moon and planets take place along the path of the ecliptic. At the start of the new year, the Moon scrapes past Uranus at a distance of only half a degree.
03/01 Conjunction between Moon and Mars
Two bodies are competing for brightness today… the Moon and Mars. Both appear in the eastern skies when darkness falls. The Moon passes eastward beneath Mars.
03/01 Quadrantids
The next meteors are on their way to us – the Quadrantids. This meteor shower originates in the constellation of Bootes. The meteors shoot across the sky at a maximum rate of 120 per hour. The Moon only leaves our field of vision in the early hours of the morning.
16/01 Pallas at opposition
With a diameter of 588 kilometres, the asteroid Pallas is the second largest in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. During its opposition, it is so bright that we can easily see it with a small telescope and, theoretically, even with binoculars. To tell it apart from the stars, you should use a star chart whilst observing.
22/01 Conjunction between Saturn and Venus
A good view of the horizon is essential for this event. During twilight, the stunningly bright Venus outshines the considerably weaker, but still bright, Saturn above the western horizon. From 5:30pm, we have an hour-long opportunity to follow this celestial pair, both of which become weaker and then disappear into the haze.
23/01 The Moon near Venus and Saturn
An attractive event for all who are interested… Today a slim crescent moon joins the planets Venus and Saturn. Together, they are a dream team for a wonderful twilight photo.
30/01 Conjunction between the Moon and Mars
This evening, the Moon visits the Red Planet. During the night, our satellite draws nearer until both objects are around one degree apart in the morning hours.
Lunar phases:
07/01 Full moon, 15/01 Waning quarter, 21/01 New moon, 28/01 Waxing quarter
February
15/02 Conjunction between Venus and Neptune
Venus and Neptune come to within 0.25 degrees of each other – a very close encounter between two very different planets. Whilst Venus beams like a floodlight, Neptune shines 50,000 times less bright.
22/02 Conjunction between Venus and Jupiter
This evening, the crescent moon appears with two planets. A beautiful view which you should not miss.
27/02 Conjunction between the Moon and Mars
This evening, Mars and the Moon can both be found in the constellation Taurus.
Lunar phases:
05/02 Full moon, 13/02 Waning quarter, 20/02 New moon, 27/02 Waxing quarter