Downton Sky At Night

Over the summer, there is still a lot of solar activity with many sunspots speckled across the Sun’s surface, so it is worth keeping a look out for displays of the Northern Lights.

Solar observations by amateur astronomers, counting and following sunspots, are a valuable source of scientific information for professionals.  The sun can be studied safely by projecting its image onto white card (for detailed instructions visit popastro.com). Get in touch with Michael if you would like to get involved in this citizen science project.

June’s full moon (known as a “Strawberry Moon”) is on Wednesday 11th. This year, the full moon will be at its lowest for 19 years - and is called a “standstill moon” - sometimes referred to as a lover's moon. On Sunday 22nd, the waning crescent moon will be found near to the rising planet Venus in the west. Venus is particularly bright this month, rising at around 3 am.

Mercury may be glimpsed using binoculars during the last few days of June very low in the north-west after sunset. It sets around 11 pm.  On 27 June it will be found to the lower right of a very thin waxing crescent Moon. Mars is still lingering in the evening sky although quite difficult to see. On the night of Tuesday 17 June, it passes very close to the first magnitude star Regulus and will make an amazing sight – blue-white Regulus contrasting with the salmon pink colour of the planet.Other planets are difficult to see now, needing a telescope or binoculars.

June is a good time to observe the Milky Way. Sweeping along its line with binoculars will reveal a myriad of stars - far too many to count: a beautiful and awe-inspiring sight.

More information from mootastro@yahoo.com. or follow Michael on Facebook at Moot Halt Observatory