“If the Earth had no atmosphere, life would be much easier for astronomers – as long as they didn’t need to breathe. “
Beginners Astronomy: Atmospheric Refraction
Solstices and Sighthill
“this year the summer solstice is bang on its ‘usual’ date, June 21st. “
Astronomy for Beginners: Venus
Although it can be seen in daylight if you know exactly where to look, Venus is the morning and evening star, generally seen in twilight and hardly ever against a truly black sky.
Astronomy Beginner’s Guide: Mercury
Find out more about the planet Mercury from our guide by Duncan Lunan
The Sky Above You – June 2021
“The Moon will be New on June 10th, at its furthest from the Earth, and there will be an annular solar eclipse”
Astronomy Beginners Guide: Ancient Constellations
“The patterns imposed on the stars by man – the constellation figures – are now standardised in use by astronomers all over the world. “
Astronomy Beginners Guide: How to Find the Constellations (May)
“Our map which accompanies the guide to the planets each month is drawn for 9 pm (21:00 hours) in mid-month, in Greenwich Mean Time, nowadays called Universal Time, so in summer the map is accurate for 20:00 hrs BST in the middle of the month, half an hour earlier at the beginning of the month and half an hour later at the end”
Astronomy Beginner’s Guide: Using a Small Telescope
“Most of the great discoveries of astronomy, by Galileo and his successors, were made using telescopes which were very small by modern standards”
Astronomy Beginners Guide 7 – Choosing a Telescope.
“Everyone interested in astronomy will consider buying a telescope at some point, and will ask ‘What type of telescope should I buy?”
Astronomy for Beginners 6: Lunar Eclipses
Nobody has seen a lunar eclipse from a lunar viewpoint, though artists have been fascinated by the prospect for a long time.
