A monthly look at astronomical events in the sky and on Earth
Compiled and written by Steve Sawyer

Welcome to Mays edition of What’s Up

Welcome to May’s “What’s Up”, we’re now in the final month of Spring and the night skies are becoming ever brighter making the nights shorter. Grab these warmer, clear evenings and nights (hopefully) before true astronomical darkness ends in early May.

This month we can look forward to the Eta Aquarid meteor shower that peaks in early May. This month is also a great time to view the bright Milky Way before the lighter summer nights hide it from view.

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This Month’s York Astro Presentations

Upcoming events to put in your diary:

Date	Title	Speaker
01/05/2026	Galaxies: Citizens of the Universe	Dave Armeson
15/05/2026	Life and Times of the Amateur Astronomy Centre	Andy Sieroslawski

For further details see the events page Astronomy Presentations by guest speakers | York Astro and our Facebook group (20+) The York Astronomical Society Chat Group | Facebook.

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So what’s on this month?

Southern Sky

Looking south, the early summer constellations are taking over. The constellation of Virgo, home to the brilliant blue-white star Spica, lies due south. Above it sits Boötes, marked by the blazing orange star Arcturus. As Orion finally sinks in the west, Scorpius begins to rise in the southeast, bringing the red supergiant Antares into view.

NORTHERN SKY

As May nights deepen, the great “W” of Cassiopeia sinks low over the northern horizon. The southern portions of Perseus and Auriga are becoming difficult to observe, though bright Capella still clears the horizon. High overhead, the familiar shape of the Plough (in Ursa Major) is close to the zenith. The winding, cosmic dragon of Draco writhes perfectly between the two bears (Ursa Major and Ursa Minor) in the northern sky.

May 2026 Calendar

Date	Time (UT)	Event	Details
May 01	17:23	Full Moon	The first of two Full Moons this month!
May 03/04	Night	Moon & Antares	The Moon glides just below Antares
May 06	AM	Eta Aquariid Meteors	Peak of the shower (Moonlight interference)
May 09	21:10	Last Quarter Moon
May 14	04:15	Saturn Appears	Saturn reappears in the morning sky, to the lower right of the Moon
May 16	20:01	New Moon	Darkest skies of the month
May 18	Evening	Venus & Moon	The crescent Moon pairs beautifully with Venus in the NW after sunset
May 19	Evening	Venus, Jupiter & Moon	The Moon lies exactly between Jupiter (left) and Venus (lower right)
May 20	Evening	Jupiter & Moon	Jupiter sits just below the crescent Moon
May 23	11:11	First Quarter Moon
May 23	06:41	Moon & Regulus	Regulus sits less than a tenth of a degree from the Moon
May 27	14:09	Moon & Spica	Spica 1.9°N of the Moon
May 31	08:45	Full Moon (Blue Moon)	The second Full Moon of the month

This table captures the astronomical events for April, including phases of the moon, planetary alignments, and other notable occurrences.

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SKY MAPS

Looking South on the 15th at 23:00

Looking North on the 15th at 23:00

The two charts above show all DSOs of magnitude 6.0 or brighter. They are both taken from
SkyViewCafe.com and correct for the 15th of the month.

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April’s Sky Guide

THE SUN

☀️ Solar Forecast – May 2026

Source: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Centre (SWPC) | Data: 27-Day Outlook (Issued 27 Apr 2026)

For May, the NOAA forecast indicates a dip in solar flux mid-month, but offers a couple of solid opportunities for geomagnetic storms and potential aurora sightings. The max forecasted level is of KP5. For York this is too low to be visible by eye (normally). But with a clear Northern horizon it may be possible to capture the aurora on camera. Obviously the further North you are the better chance you’ll have!

🌌 Aurora Watch: Key Storm Windows

The Kp Index measures global geomagnetic activity. For May, NOAA forecasts two distinct periods where the index is expected to reach Kp 5 (a G1 Minor Geomagnetic Storm).

• May 7: Kp 5 (G1 Minor Storm). A sudden spike in activity creates a good window for high-latitude observers early in the month.
• May 15 – 16: Kp 5 (G1 Minor Storm). This is the most prolonged storm window of the month, with the A-index peaking at 25 on the 15th. This represents the best mid-month opportunity for aurora chasers across the UK, particularly under the dark skies of the New Moon on May 16!

☀️ Solar Activity: Sunspot & Radio Flux Trends

For those using solar telescopes or safe filters, the 10.7cm Radio Flux (a proxy for sunspot complexity) shows fluctuating levels this month:

• Early May (1 – 8 May): The month starts with moderate flux at 152 sfu, gradually dropping to 135 sfu.
• Mid-May (9 – 15 May): The radio flux dips to a monthly low of 110 sfu around May 10 and remains quiet for several days. As we have seen in previous months, this dip in solar emissions curiously precedes the highest geomagnetic disturbances of the month.
• Late May (16 – 23 May): Activity climbs steadily again alongside the geomagnetic storms, recovering to 145 sfu by May 22–23.

📊 Summary Table

Date	Max Solar Flux (10.7 cm)	Max Geomagnetic A Index	Max Kp	Activity Notes
May 01–07	152	20	5	Quiet start, building to a G1 Storm on May 7.
May 08–14	135	15	4	Active on May 8, then dropping to very quiet, stable conditions.
May 15–21	140	25	5	Aurora Alert! G1 storms expected on May 15 and 16.
May 22–31	145*	12	4	Flux rising again; unsettled conditions (Kp 4) returning.

(Note: Forecast data currently extends to May 23)

📊 Forecast Visualisation

A generated chart of Mays solar forecast

Aurora Forecasts

A bit US centred but still useful: Aurora Dashboard (Experimental) | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center And our own Met-office have an excellent space weather forecast page here: Space Weather – Met Office

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The Moon

May’s Lunar Calendar

Mays moon calendar from Sky View Café (skyviewcafe.com).

Moon Feature

This April the crew of Artemis II (Commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen) did more than just break the record for the farthest human spaceflight (reaching 252,756 miles from Earth). They transitioned from passengers to lunar geographers. During their high-speed flyby, the crew provisionally named two impact sites that are now essential targets for any serious backyard astronomer:  Carroll and Integrity

Both craters are located on the Moon’s western limb, a challenging “twilight zone” where the nearside meets the farside.

• Carroll Crater (The Personal Tribute): Named for Carroll Taylor Wiseman, the late wife of the Mission Commander.
  • Morphology: It is a simple crater, approximately 3.5 miles (5.6 km) wide. Its high albedo (reflectivity) suggests it is a geologically “young” impact, having not yet been darkened by billions of years of space weathering.
  • Coordinates: Situated northwest of the Glushko crater (7.8^{\circ} N, 90.7^{\circ} W). Because it sits right at the 90^{\circ} W longitudinal line, it is at the absolute limit of visibility.
• Integrity Crater (The Mission Landmark): Named for the crew’s callsign for the Orion capsule.
  • Context: Located northwest of the Orientale Basin, a massive “bullseye” impact structure 600 miles wide. Integrity sits in the rugged highlands surrounding the basin, an area of extreme geological complexity.

How to View Them: The Secret of Libration

Because these craters sit on the very edge of the Moon, they are not always visible. To see them, you must wait for a phenomenon called lunar libration.

Although the Moon is tidally locked to Earth, it “wobbles” over its 27-day orbit. This creates a “peek-a-boo” effect, allowing us to see up to 59% of the lunar surface over time. To catch Carroll and Integrity, you need a favourable Western Libration—when the Moon’s western edge is tilted toward Earth.

Observing Tips for May 2026:

1. Check the Longitude: Look for dates when the Moon’s libration in longitude is strongly negative (around -6^{\circ} to -8^{\circ}). This “pulls” the western limb into better view from Earth.
2. Timing the Terminator: The best time to see crater detail is when the lunar terminator (the line between day and night) is nearby, as long shadows reveal depth. For these craters, this typically occurs a few days after the Full Moon.
3. Software Assistance: Use a tool like the Virtual Moon Atlas to track real-time libration. Look for the bright ray system of Glushko; if you can see Glushko clearly, Carroll is just a short hop to the northwest.

Planets

⚪ Mercury

Mercury spends the first half of May lost in the Sun’s glare, reaching superior conjunction on May 14. However, it swings into the evening sky late in the month. From May 20 onwards, it joins Venus in the northwest after sunset, well down to the lower right. By the end of May, it shines at a bright magnitude -0.6 and sets around 11 pm.

🟡 Venus

Venus is an absolute treat this month. It is the brilliant Evening Star, blazing at magnitude –3.9 in a dark sky. By the end of May, it won’t set until midnight! On the evenings of May 18 and 19, it forms a dazzling, highly photogenic gathering with a crescent Moon and Jupiter.

🔴 Mars

Mars is currently a very difficult morning object for UK observers. Spending the month tracking from Pisces into Aries, it shines around magnitude +1.2. However, it remains mired in the bright dawn twilight before sunrise, making it a very tough catch.

🟠 Jupiter

Jupiter blazes at magnitude –1.9 in the constellation Gemini, positioned to the lower left of the twin stars Castor and Pollux. It sets around 1 am. Don’t miss the beautiful convergence on May 19, when the Moon sits exactly between Jupiter and Venus in the evening sky!

🪐 Saturn

After being lost to the solar glare, Saturn begins to emerge into the dawn sky in Pisces by mid-May. It shines at magnitude +0.9. By the end of the month, the ringed planet will be rising around 3 am.

🔵 Uranus

Uranus reaches solar conjunction on May 22, meaning it is entirely lost in the Sun’s glare this month and cannot be observed.

🔷 Neptune

Neptune lies in Pisces, rising in the early morning hours. At a faint magnitude +7.8, it requires a telescope and a dark, moonless night to be spotted.

METEOR SHOWERS

he Eta Aquariids (Peak: May 6)
The Eta Aquariids are debris left behind by the famous Halley’s Comet. These meteors are incredibly fast, smashing into our atmosphere at around 210,000 km/h, and roughly a quarter of them leave persistent, glowing trains that can last for several seconds!

The Catch for 2026: The shower peaks on the morning of May 6, offering a maximum rate of roughly 40 meteors per hour. Unfortunately, this peak coincides perfectly with a very bright waning gibbous Moon (following the May 1 Full Moon). The moonlight will wash out the fainter meteors, but it is still worth heading out in the early hours before dawn to try and catch a few of the brightest fireballs cutting through the lunar glare.

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COMETS

May brings a couple of reliable telescopic targets for early risers and dedicated imagers.

Comet Name	Predicted Magnitude	Visibility Period (Approx.)	Notes
88P/Howell	9	Morning	A short-period Jupiter-family comet. Best seen low in the southeast before dawn.
10P/Tempel 2	10	Morning	Approaching its summer perihelion, this comet is brightening. Visible in the morning sky.
C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos)	12	Evening	Fading considerably now, but still trackable for imagers in the evening sky.
C/2025 A6 (Lemmon)	12	Morning	A faint telescopic object, but one to watch as it may brighten significantly by autumn.
29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1	13 (Variable)	Most of the night	The unpredictable centaur. Always worth checking for sudden, massive outbursts.

Data sourced from Seiichi Yoshida’s Visual Comets in the Future.

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DEEP SKY (DSOs)

A Vera Rubin Observatory view of a portion of the Virgo Cluster. Galaxies are crammed together so close that that their gravitational pull tears them apart,as we see in the two galaxies near the center of the image. That leaves behind some galaxies without as many stars as they started with, but with “overmassive” black holes. Image credit: RubinObs/NOIRLab/SLAC/NSF/DOE/AURA

Deep Dive: The Realm of the Galaxies (The Virgo Cluster)

With the Milky Way mostly out of the way during spring, our view into deep space is unobscured, making May the perfect time to explore the Virgo Cluster.

Located roughly 54 million light-years away, this massive cluster contains an astonishing 2,000 individual galaxies. Its immense gravity holds many neighbouring galaxy groups in thrall, forming the centre of the Virgo Supercluster (of which our own Milky Way is just a minor suburb on the outskirts!).

• The King of the Cluster (M87): Sweeping the ‘Y’ shape of the constellation Virgo with a telescope will bring you to the heart of the cluster. The undisputed king here is Messier 87 (M87), a giant elliptical galaxy. M87 is a true monster, containing trillions of stars and a central supermassive black hole weighing 6.5 billion times the mass of our Sun.
• How to Observe: While you won’t see the black hole, a moderate-to-large telescope under dark, moonless skies (aim for the New Moon around May 16) will reveal M87 as a bright, fuzzy ball of light. If you have a large aperture scope and excellent seeing, you might even glimpse the dozens of fainter companion galaxies swarming in the same field of view.

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ISS

🚀 ISS Overpasses

Date	Mag	Start (Time / Alt / Az)	Max Point (Time / Alt / Az)	End (Time / Alt / Az)
4 May	-2.2	18:39:28 (10° SSE)	18:41:42 (17° SE)	18:42:08 (16° ESE)
5 May	-2.0	19:27:42 (10° WSW)	19:30:45 (33° NW)	19:32:46 (17° N)
6 May	-3.8	18:39:52 (10° SW)	18:43:12 (85° NW)	18:46:32 (10° NE)
8 May	-1.0	05:28:58 (10° N)	05:31:46 (24° NE)	05:34:35 (10° ESE)
8 May	-0.5	18:42:35 (10° W)	18:44:37 (15° NW)	18:46:38 (10° NNW)
9 May	-0.2	04:42:58 (10° NNE)	04:44:09 (11° NE)	04:45:20 (10° ENE)
10 May	-3.6	05:29:49 (10° NW)	05:33:07 (53° SW)	05:36:25 (10° SSE)
11 May	-3.2	04:42:10 (10° NNW)	04:45:29 (58° NE)	04:48:48 (10° SE)
12 May	-1.2	03:58:37 (22° ENE)	03:58:37 (22° ENE)	04:00:37 (10° ESE)
13 May	-1.5	04:48:56 (13° S)	04:48:56 (13° S)	04:49:28 (10° S)

(Note: As satellite passes depend heavily on your specific location and the exact date, please use dedicated tracker apps or websites like Heavens-Above closer to the time for accurate May 2026 ISS overpass schedules.)

USEFUL RESOURCES

• StarLust – A Website for People with a Passion for Astronomy, Stargazing, and Space Exploration.
• https://www.spacedaily.com/
• http://www.n3kl.org/sun/noaa.html
• http://skymaps.com/downloads.html
• Astronomy Calendar of Celestial Events – Sea and Sky (seasky.org)
• http://www.deepskywatch.com/deepsky-guide.html
• https://www.constellation-guide.com/
• IMO | International Meteor Organization
• https://in-the-sky.org/
• And of course, the Sky at Night magazine!

A monthly look at astronomical events in the sky and on Earth
Compiled and written by Steve Sawyer

Welcome to April’s edition of What’s Up

Welcome to April’s “What’s Up”, where Spring is now well and truly underway. The clocks have gone forward, the evenings are stretching out, and we’re starting to get that magical mix of warmer air and darker skies.

This month, the winter constellations are finally setting in the west, making way for the bright stars of spring. We have a stunning gathering of the Moon, Venus, and the Pleiades to look forward to, and April also brings the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower. This year, the Moon won’t wash out the show, leaving us with excellent dark skies for meteor hunting.

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This Month’s York Astro Presentations

Upcoming events to put in your diary:

Date	Title	Speaker
03/04/2026	Good Friday – No Evening Meeting But solar viewing is planned for the daytime from 10:30am
17/04/2026	Members Evening – Short Talks	York AS Members

For further details see the events page Astronomy Presentations by guest speakers | York Astro and our Facebook group (20+) The York Astronomical Society Chat Group | Facebook.

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So what’s on this month?

Southern Sky

Leo dominates the southern sky this month, looking vaguely like the crouching lion after which it is named. Leading the way is its brightest star, Regulus, and the distinctive “Sickle” asterism which rides high in the spring skies.

To the west, the familiar winter constellations are beginning to set, though Gemini, with its bright stars Castor and Pollux, remains clearly visible. Nestled quietly between Gemini and Leo is the faint zodiacal constellation of Cancer.

Looking to the east of Leo, the large constellation of Virgo is now well clear of the horizon, featuring its principal star Spica sitting to the lower left of Regulus. Riding high in the eastern sky above Virgo is Boötes, marked by the brilliant orange star Arcturus, accompanied by the small circlet of stars that make up Corona Borealis. Nestled between Leo and Boötes, you can find Coma Berenices, which is notable for being the home of the open cluster Melotte 111 and the distant Coma Cluster of galaxies.

Finally, sweeping low beneath both Leo and Virgo is the full length of Hydra, the water snake, marked by its brightest star Alphard towards the southwest. Sitting just between Hydra and Virgo are the two small, faint constellations of Crater and Corvus.

Northern Sky

In the early evening, Cygnus and the brighter regions of the Milky Way begin to appear, running nearly parallel to the northern horizon. Looking high overhead, you will find Ursa Major positioned “upside down” near the zenith.

Towards the northeast, the small constellation of Lyra is rising. Above it sits the distinctive “Keystone” asterism of Hercules, which serves as an excellent guidepost for locating the ancient globular cluster M13. Weaving its way through this region is Draco, which stretches from its ‘head’ on the border with Hercules and ends at the star Giausar, located exactly between the Pole Star (Polaris) and the Pointer stars of Ursa Major (Dubhe and Merak).

Due north, the familiar shape of Cassiopeia has swung around to sit almost on the meridian below Polaris, while the neighbouring constellation of Cepheus is starting to climb higher.

Over in the northwest, Auriga and its brilliantly bright star Capella remain clearly visible, though the southern part of Perseus begins to dip below the northern horizon as the month progresses. Between Polaris, Auriga, and Perseus, you can also try to spot the very faint constellation of Camelopardalis. Finally, standing almost vertically in the western sky is the constellation of Gemini.

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April 2026 Calendar

Date	Time (UT)	Event	Details
Apr 02	02:12	Full Moon
Apr 03	01:32	Moon & Spica	Spica 1.8°S of the Moon
Apr 03	22:33	Mercury at Elongation	Greatest western elongation (27.8°W, morning sky)
Apr 06	19:21	Moon Occults Antares	Antares 0.6°N of the Moon (Occultation visible from Antarctica)
Apr 10	04:52	Last Quarter Moon
Apr 16	00:45	Moon & Mars	Mars 3.7°S of the Moon
Apr 17	11:52	New Moon	Darkest skies of the month
Apr 18	—	Moon & Venus	The narrowest crescent Moon lies to the lower right of Venus
Apr 19	08:49	Moon & Venus	Venus 4.8°S of the Moon
Apr 19	16:28	Moon & Pleiades	Pleiades cluster 1.0°S of the Moon
Apr 20	00:00	Mercury & Mars	Mercury 1.7°S of Mars
Apr 20	08:03	Mercury & Saturn	Mercury 0.5°S of Saturn
Apr 22	Night	Lyrid Meteors	Peak of shower
Apr 22	22:06	Moon & Jupiter	Jupiter 3.6°S of the Moon
Apr 23	Night	Venus & Uranus	Venus passes Uranus to its lower left
Apr 24	02:32	First Quarter Moon
Apr 26	00:37	Moon Occults Regulus	Regulus 0.2°S of the Moon (Occultation visible from the Americas)
Apr 30	08:17	Moon & Spica	Spica 1.8°N of the Moon

This table captures the astronomical events for April, including phases of the moon, planetary alignments, and other notable occurrences.

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Sky Maps

Looking South on the 15th at 22:00

Looking North on the 15th at 22:00

The two charts above show all DSOs of magnitude 6.0 or brighter. They are both taken from
SkyViewCafe.com and correct for the 15th of the month.

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April’s Sky Guide

The Sun

☀️ Solar Forecast – April 2026

Source: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Centre (SWPC) | Data: 27-Day Outlook & Weekly Forecast (Issued 30 Mar 2026)

As we navigate the heightened activity of Solar Cycle 25, predicting space weather is essential for knowing when to look out for auroras or complex sunspots. For April, the forecast indicates a month filled with excellent aurora-chasing opportunities due to several recurring coronal hole high-speed streams (CH HSS).

🌌 Aurora Watch: Key Storm Windows

The Kp Index measures global geomagnetic activity. For April, NOAA forecasts multiple periods where the index is expected to reach Kp 5 (a G1 Minor Geomagnetic Storm) and Kp 6 (a G2 Moderate Geomagnetic Storm).

• April 4: Kp 5 (G1 Minor Storm). A spike in activity driven by a negative polarity CH HSS.
• April 9 – 11: Kp 5 to Kp 6 (G1 to G2 Storms). A significant storm window! G1 conditions are likely on the 9th and 11th, but activity peaks at a G2 (Moderate) Storm on April 10 with an A-index of 40 and Kp of 6 due to positive polarity CH HSS influences.
• April 18 – 19: Kp 5 to Kp 6 (G1 to G2 Storms). Another major opportunity for UK observers! The field is expected to reach G2 storm levels on April 18 (with a massive A-index peak of 48), followed by a G1 storm period on April 19, driven by negative polarity CH HSS.

☀️ Solar Activity: Sunspot & Radio Flux Trends

For those using solar telescopes or safe filters, the 10.7cm Radio Flux (a proxy for sunspot complexity) shows moderate but fluctuating levels this month:

• Early April (1 – 7 Apr): The month starts with strong flux at 155 sfu, indicating a good chance for complex sunspot observation, before tapering down to 125 sfu.
• Mid-April (8 – 16 Apr): The radio flux drops to a low of 110 sfu around April 10 and 14. Interestingly, similar to last month, this dip in solar emissions coincides with some of the highest geomagnetic disturbances of the month.
• Late April (17 – 25 Apr): Activity climbs steadily again, reaching a peak of 160 sfu by April 24.

NOAA anticipates a varying chance for M-class (R1-R2/Minor-Moderate) solar flares throughout the month.

📊 Summary Table

Date	Max Solar Flux (10.7 cm)	Max Geomagnetic A Index	Max Kp	Activity Notes
Apr 01–07	155	22	5	G1 Storm expected on Apr 4. Unsettled to active early in the week.
Apr 08–14	120	40	6	Major Aurora Alert! G1 storms on Apr 9 & 11, peaking at G2 on Apr 10.
Apr 15–21	140	48	6	Major Aurora Alert! G2 storm on Apr 18, followed by a G1 storm on Apr 19.
Apr 22–30	160	15	4	Flux rising steadily to 160 sfu. Active conditions possible towards the 25th.

(Note: Forecast data currently extends to April 25)

📊 Forecast Visualisation

The chart below shows the predicted sunspot count alongside solar activity.

Aurora Forecasts

A bit US centred but still useful: Aurora Dashboard (Experimental) | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center And our own Met-office have an excellent space weather forecast page here: Space Weather – Met Office

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The Moon

April’s Lunar Calendar

April’s moon calendar from Sky View Café (skyviewcafe.com).

Moon Feature

A Beautiful Tableau: The Moon, Venus, and the Pleiades (April 18–19)

On the evenings of April 18 and 19, look to the western sky as it grows dark for a truly beautiful tableau. On the 18th, the narrowest waxing crescent Moon will lie to the lower right of the brilliant planet Venus, with the bright star Aldebaran and the Pleiades star cluster shining above.

By the evening of April 19, the Moon will have moved up to team up with Venus. If you grab a pair of binoculars and look closely right below the lunar crescent, you will find the sparkling stars of the Pleiades cluster perfectly framed in the same field of view. This will be an outstanding wide-field astrophotography opportunity!

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Planets

⚪ Mercury

Mercury reaches its greatest western elongation on April 3, making it a morning star. However, it remains very low on the eastern horizon, making this a poor apparition for observers in northern temperate latitudes like York.

🟡 Venus

Venus is the glorious Evening Star this month, blazing at magnitude –3.9. It rises high enough that you can see it against a truly dark sky; by the end of April, it doesn’t set until around 11 pm. On April 23, Venus passes just to the right of Uranus, providing a great guidepost to find the much fainter ice giant.

🔴 Mars

Mars moves from Aquarius into Pisces this month, shining moderately at magnitude +1.2 to +1.3. It is visible as a morning object low in the east before sunrise. It passes 1.2° north of Saturn on the morning of April 19.

🟠 Jupiter

Jupiter continues to reside in Gemini, shining brightly at magnitude –2.1. It remains second in brightness only to Venus and sets around 3 am. It pairs nicely with the Moon on the evening of April 22.

🪐 Saturn

Saturn remains a morning sky object in Pisces, shining at magnitude +0.9. It leads the sunrise and slowly pulls away from the Sun’s glare as the month progresses.

🔵 Uranus

Uranus is on the borderline of naked-eye visibility at magnitude +5.8 in Taurus. On April 23, use binoculars to find it as a faint bluish-green “star” just 50 arcminutes to the left of Venus.

🔷 Neptune

Neptune is located in Pisces and is slowly emerging into the dawn sky, but at magnitude +8.0, it remains lost in the morning twilight for northern observers this month.

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Meteor Showers

The Lyrids (April 22–23)

For northern hemisphere observers, the Lyrid meteor shower begins on April 16 and peaks on the night of April 22 into the early morning of April 23. These meteors are debris from Comet Thatcher and often leave dusty trails as they burn up in the atmosphere.

2026 is a fantastic year for the Lyrids! Because the Moon is a waxing crescent during the peak, it will set around 2 am, leaving the early morning skies completely dark. Expect to see a maximum rate of around 18 meteors per hour radiating from the constellation Lyra.

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👁️ Naked Eye Challenge: The Zodiacal Light

At this time of year, the ecliptic (the path of the Sun, Moon, and planets) rises steeply from the horizon at dusk. This angle makes April an ideal month to catch one of the most elusive and ghostly of all astronomical sights: the Zodiacal Light.

To see it, you will need to get well away from city streetlights on a moonless night (the period around the New Moon on April 17 is perfect). Look to the west just after the twilight has completely faded. If your skies are dark enough, you may spot a faint, glowing pyramid of light stretching up from the horizon along the line of the zodiac.

What is it? This ghostly glow is actually sunlight reflecting off a massive, diffuse fog of tiny dust particles filling the inner Solar System. Astronomers believe these particles are the dusty remains of ancient comets and crushed asteroids, though recent evidence suggests some of it may even be dust escaping from Mars!

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Comets

April brings some excellent comet hunting opportunities, with two comets potentially breaking the naked-eye threshold!

Comet Name	Predicted Magnitude	Visibility Period (Approx.)	Notes
C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS)	5	Morning	The highlight of the month! This comet reaches magnitude 5, making it a potentially naked-eye object in the morning sky.
C/2026 A1 (MAPS)	7	Evening	A fantastic binocular target shining at magnitude 7 in the evening sky.
88P/Howell	9	Morning	Holding steady at magnitude 9; a good telescopic target before dawn.
C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos)	10	Evening	Fading, but still visible in evening skies for moderate telescopes.
10P/Tempel 2	13	Morning	A faint telescopic object just starting to appear in morning skies.
29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1	13 (Variable)	Midnight/Morning	Unpredictable centaur object; always worth checking for sudden outbursts.

Data sourced from Seiichi Yoshida’s Visual Comets in the Future.

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Deep Sky (DSOs)

📸 Astrophotographer’s Target: The Antennae Galaxies (NGC 4038 & NGC 4039)

If you want to push your observing or imaging skills this month, turn your telescope toward the constellation Corvus to witness a slow-motion cosmic disaster unfolding roughly 45 million light-years away.

The Antennae Galaxies are a pair of stately spiral galaxies whose paths have crossed. The immense gravitational wreckage of this collision has thrown out massive streamers of stars and gas, giving the co-mingling pair their insect-like name.

• For the Astrophotographer: This is a spectacular target. The collision has compressed vast clouds of gas, triggering a massive rash of starbirth. Long exposures, particularly those using hydrogen-alpha filters, will reveal these star-forming regions shining brilliantly in red, alongside the faint, sweeping tidal tails of the “antennae”.
• For the Visual Observer: You will need a moderate-to-large telescope and very dark skies. While the sweeping antennae are generally too faint for the eyepiece, you can clearly spot the two colliding, heart-shaped galactic cores locked in their gravitational dance.
• A Glimpse of the Future: Eventually, this violent merger will settle down, and the two spirals will coalesce into a giant, gas-poor elliptical galaxy. Observing them gives us a direct preview of our own galaxy’s fate: in about five billion years, the Milky Way is destined to smash into the Andromeda Galaxy, eventually forming a single massive galaxy nicknamed “Milkomeda”.

🌌 Spring Galaxy Challenges

With the Milky Way out of the way, April is all about hunting down distant galaxies. Here are a few spectacular targets to test your visual observing skills and push your astrophotography setups to the limit:

📸 Astrophotography Challenge 1: The Leo Triplet (M65, M66, and NGC 3628)

Constellation: Leo | Distance: ~35 million light-years

• What it is: A magnificent grouping of three galaxies located roughly halfway between the stars Chort and Iota Leonis. M65 and M66 are a beautiful pair of spiral galaxies that appear as faint smudges of light in smaller scopes. However, they are accompanied by a third, fainter galaxy called NGC 3628.
• The Challenge: NGC 3628 (often called the Hamburger Galaxy) requires at least a 4-inch telescope and very dark skies just to be seen visually. For astrophotographers, the ultimate test is framing all three galaxies in a single wide-field shot while teasing out the delicate, dark dust lane that bisects the edge-on disk of NGC 3628.

📸 Astrophotography Challenge 2: M87’s Relativistic Jet

Constellation: Virgo | Distance: 54 million light-years

• What it is: If you sweep the ‘bowl’ of Virgo’s Y-shape, you will be looking into the heart of the Virgo Cluster, a vast swarm of around 2,000 galaxies. The undisputed king of this cluster is M87, a giant elliptical galaxy.
• The Challenge: M87 famously hosts one of the most massive black holes known (roughly 6.5 billion solar masses). This black hole is actively ejecting a 5,000-light-year-long jet of high-speed subatomic particles. While the galaxy itself is visible as a bright fuzzball in small scopes, capturing this visible relativistic jet requires a medium-to-large telescope, pristine dark skies, and masterful long-exposure astrophotography.

🔭 Visual & Imaging Target: M81 and M82 (Bode’s Galaxy & The Cigar Galaxy)

Constellation: Ursa Major | Distance: 12 million light-years

• What it is: With Ursa Major riding extremely high (almost “upside down” near the zenith) in April skies, this pair is perfectly placed. M81 is a beautiful, smooth spiral galaxy with a softly glowing bulge. Its companion, M82, is a “starburst galaxy” that looks completely chaotic due to a close encounter with M81 roughly 300 million years ago.
• The Challenge: While both are visible in good binoculars on a dark night, the photographic challenge lies in M82. The ancient collision ripped out streams of gas that are still raining back down onto M82’s core, creating a massive eruption of star formation. Astrophotographers should aim to use hydrogen-alpha filters to capture the spectacular, chaotic red tendrils of gas erupting from its center.

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ISS and other orbiting bits

🚀 ISS Overpasses

Date	Mag	Start (Time / Alt / Az)	Max Point (Time / Alt / Az)	End (Time / Alt / Az)
2 Apr	-1.2	19:23:40 (10° N)	19:24:01 (12° N)	19:24:01 (12° N)
3 Apr	-0.2	20:12:46 (10° WNW)	20:12:46 (10° WNW)	20:12:46 (10° WNW)
4 Apr	-3.5	19:25:09 (10° NW)	19:28:28 (65° SW)	19:28:33 (65° SW)
5 Apr	-3.5	18:38:01 (10° NNW)	18:41:17 (48° NE)	18:44:22 (11° SE)
6 Apr	-0.7	19:29:12 (10° W)	19:30:39 (12° SW)	19:32:06 (10° SSW)
7 Apr	-0.8	05:28:29 (10° SSE)	05:30:25 (14° SE)	05:32:21 (10° E)
7 Apr	-1.6	18:40:31 (10° WNW)	18:43:23 (26° SW)	18:46:15 (10° S)
9 Apr	-3.7	05:29:07 (10° SSW)	05:32:28 (81° SE)	05:35:49 (10° NE)
10 Apr	-2.1	04:43:15 (18° S)	04:45:10 (32° SE)	04:48:12 (10° ENE)
11 Apr	-0.6	03:58:52 (13° ESE)	03:58:52 (13° ESE)	03:59:47 (10° E)
11 Apr	-2.0	05:32:07 (10° W)	05:34:25 (17° NW)	05:36:43 (10° N)
12 Apr	-3.0	04:47:25 (36° NW)	04:47:25 (36° NW)	04:50:11 (10° NNE)
13 Apr	-0.6	04:02:47 (12° NE)	04:02:47 (12° NE)	04:03:00 (10° NE)

(Note: As satellite passes depend heavily on your specific location and the exact date, please use dedicated tracker apps or websites like Heavens-Above closer to the time for accurate April 2026 ISS overpass schedules.)

Useful Resources

• StarLust – A Website for People with a Passion for Astronomy, Stargazing, and Space Exploration.
• https://www.spacedaily.com/
• http://www.n3kl.org/sun/noaa.html
• http://skymaps.com/downloads.html
• Astronomy Calendar of Celestial Events – Sea and Sky (seasky.org)
• http://www.deepskywatch.com/deepsky-guide.html
• https://www.constellation-guide.com/
• IMO | International Meteor Organization
• https://in-the-sky.org/
• And of course, the Sky at Night magazine!

A monthly look at astronomical events in the sky and on Earth

Compiled and written by Steve Sawyer

Welcome to March’s edition of What’s Up

Welcome to the March 2026 edition of “What’s Up”! This month marks a major transition in our skies as we say goodbye to the dark depths of winter, and hopefully the murk and damp that seems to have been the weather since the start of the year!
Welcome the astronomical start of spring. The Sun crosses the celestial equator on March 20, bringing the Vernal Equinox, where day and night are of almost equal length. For observers in the UK and Ireland, don’t forget that British Summer Time (BST) begins on March 29, so clocks will go forward.
This month we’re using Monet inspired images.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Monet

Continue reading →

A monthly look at astronomical events in the sky and on Earth

Compiled and written by Steve Sawyer

Welcome to Februarys edition of What’s Up

Hi and welcome to Februarys column. I hope you found some clear skies amidst the January murk. January saw some spectacular auroras around the world, including parts of the UK. I missed them due to the weather! I hope you managed to catch a glimpse.
This month the winter constellations of Orion and Gemini still dominate our southern skies. For planetary observers, this is a headline month: a rare “planet parade” emerges in the final week, featuring six of our solar system neighbours—Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune—stretching across the western horizon shortly after sunset.
More on these later on but first….

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This Months and Upcoming York Astro Presentations

Upcoming events to put in your diary

Date	Title	Speaker
06/02/2026	Variable Stars: Their History and Discovery	Andrew Stephenson
20/02/2026	How the Universe Will End	Brad Gibson
06/03/2026	How It Began: The Origins of Planetary Exploration 1961–1981	Peter Rea

For further details see the events page Astronomy Presentations by guest speakers | York Astro and our Facebook group (20+) The York Astronomical Society Chat Group | Facebook

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So what’s on this month?

Northern Sky

_{An artistic view of the Northern night sky}

In February, the northern sky is defined by the steady ascent of Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Its most famous asterism, the Plough (or Big Dipper), stands almost vertically on its handle in the northeast by mid-evening. Polaris, the Pole Star, remains the constant anchor of the north, marking the tip of the Little Bear’s tail (Ursa Minor) as it hangs suspended below.

Low along the northern horizon, the winding form of Draco the Dragon skims the hazy interface between earth and sky, while the “W” of Cassiopeia and the house-shaped Cepheus begin to sink toward the northwest. High toward the zenith, the constellation Gemini becomes a spectacular centrepiece. Its twin stars, Castor and Pollux, shine brightly, but in February 2026, they are joined by the dazzling presence of Jupiter, which dominates this region of the sky.

Southern Sky

_{An artistic view of the southern night sky}

Looking south, the sky is dominated by the scintillating figure of Orion the Hunter, which strides high across the heavens during the winter months. Its “Belt” of three stars—Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka—points downward to the southeast toward Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, located in Canis Major.

Above Sirius sits Procyon in Canis Minor, forming the famous Winter Triangle with Sirius and Orion’s red supergiant star, Betelgeuse. To the east, the Sickle of Leo begins its ascent, with the bright star Regulus marking the lion’s heart—a clear sign that spring is on the horizon. High above this entire scene, Jupiter remains the brilliant “king” of the planets, positioned in Gemini and visible from early evening until well after midnight

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February 2026 Calendar

Date	Time (UT)	Event	Details
Feb 01	22:09	Full Moon
Feb 02	23:03	Moon & Regulus	Regulus 0.4°S of Moon
Feb 07	06:58	Moon & Spica	Spica 1.6°N of Moon
Feb 08	Night	α-Centaurid Meteors	Peak of shower (weak in UK)
Feb 09	00:07	Last Quarter Moon
Feb 10	08:49	Moon at Apogee	Distance: 406,096 km
Feb 11	01:33	Moon & Antares	Antares 0.5°N of Moon
Feb 15	04:11	Moon & Mars	Mars 1.1°N of Moon (mag 1.1)
Feb 17	12:01	New Moon
Feb 19	06:57	Mercury at Greatest Elongation East	Best evening view (18.1° from Sun, mag -0.6)
Feb 19	18:12	Moon & Mercury	Mercury 4.2°S of Moon
Feb 20	01:25	Moon & Saturn	Saturn 4.3°S of Moon (mag 1.0)
Feb 20	05:19	Saturn & Neptune	Saturn 0.8°N of Neptune (mag 8.0)
Feb 20	12:20	Venus & Jupiter	Venus 3.1°S of Jupiter (mag -2.5)
Feb 22	13:08	Moon & Venus	Venus 3.0°S of Moon
Feb 22	22:57	Moon & Jupiter	Jupiter 2.7°S of Moon
Feb 24	03:38	Moon & Pleiades	Pleiades cluster 1.0°S of Moon
Feb 24	13:06	First Quarter Moon
Feb 25	05:05	Mercury at Stationary Point	Begins retrograde motion
Feb 26	03:54	Moon at Perigee	Distance: 369,982 km
Feb 27	22:26	Moon & Pollux	Pollux 2.8°N of Moon
Feb 28	06:52	Mars at Perihelion	Closest approach to Sun (1.381 AU)

This table captures the astronomical events for February, including phases of the moon, planetary alignments, and other notable occurrences.

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Sky Maps

Looking South on the 15th at 22:00

Looking North on the 15th at 22:00

The two charts above show all DSOs of magnitude 6.0 or brighter. They are both taken from
SkyViewCafe.com and correct for the 15th of the month.

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Februarys Sky Guide

The Sun

☀️ Solar Forecast – February 2026

Source: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Centre (SWPC) | Data: 27-Day Outlook (Issued 26 Jan 2026)

As we move deeper into 2026, Solar Cycle 25 shows no signs of slowing down. February looks set to be a month of distinct phases: a relatively quieter start for sunspot observers, followed by a significant ramp-up in activity during the second half of the month, bringing both complex active regions and high chances of geomagnetic storms.

🌌 Aurora Watch: Mid-Month Storms & Sustained Activity

The Kp Index forecast suggests an unsettled month ahead. We have an immediate window of activity crossing over from January, followed by a notable mid-month peak and a prolonged period of active conditions.

1. Immediate Alert: Late Jan into Early Feb

• Forecast: Kp 5 (G1 Minor Storm) on 28 Jan, dropping to Kp 4 on 29 Jan. Another unsettled window (Kp 4) occurs 4 – 5 February.
• Details: As this column goes to press, Earth is facing an elevated solar wind stream. The end of January offers a strong chance for aurora, extending into unsettled conditions for the first week of February. Observers in Scotland and Northern England should be on alert during these windows.

2. The Valentine’s Surge: 13 February onwards

• Forecast: Kp 5 (G1 Minor Geomagnetic Storm) on 13 Feb, followed by an extended streak of Kp 4 from 14 – 21 Feb.
• Details: This is the most significant period in the forecast. A disturbance is predicted to trigger G1 storm conditions around the 13th. Perhaps more unusually, the forecast indicates a full week of sustained Kp 4 (Active) conditions immediately following this peak. This prolonged unsettled spell could provide multiple nights of photographic opportunities for northern observers, rather than just a single fleeting peak.

☀️ Solar Activity: A Game of Two Halves

For solar imagers and observers using safe filtration, the 10.7cm Radio Flux shows a clear trend of increasing complexity as the month progresses.

• The Early Lull (1 – 6 Feb): The month begins with relatively moderate activity by Solar Maximum standards. Flux levels are predicted to hover between 120–130 sfu. While sunspots will still be present, the disk may appear less chaotic than in recent months.
• The steady climb (7 – 16 Feb): Activity begins to slowly build from the end of the first week, with flux rising steadily from 125 sfu towards 160 sfu.
• The Late Peak (17 – 21 Feb): The forecast ends on a high note. Solar activity is expected to surge, peaking at 180 sfu on 18 February and remaining high. This suggests significant, complex active regions rotating into view, offering superb targets for high-resolution solar photography.

📊 February 2026 Key Dates at a Glance

Period	Event	Observation Priority
28 Jan	Kp 5 (G1 Storm)	Immediate Aurora Alert: High probability for northern UK.
4 – 5 Feb	Kp 4 Activity	Aurora: active conditions for high latitudes.
13 Feb	Kp 5 (G1 Storm)	Aurora Peak: Best predicted chance of the month.
14 – 21 Feb	Sustained Kp 4 Streak	Aurora: Prolonged period of unsettled weather; keep watch.
17 – 21 Feb	High Solar Flux (170-180 sfu)	Solar Imaging: Complex sunspot groups expected.

Safety Reminder: Never look at the Sun directly without professional solar filters. Permanent eye damage can occur instantly.

📊 Forecast Visualisation

The chart below highlights the correlation between the G1 storm threshold (red line) and the predicted Kp peaks for the period.

Auroa Forecasts

A bit US centred but still useful

Aurora Dashboard (Experimental) | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center

And our own Met-office have an excellent space weather forecast page here Space Weather – Met Office

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The Moon

Februarys Lunar Calendar

Februarys moon calendar from Sky View Café (skyviewcafe.com)
A full yearly lunar calendar can be found here :-

https://www.mooninfo.org/moon-phases/2026.html

Moon Feature

Mare Crisium

Located on the far eastern edge (the right-hand side) of the Moon, Mare Crisium is an isolated, oval-shaped “sea” of dark basalt. Unlike the other large mare regions that tend to merge into one another, Crisium sits alone, surrounded by high, bright mountains.

• Best Time to View: 19–20 February 2026.
• What to Look For: Use binoculars or a small telescope to spot the “wrinkle ridges” snaking across the basin floor. Look for the Promontorium Agarum, a dramatic cape-like feature that juts into the sea from the southeast.

Blue Ghost

In March 2025, the private U.S. lander Blue Ghost (Mission 1) successfully touched down in the northern region of Mare Crisium.

Feature	Technical Detail
Dimensions	2m (height) x 3.5m (width)
Mass	1,517 kg (Launch), 469 kg (Dry)
Payload Capacity	155 kg to the lunar surface
Power System	3 solar panels (top & sides) providing 400W nominal / 650W peak
Propulsion	1x LEROS-4 main engine (>1,000 N thrust); 8x Spectre bipropellant thrusters
ACS	12x cold-gas Attitude Control System thrusters
Communications	1x steerable X-band antenna (10 Mbps peak) and 3x S-band antennas
Landing Gear	4 carbon-composite legs with crush-core honeycomb and contact sensors

Mission Profile & Timeline

• Launch: January 15, 2025, via a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Kennedy Space Center.
• Transit: A 45-day journey including 25 days in Earth orbit and 16 days in lunar orbit to perform subsystem health checks.
• Landing Site: Mare Crisium (Sea of Crises), specifically near the volcanic feature Mons Latreille ($18.56^\circ\text{N}, 61.81^\circ\text{E}$).
• Touchdown: March 2, 2025, at 08:34 UTC. The lander used Terrain-Relative Navigation (TRN) to select a hazard-free spot within a 100m target zone.
• Surface Duration: Operated for a full lunar day (approx. 14 Earth days), surviving several hours into the lunar night to observe dust behaviour.

Key Technical Payloads (NASA CLPS)

The lander carried 10 NASA-sponsored instruments, focusing on regolith mechanics and the lunar environment:

• SCALPSS 1.1: Stereo cameras that captured the “plume-surface interaction”—the exact moment the engine exhaust disturbed the lunar dust during descent.
• Lunar PlanetVac (LPV): A pneumatic system that used pressurized nitrogen to collect and sort lunar soil samples.
• Electrodynamic Dust Shield (EDS): A solid-state system that uses electric fields to “flick” abrasive lunar dust off solar panels and camera lenses.
• LuGRE: A high-sensitivity GNSS receiver that successfully tracked Earth-based GPS/Galileo signals from a record distance of 246,000 miles.
• RadPC: A reconfigurable, radiation-tolerant computer system tested for its ability to correct bit-flips caused by cosmic rays.

Operations & Environment

• Thermal Management: The lander utilized active heaters, multi-layer insulation (MLI), and radiator panels to survive the lunar noon, which reaches roughly 121°C. During the peak heat, Firefly performed “power cycling” to keep internal temperatures within limits.
• Data Downlink: Over the course of the mission, Blue Ghost downlinked over 57 GB of HD video, imagery, and scientific telemetry back to the Mission Operations Center in Cedar Park, Texas.

Next Step

With Mission 1 complete, Firefly is preparing Blue Ghost Mission 2 for late 2026, which will target the Lunar Far Side.
This mission has been providing fresh data on:

• Lunar Heat Flow: For the first time, scientists are measuring how much heat is escaping from the Moon’s interior in this specific basin, helping us understand the Moon’s volcanic history.
• Deep Interior: Instruments on the lander are probing the lunar mantle to depths of up to 700 miles—nearly two-thirds of the way to the Moon’s core—to map its magnetic and electrical properties.
• Dust Behavior: The lander observed “lunar horizon glow,” where tiny particles of electrostatically charged dust levitate at sunset—a phenomenon first reported by Apollo 17 astronauts.

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Planets

⚪ Mercury

The “Swift Planet” puts on its best evening show of the year this month. From about 8 February onwards, look low in the western twilight after sunset. It reaches its greatest separation from the Sun on 19 February, setting as late as 7:00 pm. It shines brightly at magnitude –0.6, making it much easier to spot than usual.

🟡 Venus

Shining as the brilliant “Evening Star” at magnitude –3.9, Venus dominates the western sky after sunset throughout February. It is unmistakably bright and climbs higher in the sky as the month progresses, making it the most prominent planet in the evening twilight.

🔴 Mars

Mars is slowly returning to prominence but remains relatively low in the pre-dawn sky. While it is technically visible in the early morning hours, it is still quite faint and distant, making it a challenging target for most casual observers this month.

🟠 Jupiter

Jupiter remains the undisputed highlight of the winter sky. Located in Gemini, it is visible from as soon as it gets dark until the early hours of the morning. Shining at a brilliant magnitude –2.4, it is the second brightest “star-like” object in the sky after Venus and offers stunning views of its cloud belts and Galilean moons.

🪐 Saturn

Located in Pisces, Saturn is visible low in the west after sunset at the start of the month, setting around 8:00 pm. However, by the end of February, it begins to descend rapidly into the Sun’s glare, becoming increasingly difficult to observe before it disappears from the evening sky.

🔵 Uranus

Uranus remains in the constellation of Taurus, positioned below the Pleiades star cluster. At magnitude +5.8, it is technically visible to the naked eye under perfectly dark, rural skies, but it is best found using binoculars or a small telescope.

🔷 Neptune

Neptune is located in Pisces, very close to Saturn. Because it shines at a faint magnitude of +8.0, it is invisible to the naked eye. On 20 February, Saturn passes just 0.8° north of Neptune, providing a perfect “signpost” to help telescope users locate the distant blue planet.

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Meteor Showers

February is generally a quiet month for meteor activity in the northern UK. There are no major, high-rate meteor showers that peak during the month.

The only active shower is the minor Alpha Centaurids, which reaches its peak on 8 February. However, its radiant point—the spot in the sky from which the meteors appear to originate—is in the southern constellation of Centaurus. From our northerly latitude, this constellation is mostly or entirely below the horizon, making the shower largely unobservable.

However, don’t let this discourage you from looking up! On any clear, dark night, you can still expect to see a few sporadic meteors. These are random “shooting stars” not associated with any specific cometary debris stream. While you won’t witness a spectacular storm, you might just be lucky enough to catch a bright, random meteor streaking overhead.

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Comets

Comet Name	Predicted Magnitude	Visibility Period (Approx.)	Notes
24P/Schaumasse	~9.0 – 9.5	Throughout February	The best target for small telescopes. Fading slowly but still well-placed high in the northern sky in the morning hours.
C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos)	~8.7 (at best)	Mid-to-Late February	Reappearing in the Northern Hemisphere evening sky. Closest approach to Earth on 17 Feb, but likely fading.
88P/Howell	~10.0 – 10.5	Mid-to-Late February	A morning object that will be low in the southeastern sky before dawn, brightening gradually.
3I/2025 N1 (ATLAS)	~12.5 – 13.0	Throughout February	The third-ever interstellar object. It is now fading rapidly but remains a unique telescopic target high in the night sky.
29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann	~13.0 (Variable)	Irregular	A faint, distant centaur object infamous for sudden, massive outbursts that can brighten it dramatically within hours. Always worth a check.

4P/Schaumasse

Following its peak in January, 24P/Schaumasse is now slowly fading but remains the most accessible comet for observers with small telescopes or large binoculars. Holding steady around magnitude 9.0 to 9.5, it is a morning object. It is currently moving through the northern constellations, meaning it remains high in the sky before dawn, well away from the hazy horizon. Look for a small, fuzzy patch of light; a dark, rural sky is essential for the best view.

C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos)

This comet reappears for Northern Hemisphere observers in February after its swing past the Sun. It will be visible in the evening sky and makes its closest approach to Earth on 17 February. While some earlier optimistic predictions suggested it might reach naked-eye visibility, more recent data indicates it will likely be around magnitude 8.7. This makes it a good target for binoculars and small telescopes in the western sky after sunset.

A Rare Interstellar Visitor: 3I/2025 N1 (ATLAS)

For telescope owners looking for a unique challenge, the interstellar object 3I/2025 N1 (ATLAS) is still visible. This is only the third object from outside our solar system ever discovered. While it is now fading and sits around magnitude 12.5 to 13.0, its status as a visitor from another star system makes it a fascinating target to track down high in the night sky.

Data sources and magnitude predictions are based on analysis from Seiichi Yoshida’s Weekly Information on Bright Comets.

Deep Sky (DSO’s)

A Deeper look at Gemini

While Orion may dominate the lower southern sky, the constellation of Gemini, the Twins, rides high overhead in February. It is a constellation rich in mythology, beautiful stellar contrasts, and accessible deep-sky treasures. This month, it is also the temporary home of the giant planet Jupiter, which blazes brightly among the twins’ stars, making the constellation impossible to miss.

The Constellation Overview

Gemini represents the mythological twins Castor and Pollux. They were the sons of Leda, but had different fathers—Castor was the mortal son of the King of Sparta, while Pollux was the immortal son of Zeus. When Castor was killed, Pollux begged Zeus to let him share his immortality with his brother, and they were placed together in the heavens. Visually, the constellation forms a rough rectangle, with two parallel lines of stars representing the bodies of the twins, capped by the two bright stars that bear their names.

The Bright Stars: The Mortal and the Immortal

Although they are known as the “twins”, the two brightest stars of Gemini are quite different in appearance and nature.

• Pollux ($\beta$ Geminorum): Despite its “beta” designation, Pollux is currently the brighter of the pair. It is an orange giant star located roughly 34 light-years away. To the naked eye, it has a distinct golden-yellow hue compared to its brother.
• Castor ($\alpha$ Geminorum): Appearing slightly fainter and distinctly white or blue-white to the naked eye, Castor is actually a fascinating sextuplet system—six stars bound together by gravity.

Deep-Sky Treasures: The Star Clusters

Gemini lies away from the densest part of the Milky Way, so it lacks the bright nebulae of Orion, but it is home to some superb open star clusters that are excellent targets for binoculars and small telescopes.

• M35 (The Shoe-Buckle Cluster): Located near the “foot” of the twin Castor, M35 is a large, scattered cluster of stars nearly the size of the Full Moon. It is easily visible in binoculars as a fuzzy patch of light and resolves into dozens of individual stars in a small telescope.
• NGC 2158: Just southwest of M35 lies this much fainter, more compact cluster. It is roughly four times more distant than M35. Seeing both in the same telescopic field of view provides a wonderful sense of three-dimensional depth in the cosmos.
• The Eskimo Nebula (NGC 2392): For those with larger telescopes, this planetary nebula—the puffed-off outer layers of a dying star—resembles a face surrounded by a parka hood.

Observation Tips for Gemini

• Splitting Castor: Turn a small telescope (even a 60mm refractor) onto Castor at high magnification. You will easily split it into two bright, white stars rotating around each other—a beautiful sight.
• Finding M35: The easiest way to locate the M35 cluster is to find the three stars that form the “foot” of Castor ($\eta$, $\mu$, and $\nu$ Geminorum). M35 is located just off the tip of this toe.
• Colour Contrast: On a clear, steady night, look back and forth between Pollux and Castor. Try to discern the subtle colour difference between the golden glow of the immortal twin and the icy white of the mortal one.

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ISS and other orbiting bits

🚀 ISS Overpasses

Date	Mag	Start Time	Alt	Az	Max Time	Alt	Az	End Time	Alt	Az	Status
13 Feb	-0.8	06:09:43	10°	S	06:11:18	13°	SE	06:12:52	10°	ESE	Visible
15 Feb	-1.6	06:10:50	10°	SSW	06:13:36	24°	SSE	06:16:20	10°	E	Visible
16 Feb	-1.3	05:24:32	11°	S	05:26:40	18°	SSE	05:29:02	10°	ESE	Visible
17 Feb	-1.0	04:39:33	13°	SSE	04:39:46	13°	SE	04:41:26	10°	ESE	Visible
17 Feb	-2.6	06:12:48	10°	SW	06:15:57	38°	SSE	06:19:06	10°	E	Visible
18 Feb	-2.3	05:27:26	21°	SSW	05:28:55	31°	SSE	05:31:56	10°	E	Visible
19 Feb	-1.8	04:42:14	24°	SE	04:42:14	24°	SE	04:44:41	10°	E	Visible
19 Feb	-3.2	06:15:13	11°	WSW	06:18:20	53°	S	06:21:37	10°	E	Visible
20 Feb	-0.6	03:56:57	12°	ESE	03:56:57	12°	ESE	03:57:18	10°	ESE	Visible
20 Feb	-3.1	05:29:56	29°	SW	05:31:13	47°	SSE	05:34:27	10°	E	Visible
21 Feb	-2.6	04:44:35	36°	SE	04:44:35	36°	SE	04:47:16	10°	E	Visible
21 Feb	-3.4	06:17:34	11°	W	06:20:42	58°	S	06:24:00	10°	ESE	Visible
22 Feb	-0.9	03:59:11	16°	E	03:59:11	16°	E	04:00:01	10°	E	Visible
22 Feb	-3.5	05:32:10	31°	WSW	05:33:32	58°	S	05:36:50	10°	E	Visible
23 Feb	-3.1	04:46:44	50°	SE	04:46:44	50°	SE	04:49:38	10°	E	Visible
23 Feb	-3.2	06:19:42	10°	W	06:22:57	50°	SSW	06:26:13	10°	ESE	Visible
24 Feb	-1.1	04:01:17	19°	E	04:01:17	19°	E	04:02:24	10°	E	Visible
24 Feb	-3.5	05:34:15	28°	WSW	05:35:45	55°	S	05:39:03	10°	ESE	Visible
25 Feb	-3.4	04:48:47	56°	SSE	04:48:47	56°	SSE	04:51:51	10°	ESE	Visible
25 Feb	-2.7	06:22:00	10°	W	06:25:05	34°	SSW	06:28:09	10°	SE	Visible
26 Feb	-1.4	04:03:18	21°	ESE	04:03:18	21°	ESE	04:04:36	10°	E	Visible
26 Feb	-3.1	05:36:17	24°	WSW	05:37:52	42°	SSW	05:41:04	10°	SE	Visible
27 Feb	-3.3	04:50:49	49°	S	04:50:49	49°	S	04:53:53	10°	ESE	Visible
28 Feb	-1.5	04:05:23	21°	ESE	04:05:23	21°	ESE	04:06:40	10°	ESE	Visible
28 Feb	-2.5	05:38:22	19°	WSW	05:39:49	26°	SSW	05:42:41	10°	SSE	Visible

Useful Resources

StarLust – A Website for People with a Passion for Astronomy, Stargazing, and Space Exploration.

https://www.spacedaily.com

http://www.n3kl.org/sun/noaa.html

http://skymaps.com/downloads.html

Astronomy Calendar of Celestial Events 2024 – Sea and Sky (seasky.org)

https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/what-are-names-full-moons-throughout-yearhttp://www.deepskywatch.com/deepsky-guide.html

https://www.constellation-guide.com

IMO | International Meteor Organization

https://in-the-sky.org

and of course the Sky at Night magazine!

A monthly look at astronomical events in the sky and on Earth

Compiled and written by Steve Sawyer

Welcome to the December edition of “What’s Up”!

As the nights draw in and the air turns crisp, we reach the finale of another incredible year of astronomy. It feels like no time at all since we started 2025, yet here we are, wrapping up and looking back on twelve months of celestial highlights.

Continue reading →

A monthly look at astronomical events in the sky and on Earth

Compiled and written by Steve Sawyer

Welcome to November What’s up!

As Bonfire Night come closer and the air gets crisp, we’re all familiar with fireworks lighting up our local skies. But did you know the cosmos puts on its own, much grander, fireworks display every single day? Continue reading →

A monthly look at astronomical events in the sky and on Earth

Compiled and written by Steve Sawyer

An artistic impression of The giant radio galaxy Inkathazo (32× size of Milky Way, discovered with MeerKAT)

Radio Astronomy part 1

This month we turn our gaze not to the visible sky, but to the hidden universe revealed by radio astronomy. Where optical telescopes see stars and galaxies shining in light, radio telescopes uncover the cold gas between stars, the jets of black holes, the signals of pulsars, and mysterious bursts from across the cosmos. Continue reading →

A monthly look at astronomical events in the sky and on Earth

Compiled and written by Steve Sawyer

This month’s imagery takes us deep into the realm of cosmology, starting with a stunning simulation of two black holes merging—an immense event where their event horizons interact and distort space-time itself. Continue reading →

A monthly look at astronomical events in the sky and on Earth

Compiled and written by Steve Sawyer

This month, we’re drawing inspiration from the legendary British space artist David A. Hardy, born in 1936. Hardy has enjoyed a long and pioneering career, creating awe-inspiring depictions of the cosmos. His first published work appeared in 1952, and over the decades, his illustrations have graced the pages of numerous magazines and books including several collaborations with Sir Patrick Moore. Continue reading →