Skywatch

BLAZING: Venus is the brightest of the planets this week and can be spotted outside of any heavily-polluted areas

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SKYWATCH: a close encounter of the celestial kind...

BLAZING: Venus is the brightest of the planets this week and can be spotted outside of any heavily-polluted areas

BLAZING: Venus is the brightest of the planets this week and can be spotted outside of any heavily-polluted areas

SKYWATCH: a mixed bag

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says there are dozens and dozens of Starlink satellites orbiting Earth in long trains, like celestial Tour de France riders

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says there are dozens and dozens of Starlink satellites orbiting Earth in long trains, like celestial Tour de France riders

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SKYWATCH: Strange lights sailing across the night sky

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that tonight (Thursday) as soon as the sky begins to darken after sunset, look for a bright star shining low in the sky to the south west

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that tonight (Thursday) as soon as the sky begins to darken after sunset, look for a bright star shining low in the sky to the south west

SKYWATCH: There's something very pretty to see in the west after sunset

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says if you can't quite make Jupiter out with your naked eye try using a pair of binoculars and it should be a lot easier to see

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says if you can't quite make Jupiter out with your naked eye try using a pair of binoculars and it should be a lot easier to see

SKYWATCH: hidden by anything higher than a hedge

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that the biggest world in our solar system, Jupiter, is currently shining just to Venus' left

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that the biggest world in our solar system, Jupiter, is currently shining just to Venus' left

SKYWATCH: Shining brighter than any other planet in the sky

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson warns that looking at the Mercury transit is potentially very dangerous

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson warns that looking at the Mercury transit is potentially very dangerous

SKYWATCH: Don't look - to see transit of Mercury safely you'll need specialised equipment

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says look to the south west after sunset on Hallowe'en and you'll see a beautiful, slender crescent Moon shining to the upper left of a bright star

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says look to the south west after sunset on Hallowe'en and you'll see a beautiful, slender crescent Moon shining to the upper left of a bright star

SKYWATCH: By the light of a sickle-thin crescent Moon

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says look over to the east at around 9pm and you'll see what looks like a small knot of silvery blue stars low in the sky, looking like a mini version of the Big Dipper to the naked eye

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says look over to the east at around 9pm and you'll see what looks like a small knot of silvery blue stars low in the sky, looking like a mini version of the Big Dipper to the naked eye

SKYWATCH: One of the sky's most famous star clusters is shining bright

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says it will be worth keeping an eye open for the Orionids meteor shower which peaks this coming weekend

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says it will be worth keeping an eye open for the Orionids meteor shower which peaks this coming weekend

SKYWATCH: Bright enough to be seen through moonlight and light pollution

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says Jupiter and Saturn are the largest worlds in our solar system, by a long way, and dwarf our own planet

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says Jupiter and Saturn are the largest worlds in our solar system, by a long way, and dwarf our own planet

SKYWATCH: Planets that are like miniature solar systems in their own right

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says this week is a perfect time for any readers out there with no planet spotting experience to find not one but two planets in the sky

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says this week is a perfect time for any readers out there with no planet spotting experience to find not one but two planets in the sky

SKYWATCH: not just one but two planets visible in the sky

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says the International Space Station (ISS) returns to the evening sky this week

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says the International Space Station (ISS) returns to the evening sky this week

SKYWATCH: space station arcs across the sky from west to east

Stuart Atkinson says you don't need a telescope to see Jupiter and Saturn or even binoculars; they look just like fairly bright stars to the naked eye

Stuart Atkinson says you don't need a telescope to see Jupiter and Saturn or even binoculars; they look just like fairly bright stars to the naked eye

SKYWATCH: two huge worlds dominate the sky

on Friday morning (February 1), because we'll be able to see something really special in the sky before sunrise

on Friday morning (February 1), because we'll be able to see something really special in the sky before sunrise

SKYWATCH: going on a bear hunt in the sky

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that the International Space Station will return to our sky from this coming weekend

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that the International Space Station will return to our sky from this coming weekend

Space station returns this weekend

Astronomer STUART ATKINSON writes 'eventually you'll see a meteor skip across the sky'

Astronomer STUART ATKINSON writes 'eventually you'll see a meteor skip across the sky'

Astronomer STUART ATKINSON writes 'eventually you'll see a meteor skip across the sky'

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says on any clear night between now and late August keep an eye open for shooting stars

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says on any clear night between now and late August keep an eye open for shooting stars

Get out into the countryside, away from lights, and watch the sky after midnight

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says as the nights draw in we look forward to seeing more shooting stars than usual because the Perseid shower peaks around August 12 every year

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says as the nights draw in we look forward to seeing more shooting stars than usual because the Perseid shower peaks around August 12 every year

Keep an eye out for Perseid meteors after dark

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says as far as planets are concerned the evening sky belongs to Jupiter and Saturn at the moment

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says as far as planets are concerned the evening sky belongs to Jupiter and Saturn at the moment

SKYWATCH: we're already starting to see some early activity

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says it's definitely worth keeping an eye on the northern sky for noctilucent cloud after 11pm on any clear nights

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says it's definitely worth keeping an eye on the northern sky for noctilucent cloud after 11pm on any clear nights

Milky Way is visible around midnight when the sky is at its darkest

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says its been a fantastic year for noctilucent cloud with lots of them visible from Cumbria. Picture: Stuart Atkinson

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says its been a fantastic year for noctilucent cloud with lots of them visible from Cumbria. Picture: Stuart Atkinson

The 2019 noctilucent cloud season is coming to an end

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says you can tell NLC apart from normal clouds because they shine with a beautiful silvery-blue light, silhouetting the normal clouds

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says you can tell NLC apart from normal clouds because they shine with a beautiful silvery-blue light, silhouetting the normal clouds

Noctilucent clouds: skywatchers really don't want to miss the next big display

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that last Thursday evening (June 20) there was the biggest display of noctilucent clouds for probably five years

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that last Thursday evening (June 20) there was the biggest display of noctilucent clouds for probably five years

Showtime for noctilucent cloud watchers

Noctilucent clouds at Kendal Castle on June 16, 2019. Picture: Stuart Atkinson

Noctilucent clouds at Kendal Castle on June 16, 2019. Picture: Stuart Atkinson

Noctilucent cloud season is shaping up to be one of the best

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that late Saturday night there was a very attractive display of electric blue NLC visible in the northern sky that lasted through the night

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that late Saturday night there was a very attractive display of electric blue NLC visible in the northern sky that lasted through the night

Keep an eye on the northern sky around midnight

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that by midnight Jupiter will be high in the south strikingly bright

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that by midnight Jupiter will be high in the south strikingly bright

Shining low in the south east after sunset

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson is happy to report that the 2019 NLC season has begun, because he's seen his first display of the year

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson is happy to report that the 2019 NLC season has begun, because he's seen his first display of the year

They were only faint, and low down, and looked much more impressive on camera

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says the space station is clearly visible to the naked eye as a bright star moving across the sky

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says the space station is clearly visible to the naked eye as a bright star moving across the sky

You don't need a telescope or even a pair of binoculars to see the space station

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that it's going to be another couple of weeks until the first display of noctilucent clouds, or NLC

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that it's going to be another couple of weeks until the first display of noctilucent clouds, or NLC

At its best during the small hours before dawn

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that if you go outside, put your head right back and look straight up you'll see the familiar shape of the Big Dipper

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that if you go outside, put your head right back and look straight up you'll see the familiar shape of the Big Dipper

Now is a great time for sky watchers to go bear hunting

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says now would be a great time for a brilliant supernova to burst into life in the night sky, outshining the Moon

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says now would be a great time for a brilliant supernova to burst into life in the night sky, outshining the Moon

As the sky darkens look out for celestial pairing

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says as darkness falls you can easily see the constellation of Leo, The Lion, shining high in the south

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says as darkness falls you can easily see the constellation of Leo, The Lion, shining high in the south

As darkness falls the mighty lion rears its head

This coming week astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that the Moon will be the guide to finding one of the loveliest planets in the night sky

This coming week astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that the Moon will be the guide to finding one of the loveliest planets in the night sky

Fifty years since that "one small step" on the Moon

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says look to the south east at around 2am on the next clear morning and you'll see a very bright blue-white star just above the horizon - that's Jupiter

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says look to the south east at around 2am on the next clear morning and you'll see a very bright blue-white star just above the horizon - that's Jupiter

Chance to see some of Jupiter's extended family

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says finding Mars is easy. Just look for the distinctive hourglass pattern of Orion above the south western horizon, then look a little to its right

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says finding Mars is easy. Just look for the distinctive hourglass pattern of Orion above the south western horizon, then look a little to its right

Mars is low in the west after sunset - and its got company

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says cross your fingers for a clear sky on the evening of March 18, because the almost Full Moon will be shining right above Regulus

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says cross your fingers for a clear sky on the evening of March 18, because the almost Full Moon will be shining right above Regulus

The constellations of spring are becoming more visible in the east

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says at this time of year increased activity on the Sun often boosts the number and brightness of auroral displays

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says at this time of year increased activity on the Sun often boosts the number and brightness of auroral displays

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March is always a good time for aurora hunters

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson explains that there's a lot going on in the morning and evening skies at the moment

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson explains that there's a lot going on in the morning and evening skies at the moment

Four worlds stretched out across the southern sky before sunrise

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that if Comet Y1 isn't bright enough to be seen with the naked eye it should be visible through a pair of binoculars

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that if Comet Y1 isn't bright enough to be seen with the naked eye it should be visible through a pair of binoculars

Comet might be bright enough to see with the naked eye this coming weekend

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that look for Mars, then slide your gaze over to its left and find the familiar shape of Orion standing above the southern horizon

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that look for Mars, then slide your gaze over to its left and find the familiar shape of Orion standing above the southern horizon

Orion is one of the most impressive and striking constellations in the whole of the sky

on Friday morning (February 1), because we'll be able to see something really special in the sky before sunrise

on Friday morning (February 1), because we'll be able to see something really special in the sky before sunrise

Three worlds sitting pretty in the pre-dawn sky

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says the most notable astronomical event going on this coming week is happening in the morning sky, before sunrise

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says the most notable astronomical event going on this coming week is happening in the morning sky, before sunrise

Cross your fingers for clear skies before sunrise on January 30

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that unlike a solar eclipse you won't need any special telescopes or filters to watch the lunar eclipse

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that unlike a solar eclipse you won't need any special telescopes or filters to watch the lunar eclipse

Something very special is going on in the sky

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that on January 21 there's going to be a total eclipse of the Moon in the small hours

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that on January 21 there's going to be a total eclipse of the Moon in the small hours

Over the next couple of weeks Venus will have company in the pre-dawn sky

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says you won't need a telescope to see the shooting stars

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says you won't need a telescope to see the shooting stars

Quadrantid meteor shower will peak this year in the early hours of January 4

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says look to the south east before dawn on New Year's Eve and you'll see a lovely waning crescent Moon shining to the upper right of brilliant Venus.

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says look to the south east before dawn on New Year's Eve and you'll see a lovely waning crescent Moon shining to the upper right of brilliant Venus.

There's something very special in the morning sky

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that once Orion has fully cleared the horizon you can use his belt to find the brightest star in the sky - Sirius

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that once Orion has fully cleared the horizon you can use his belt to find the brightest star in the sky - Sirius

With his distinctive belt of three blue-white stars tied around his waist, Orion is very hard to miss

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says Sirius is only 8.7 light years away, the fifth closest star to Earth, and physically almost twice the diameter of our own Sun

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says Sirius is only 8.7 light years away, the fifth closest star to Earth, and physically almost twice the diameter of our own Sun

Sirius is sliding up into the sky looking like a beautiful icy-blue sapphire

Photograph of Venus taken from Kendal Castle

Photograph of Venus taken from Kendal Castle

NASA lander is on a mission to Mars

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says at the moment Venus is rising a good two and a half hours before the Sun, so we get to see it in a very dark sky

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says at the moment Venus is rising a good two and a half hours before the Sun, so we get to see it in a very dark sky

You can see Venus shining brightly in the sky - if you get up early enough!

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says what you're seeing when you look at M31 is another galaxy more than two million light years away

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says what you're seeing when you look at M31 is another galaxy more than two million light years away

When it's nice and dark, just go out and face the south

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that if you look low in the sky to the east at around 8pm you'll see what looks like a small, tight knot of stars hanging above the horizon

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson says that if you look low in the sky to the east at around 8pm you'll see what looks like a small, tight knot of stars hanging above the horizon

SKYWATCH: look low in the sky to the east

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson explains that contrary to what many people think The Big Dipper it is not a constellation, it's an asterism

Astronomer Stuart Atkinson explains that contrary to what many people think The Big Dipper it is not a constellation, it's an asterism

SKYWATCH: look north after twilight and its there right before your eyes