Astronomical Events Observed - 2023

Green Flash 5th Feb 2023 The Green Flash is caused by atmospheric distortion to the last bit of the Sun as it sets Never look directly at the Sun. Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF 17th/18th Jan 2023 Although I have imaged and watched this comet since it appeared December 2022 tonight was the first time I was able to observed it using 8x56 binoculars. It was an obvious oval shape with a bright core located between Bootes and Hercules. Approx +6mag Update 2nd/3rd Feb 2023 The comet is at its closest to Earth approx 42,500,000Km - unable to view due to cloud. Update 4th/5th Feb 2023 Comet easily seen in full moonlight between Andromeda and Cassiopeia. Being so close to the Earth it is moving rapidly. Update 22nd/23rd Feb 2023 The comet is still quite easy to find in dark skies with my 8x56 binoculars. It is smaller and fainter as it moves further away from Earth. Approx +9mag Distanceis now over 116 million Km Jupiter Moon Venus Conjunction 22nd/23rd Feb 2023 Sitting about 4 degrees either side of the crescent Moon with Jupiter uppermost and brighter Venus the conjuction was quite a spectacle. While occurring almost every year it is always worth seeing. Venus will approach Jupiter until on the 1st March they will be only 38 arcmins apart. Aurora #1 25th/26th Feb 2023 The first aurora seen in 2023. A noticeable glow along the northern horizon when imaged showed a band of green aurora. Though magnetometers showed there should be almost no activity. Acitivty was noticeable by eye despite a bright Moon images as always showed the more subtle movement. The show was ended by cloud moving in about 1am. The Sun is very active this year so potentially good for auroras. Aurora #2 26th/27th Feb 2023 In the last few days there was a large fast CME which arrived early sparking a bright even visible to the south coast of the UK. The event was stilll showing on magnetometers all through the next day. Right behind was a larger explosion which triggered even brighter aurora on 27th/28th. But UKwas mostly clouded out.

comet image from 2022

Astronomical Events Observed - 2023

Green Flash 5th Feb 2023 The Green Flash is caused by atmospheric distortion to the last bit of the Sun as it sets Never look directly at the Sun. Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF 17th/18th Jan 2023 Although I have imaged and watched this comet since it appeared December 2022 tonight was the first time I was able to observed it using 8x56 binoculars. It was an obvious oval shape with a bright core located between Bootes and Hercules. Approx +6mag Update 2nd/3rd Feb 2023 The comet is at its closest to Earth approx 42,500,000Km - unable to view due to cloud. Update 4th/5th Feb 2023 Comet easily seen in full moonlight between Andromeda and Cassiopeia. Being so close to the Earth it is moving rapidly. Update 22nd/23rd Feb 2023 The comet is still quite easy to find in dark skies with my 8x56 binoculars. It is smaller and fainter as it moves further away from Earth. Approx +9mag Distanceis now over 116 million Km Jupiter Moon Venus Conjunction 22nd/23rd Feb 2023 Sitting about 4 degrees either side of the crescent Moon with Jupiter uppermost and brighter Venus the conjuction was quite a spectacle. While occurring almost every year it is always worth seeing. Venus will approach Jupiter until on the 1st March they will be only 38 arcmins apart. Aurora #1 25th/26th Feb 2023 The first aurora seen in 2023. A noticeable glow along the northern horizon when imaged showed a band of green aurora. Though magnetometers showed there should be almost no activity. Acitivty was noticeable by eye despite a bright Moon images as always showed the more subtle movement. The show was ended by cloud moving in about 1am. The Sun is very active this year so potentially good for auroras. Aurora #2 26th/27th Feb 2023 In the last few days there was a large fast CME which arrived early sparking a bright even visible to the south coast of the UK. The event was stilll showing on magnetometers all through the next day. Right behind was a larger explosion which triggered even brighter aurora on 27th/28th. But UKwas mostly clouded out.

comet image from 2022