© Galloway Astronomy Centre 2023 All images are copyright – M Alexander unless otherwise stated
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 UK was mostly clouded out.
Aurora #3
Aurora #4
Aurora #5
“It’s the best view I’ve ever had” - Prof Ian Morison (Jodrell Bank)
comet image from 2022