Future EventsThe night sky here at any time of the year is full of beautiful sights and some surprises. Events such as auroras or comets are unpredictable, but when visible will be highlighted on the Home Page and full details will be posted here. As they are observed further details will be posted on the Events Page.If you are planning a trip to the Galloway Astronomy Centre the following astronomical events may help in deciding when to book.2022Year’s Highlights:3 Jan Quadrantid meteor shower7 Jan Mercury at Greatest Elongation East16 Feb Mercury at Greatest Elongation West20 Mar March equinox20 March Venus at Greatest Elongation West22-23 Apr Lyrid meteors (Moon effected)29 Apr Mercury at Greatest Elongation East5-6 May Eta Aquarid meteors31 May Tau Herculids possible meteor show from comet 73P (SW3) breakup16 Jun Mercury at Greatest Elongation West21 Jun Summer solstice24 June Dawn line up of Mercury (v faint), Venus, Uranus (v faint), Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn 28-29 Jul Delta Aquarids meteors 12-13 Aug Perseid meteors (Moon effected)27 Aug Mercury at Greatest Elongation East23 Sep Autumnal equinox8-9 Oct Draconids meteors (Moon effected)8 Oct Mercury at Greatest Elongation West21-22 Oct Orionid meteors30 Oct to 10th Nov Taurids meteor swarm (Moon effected)17-18 Nov: Leonid meteors (Moon effected)13-14 Dec: Geminid meteors (Moon effected)21 Dec: Winter solstice21-22 Dec: Ursid meteorsFor BST time add 1 hour to UT when applicable (28th March to 31st Oct)2022 CometsMost comets do not show much of a tail and look like round fuzzy blobs. In dark skies with little light pollution a 7th magnitude (mag) comet should be visible in binoculars or small telescope. A 5th mag comet or brighter will be visible to the unaided eye.A comet is highly unpredictable and can brighten or fade rapidly so it is worth watching it on a regular basisCurrently there are no bright comets expected in 2022. We hope further new discoveries will be made during the year.Further details of comets and track maps can be found on the COMETS page--5 Days either side of the New Moon will always give the darkest skies. This is needed for seeing fainter nebulae and galaxies. Planets (when visible) and brighter star clusters can be viewed at any phase of the Moon.
Future EventsThe night sky here at any time of the year is full of beautiful sights and some surprises. Events such as auroras or comets are unpredictable, but when visible will be highlighted on the Home Page and full details will be posted here. As they are observed further details will be posted on the Events Page.If you are planning a trip to the Galloway Astronomy Centre the following astronomical events may help in deciding when to book.2022Year’s Highlights:3 Jan Quadrantid meteor shower7 Jan Mercury at Greatest Elongation East16 Feb Mercury at Greatest Elongation West20 Mar March equinox20 March Venus at Greatest Elongation West22-23 Apr Lyrid meteors (Moon effected)29 Apr Mercury at Greatest Elongation East5-6 May Eta Aquarid meteors31 May Tau Herculids possible meteor show from comet 73P (SW3) breakup16 Jun Mercury at Greatest Elongation West21 Jun Summer solstice24 June Dawn line up of Mercury (v faint), Venus, Uranus (v faint), Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn 28-29 Jul Delta Aquarids meteors 12-13 Aug Perseid meteors (Moon effected)27 Aug Mercury at Greatest Elongation East23 Sep Autumnal equinox8-9 Oct Draconids meteors (Moon effected)8 Oct Mercury at Greatest Elongation West21-22 Oct Orionid meteors30 Oct to 10th Nov Taurids meteor swarm (Moon effected)17-18 Nov: Leonid meteors (Moon effected)13-14 Dec: Geminid meteors (Moon effected)21 Dec: Winter solstice21-22 Dec: Ursid meteorsFor BST time add 1 hour to UT when applicable (28th March to 31st Oct)2022 CometsMost comets do not show much of a tail and look like round fuzzy blobs. In dark skies with little light pollution a 7th magnitude (mag) comet should be visible in binoculars or small telescope. A 5th mag comet or brighter will be visible to the unaided eye.A comet is highly unpredictable and can brighten or fade rapidly so it is worth watching it on a regular basisCurrently there are no bright comets expected in 2022. We hope further new discoveries will be made during the year.Further details of comets and track maps can be found on the COMETS page
Future EventsThe night sky here at any time of the year is full of beautiful sights and some surprises. Events such as auroras or comets are unpredictable, but when visible will be highlighted on the Home Page and full details will be posted here. As they are observed further details will be posted on the Events Page.If you are planning a trip to the Galloway Astronomy Centre the following astronomical events may help in deciding when to book.2022Year’s Highlights:3 Jan Quadrantid meteor shower7 Jan Mercury at Greatest Elongation East16 Feb Mercury at Greatest Elongation West20 Mar March equinox20 March Venus at Greatest Elongation West22-23 Apr Lyrid meteors (Moon effected)29 Apr Mercury at Greatest Elongation East5-6 May Eta Aquarid meteors31 May Tau Herculids possible meteor show from comet 73P (SW3) breakup16 Jun Mercury at Greatest Elongation West21 Jun Summer solstice24 June Dawn line up of Mercury (v faint), Venus, Uranus (v faint), Moon, Mars, Jupiter & Saturn 28-29 Jul Delta Aquarids meteors 12-13 Aug Perseid meteors (Moon effected)27 Aug Mercury at Greatest Elongation East23 Sep Autumnal equinox8-9 Oct Draconids meteors (Moon effected)8 Oct Mercury at Greatest Elongation West21-22 Oct Orionid meteors30 Oct to 10th Nov Taurids meteor swarm (Moon effected)17-18 Nov: Leonid meteors (Moon effected)13-14 Dec: Geminid meteors (Moon effected)21 Dec: Winter solstice21-22 Dec: Ursid meteorsFor BST time add 1 hour to UT when applicable (28th March to 31st Oct)2022 CometsMost comets do not show much of a tail and look like round fuzzy blobs. In dark skies with little light pollution a 7th magnitude (mag) comet should be visible in binoculars or small telescope. A 5th mag comet or brighter will be visible to the unaided eye.A comet is highly unpredictable and can brighten or fade rapidly so it is worth watching it on a regular basisCurrently there are no bright comets expected in 2022. We hope further new discoveries will be made during the year.Further details of comets and track maps can be found on the COMETS page