Future Events The 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. 2022 Year’s Highlights: 3 Jan Quadrantid meteor shower 7 Jan Mercury at Greatest Elongation East 16 Feb Mercury at Greatest Elongation West 20 Mar March equinox 20 March Venus at Greatest Elongation West 22-23 Apr Lyrid meteors (Moon effected) 29 Apr Mercury at Greatest Elongation East 5-6 May Eta Aquarid meteors 31 May Tau Herculids possible meteor show from comet 73P (SW3) breakup 16 Jun Mercury at Greatest Elongation West 21 Jun Summer solstice 24 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 East 23 Sep Autumnal equinox 8-9 Oct Draconids meteors (Moon effected) 8 Oct Mercury at Greatest Elongation West 21-22 Oct Orionid meteors 30 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 solstice 21-22 Dec: Ursid meteors For BST time add 1 hour to UT when applicable (28th March to 31st Oct) 2022 Comets Most 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 basis Currently 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 Events The 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. 2022 Year’s Highlights: 3 Jan Quadrantid meteor shower 7 Jan Mercury at Greatest Elongation East 16 Feb Mercury at Greatest Elongation West 20 Mar March equinox 20 March Venus at Greatest Elongation West 22-23 Apr Lyrid meteors (Moon effected) 29 Apr Mercury at Greatest Elongation East 5-6 May Eta Aquarid meteors 31 May Tau Herculids possible meteor show from comet 73P (SW3) breakup 16 Jun Mercury at Greatest Elongation West 21 Jun Summer solstice 24 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 East 23 Sep Autumnal equinox 8-9 Oct Draconids meteors (Moon effected) 8 Oct Mercury at Greatest Elongation West 21-22 Oct Orionid meteors 30 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 solstice 21-22 Dec: Ursid meteors For BST time add 1 hour to UT when applicable (28th March to 31st Oct) 2022 Comets Most 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 basis Currently 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