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. This year all the best meteor showers Perseids, Orionids and Geminids occur with no moonlight giving the best chance to see more faint meteors. 2023 Year’s Highlights: 3 Jan Quadrantid meteor shower 22 Jan Venus and Saturn comjunction low in south west horizon 17.00UT 22 Feb Moon, Venus & Jupiter conjunction in south west 18.00UT 1 Mar Venus & Jupiter conjunction in south west18.00UT 11 Mar Mercury at Greatest Elongation East 20 Mar March equinox 22-23 Apr Lyrid meteors 5-6 May Eta Aquarid meteors 17 May Conjunction of Jupiter and crescent Moon (start 13.30UT). Daylight event - poss occultation 21 Jun Summer solstice 28-29 Jul Delta Aquarids meteors 12-13 Aug Perseid meteors 27 Aug Mercury at Greatest Elongation East 23 Sep Autumnal equinox 8-9 Oct Draconids meteors (Moon effected after midnight) 8 Oct Mercury at Greatest Elongation West 10 Oct Moon and Venus conjunction in east 05.00UT 21-22 Oct Orionid meteors 9 Nov Occultation of Venus by the crescent Moon (starts 09.20UT ends 10.20UT). Daylight event. 17-18 Nov: Leonid meteors 13-14 Dec: Geminid meteors 21 Dec: Winter solstice 21-22 Dec: Ursid meteors For BST time add 1 hour to UT when applicable (28th March to 30th Oct) 2023 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 There are comets visible in 2023. Details of comets and track maps can be found on the COMETS page Moon Phases 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 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. This year all the best meteor showers Perseids, Orionids and Geminids occur with no moonlight giving the best chance to see more faint meteors. 2023 Year’s Highlights: 3 Jan Quadrantid meteor shower 22 Jan Venus and Saturn comjunction low in south west horizon 17.00UT 22 Feb Moon, Venus and Jupiter conjunction in south west 18.00UT 1 Mar Venus and Jupiter conjunction in south west 18.00UT 11 Mar Mercury at Greatest Elongation East 20 Mar March equinox 22-23 Apr Lyrid meteors 5-6 May Eta Aquarid meteors 17 May Conjunction of Jupiter and crescent Moon (start 13.30UT). Daylight event - possible occultation 21 Jun Summer solstice 28-29 Jul Delta Aquarids meteors 12-13 Aug Perseid meteors 27 Aug Mercury at Greatest Elongation East 23 Sep Autumnal equinox 8-9 Oct Draconids meteors (Moon effected after midnight) 8 Oct Mercury at Greatest Elongation West 10 Oct Moon and Venus conjunction in east 05.00UT 21-22 Oct Orionid meteors 9 Nov Occultation of Venus by the crescent Moon (starts 09.20UT ends 10.20UT). Daylight event. 17-18 Nov: Leonid meteors 13-14 Dec: Geminid meteors 21 Dec: Winter solstice 21-22 Dec: Ursid meteors For BST time add 1 hour to UT when applicable (28th March to 30th Oct) 2023 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 There are comets visible in 2023. Details of comets and track maps can be found on the COMETS page Moon Phases 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.