From near to far

On 21st December there was a fantastic conjunction of the crescent moon with Jupiter and Neptune. Read the rest of this entry »

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Mars, and the great nebula in Orion

Well, I’ve been saving these winter wonders for a good time, and I think the week before Xmas is a good one. Read the rest of this entry »

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More aurigan mists, and a seven star delight

Thursday night was beautifully clear, and I spent as long as I could outside before I froze, which was only about an hour in the end. I completed the last two of the Messier open clusters in Auriga, and then headed for Orion. Read the rest of this entry »

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Mystical aurigan ghost

My first december stargaze with the scope. I’ve been nursing a horrid cough, so haven’t braved the cold for some days, plus of course it’s been mainly wet. Read the rest of this entry »

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A catching-up megapost

Didn’t have time to post a load of stuff recently, so here it all is in a big soup: mushrooms, a conjunction and some double stars. Read the rest of this entry »

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A waterfall, a crab, a pirate moon, a distant galaxy and the wonder-star

Terrific clear dark skies on Friday night meant an hour out with the scope for a tour of some of the autumn sky’s greatest targets. Read the rest of this entry »

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A snowball, two clusters and a cheshire cat

We had two gorgeous nights with clear dark skies recently. Since I am nursing a cough, I only went out briefly on one of them, and had some success with some Caldwell objects and with a binocular cluster that “I” discovered. Read the rest of this entry »

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The stars shone through a crystal clear sky…

Well….through a suburban Yorkshire sky. But they were gorgeous anyway…..I’ve missed them. The moon, bless it, was out of the way. I do like the moon, but I also like my nights dark, and I love the stars. Read the rest of this entry »

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Some mini-meadow mushrooms

It’s been ages since my last wildlife post. Partly this is because all the flowers and insects (except mozzies) have disappeared now. However, I’ve been saving these fungi for a suitable moment…. Read the rest of this entry »

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A fruity night out

Yesterday evening we were doing the traditional Guy Fawkes thing: setting off fireworks. After all that was over, the sky cleared up beautifully, and being the start of the weekend, that meant a late night under the stars with the scope. Hooray, I was so happy. Read the rest of this entry »

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