Galaxy season begins

I think spring has to be my favourite astronomical season – well, just favourite season really! One of the reasons is the number of bright galaxies within easy reach. On 2nd Feb, we had a gloriously clear cold crisp night, and, as well as clocking off a couple of great winter targets, I took the opportunity to start my spring galaxy tour. Read the rest of this entry »

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Mare Humboltianum, Syrtis Major and Delta Geminorum

Another crisp cold, clear night last night; lovely! As for the last two outings, I looked at the Moon, Mars and a double. Read the rest of this entry »

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Mars, of course, plus some moon and doubles.

Got a couple of nights’ observation to report, although I got very fed up the ten days before that with a moon-less sky being hidden under cloud for days on end. Read the rest of this entry »

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Bird silhouettes: guess who!

Having a later-than-normal breakfast today, there was quite a lot of bird activity through the window against a clear blue morning sky. I wonder who these ones were! Suggestions welcome. Read the rest of this entry »

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The sword of Orion and other stellar beauties

Ahhhhh!!!!!!  After 18 days without the stars, back they came on a beautiful crystal clear night. I was out until my back ached and I froze. Refreshing stuff; good for the soul.

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Recording the deep snow

I’ve been “snowed under” at work, so have had to postpone a post (following this?) about snow!  Since this was the deepest snow for 20 years or so, a few photos for posterity seemed like a good idea. Read the rest of this entry »

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Four seasons of the mini-meadow

With the great white-out in full swing here in York, I thought I would show you the mini-meadow as it now looks, and a look back at how it has changed over the last year. Read the rest of this entry »

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Partial Lunar Eclipse

A happy new year to you all. On New Year’s Eve, what else would I be doing but observing the partial lunar eclipse? This was unfortunately timed for kid-bath-and-story time, but my other half Emese stepped gallantly in and substituted for me. The pressure was on to make a good show. Read the rest of this entry »

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Craters Kepler, Marius and Marius Hills

A lovely day 12 moon shone high yesterday afternoon and as the sun set, I took the scope out to gaze and sketch for an hour. Read the rest of this entry »

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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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