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Recent Photographs Archive Planets Transit of Venus Sun Clouds Sketches
What to Look at??
Got a new small Telescope, Binoculars, Camera for Christmas? Not sure where to start ? Here are a few suggestions ... clear skies permitting!!
The Moon
Not very obliging at Christmas - rises in the East around 3 to 4 am - a waning crescent. Appearing closer to dawn until it disappears as the 'new' moon on the 31st December and gradually appears in the west following close to the sun as it sets. Look for it soon after the sun sets in the west - or in the daytime sky, being careful not to catch the setting sun in your scope. Each evening it will set later till it in a better place for viewing as it approaches the first quarter on Jan 6th
Planets
Mercury - a morning planet, small crescent, rather near the sun as it rises in the mornings so be very careful if you are searching for it not to accidentally catch the sun through your scope/binocs. A difficult planet to catch ...
Jupiter too is a morning planet at present - rising around 5 hours before the sun but low in the south to south-east. A wonderful sight as a rule but not in a good position right now.
Venus
Do your best to get a glimpse of Venus soon - at present this bright planet can be seen in to the south of south-west as the sun goes down. It's rather low so you'll need a reasonably clear view in that direction. In a week or so it will be too close to the sun to spot and after mid January will be a morning planet rather than our bright evening one. Right now it has a thin crescent shape - a lovely sight.
Mars
Still bright through the evening in the south but getting further away and more egg-shaped. still has its pale red/orange look. Catch it now before it gets any smaller, It is in a good position high in the southern sky even though it has passed its best for the time being.
Saturn
The planet of the moment!! Rising late evening in the east and visible through the night. Depending on what you are viewing with there are the rings, the Cassini division, cloud bands and its moons to see. And if you've only got your eyes then admire its yellowness ...
Uranus and Neptune - you'll need your star charts to find these ...
Need a map of the night sky? Try the one on the SPA web site
Constellations, Galaxies and Clusters etc.
Too numerous to mention all the possibilities -but here are some of the main ones ...
and many, many more ... check out the sky maps ...
Want more on the Constellations? Try here
Where to get more information on what is visible during January?
Try Jodrell Bank
