Exclusive to members – Popular Astronomy
The May-June issue of our bimonthly magazine is out now. It is packed with interesting articles, but you won’t find it in the shops! That’s because Popular Astronomy is available exclusively to members.
To get your own copy, plus all the other benefits of belonging to Britain’s brightest astronomical society, click here now to become a member of the SPA!
Look for noctilucent clouds
Midsummer skies are not ideal for stargazing as it doesn’t get dark until late in the UK. But this is the time of year when spectacular clouds can appear at the edge of space.
An early morning lunar eclipse
Update: 10 am, 16 May Cloudy conditions prevailed over much of the UK but here are a couple of photos sent to us by Michael Fullerton of Norwich: Michael reports:…
Exploring Gemini
Everyone’s heard of it, and lots of people may think of it as ‘their’ constellation – Gemini, the Twins. It’s famous because it’s in the Zodiac, the path in the sky taken by the planets and indeed the Sun and Moon. In March 2022 there are no planets in Gemini, so its pattern of stars shows up clearly.
Why you should join the SPA . . . and Vicky’s latest live video!
Covid-19 and the SPA
SPA meetings, and our Pop Astro Live shows, are being held online until further notice. Please check the meetings page for latest status of all events.
The night sky in May
Here is a map of the sky as it will appear from the latitude of London (51° 50′) this month, at 22h UT (GMT).
Choosing a telescope
If you’re interested in astronomy, it stands to reason that you need a telescope, and the bigger the better. But for most of us, there’s a lot of research to…
Our observing sections
Whatever your interests, we’ve a section to suit you. Get expert advice and send in your own observations.
Our weekend courses
The SPA runs an annual weekend course where members can observe and learn together.
How to start stargazing
Learning the sky might seem tricky at first. There are so many stars, and unlike visiting a new town or city, the stars keep on moving around! But don’t give up! With…
Meetings and Events
The SPA usually holds regular Saturday meetings every three months in London, though these are currently being broadcast online instead due to the coronavirus.