What’s that bright star…?
Have you seen a really bright star in the south over the past few days and wondered what it is? Could it be Jupiter, or Venus, or Sirius maybe? Take a look at our new night sky video which identifies this and many of the other objects you can see in the autumn night skies as seen from the UK.
See how long you can follow Mira’s fade
One of the most interesting variable stars, omicron Ceti, is currently easy to spot in the night sky, after peaking at magnitude 2.3 in mid-August.
See Ceres and Pallas with binoculars
The first two asteroids to be discovered, Ceres and Pallas, can both be spotted with binoculars in the night sky this autumn. They should be fairly easy to locate too, since both lie near recognisable asterisms, or star patterns.
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 September
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.