Exclusive to members – Popular Astronomy

The March–April 2023 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!

PA_minicoverMar23

 
A new ‘green’ comet for 2023


There’s a new comet in the sky which is already creating a flurry of interest among amateur astronomers, visible at the end of January and early February 2023. Don’t get your hopes up too high, but just be pleasantly surprised if you manage to spot it with binoculars.But don’t expect to see it looking green as the media hype says!

See all the planets at once!



The end of 2022 gives astronomers the chance to see all the planets, plus the Moon, in the evening sky at once. The last time this was possible from the UK was in October 1997 and it won’t be seen again until February 2025. The line-up will only be visible from the whole of the UK for a short time after sunset each evening and will require a clear view of the sky towards the south-west in particular. Uranus and Neptune are in the sky but will only be spotted after twilight.

Why you should join the SPA . . .!

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 do before you can make the plunge. There is a bewildering range of instruments available, but the good news is…

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 a few tips and tricks, you’ll soon start to tell your Aries from your Aldebaran. The first step is to look at…