Strike a light! It’s Vesta
The brightest asteroid, Vesta, is putting in an appearance in the sky this spring. You can find it easily using binoculars, in the constellation of Leo, the Lion.
Space Station visible in early evening
The International Space Station is making a spectacular series of evening passes over the UK, continuing until the first week in February. You can view it from your back garden as long as you have a good view of the sky, so there’s no need to travel anywhere to see it.
Look for Uranus next to Mars
This January, finding the planet Uranus with binoculars is made much easier because there’s a brilliant pointer right beside it – Mars. It’s like having a big arrow in the sky showing you where to look.
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 February
Here is a map of the sky as it will appear from the latitude of London (51° 50′) this month, at 22h UT (GMT).
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…
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…
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.