On Christmas Day 2021, astronomers and scientists around the world got the best Christmas present they could have hoped for - the successful launch of the James Webb space telescope. The cost of the telescope was way over budget and had been delayed more times than one could count. Finally, it was in space and … Continue reading The First James Webb Images
For the second month in a row, it doesn't truly get dark during July. For the sky to be completely dark, the Sun must get at least 18 degrees below the horizon and this only happens on the last 2 days of July from Ireland. The planets are starting to make their way from the … Continue reading What Can I See in the Sky in July 2022?
Early on the morning of 14th December 1972, Eugene Cernan climbed back into the Apollo 17 capsule and concluded the last EVA (spacewalk) of the Apollo program. With the 50th anniversary of this event approaching in December, Cernan still holds the record for the last human to walk on the Moon. This is all about … Continue reading Artemis – The Return to the Moon
It never truly gets dark this month. For the sky to be completely dark, the Sun must get at least 18 degrees below the horizon and this never happens in June from Ireland. The summer solstice occurs this year on 21st June. The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, in terms of … Continue reading What Can I See in the Sky in June 2022?
This month sees the evenings grow longer which means less hours of darkness. However, as we are entering the summer, evenings are also getting warmer which makes it more comfortable to go out and enjoy the sky. This month, the highlight will be a total lunar eclipse where the Moon will go a deep red … Continue reading What to See in the Sky in May 2022?
We are now in the month of April and the spring equinox is behind us. The clocks have gone forward and the Sun now sets at 20.00 at that start of the month. This still gives loads of time to get out and observe but also means we can enjoy longer evenings. The last two … Continue reading What Can I See in the Sky in April 2022?
30 years ago we knew for certain of 8 planets in the Solar System. On the 9th January 1992, the first confirmed planet orbiting another star was announced. A planet orbiting another star is called an exoplanet. Their discovery changed the way we think about the universe. Overnight it was proven that our solar system … Continue reading What is an Exoplanet?
The month of March is upon us which means it's officially spring. The spring equinox occurs on 20th March. This is the time when the Sun crosses the celestial equator and the length of the day and night are equal. After this the nights will be shorter than the days. In Ireland, the clocks also … Continue reading What Can I See in the Sky in March 2022?
As we head into the second month of 2022 and the last month of winter, we will start to see the days get noticeably longer. The sun sets at 18:00 by the end of the month, which still leaves plenty of time to get out and look at the sky without staying up late. Clear … Continue reading What Can I See in the Sky in February 2022?
We have now passed the winter solstice and although we won't really notice it yet, the days are starting to get longer. Despite this, we are still in the depths of winter and January is one of the coldest months of the year. You would expect that the coldest days of the year would coincide … Continue reading What Can I See in the Sky in January 2022?
Paul Smith 