Astronomy

Latest Events

The short nights of summer usually mean little in the way of astronomical activity at 56 degrees north, however, Comet C/2020 F3 NEOWISE has delighted astronomers around the world with a spectacular showing - the first naked eye comet for many years.

After passing around the sun in early July it was soon being reported as naked eye in clear dark skies. Photos started pouring in from across the northern hemisphere. Afer waiting out a few cloudy nights I finally saw NEOWISE for the first time on the 11th July. It was a completely mesmerising sight. I saw it on four subsequent occassions through July.

Introduction

Whilst at University I became a keen amateur astronomer, interested in a variety of different areas including deep sky targets, the planets and Moon, comets and phenomenon closer to home such as Noctilucent Clouds and the Aurora Borealis.

I have two telescopes - an 8" Newtonian reflector (pictured right) and a 3.5" apochromatic refractor and the majority of the reports found in my Observations Log, which contains images, information and observing reports, were made with these 'scopes.

Whilst at University I was a member of the Durham University Astronomy Society serving as both Obs Officer (2004-2005) and President (2006-2007). The Society Website contains a lot of information as well as articles and observing reports.

I was a member of Aberdeen Astronomical Society from 2007 to 2010.

To see all my blog postings related to astronomy please click here.

Special Events

Since becoming interested in astronomy I have tried my best to observe some of the more special and unique events and targets that have cropped up in the skies over the UK. These are reports from some of the best.

• Total Lunar Eclipse - 28th September 2015
• Partial Solar Eclipse - 20th March 2015
• Partial Solar Eclipse - 4th January 2011
• Total Lunar Eclipse - 21st December 2010
• Total Lunar Eclipse - 3rd March 2007
• Partial Lunar Eclipse - 8th September 2006
• Partial Solar Eclipse - 29th March 2006