We pick the best live and virtual astronomy events and resources this month
PICK OF THE MONTH
LIVE Horizons: A 21st-Century Space Odyssey
Professor Brian Cox tours the UK with his epic big-visuals show, 1 August –2 October
An awe-inspiring cinematic exploration of the Universe, combined with physicist Brian Cox’s trademark impassioned style and in-depth knowledge promises to make this an unmissable show. Horizons visits alien worlds, supermassive black holes and travels back to the time before the Big Bang, tackling all the big questions along the way. This home leg of his global arena tour sees events at the Royal Opera House and a one-off at the O2, followed by stops all across the UK. Cox is joined by his co-host on The Infinite Monkey Cage, award-winning comedian Robin Ince. Tickets from £10. briancoxlive.co.uk
Live Watch the Perseids
Lighthouse Road, Swanage, Dorset, 12 and 13 August, 9pm Join Wessex Astronomical Society at its observatory in Durlston Country Park for an evening meteor-spotting as the Perseids peak, as well as spying Saturn and the summer constellations. wessex-astro.org.uk
Live Shadows in Space and the Stories they Tell
Methodist Church Hall, Earlsdon, Coventry, 12 August, 7:15pm Coventry and Warwickshire Astronomical Society hosts a speaker on the second Friday of every month. This month, outreach astronomer and astrophotography expert Mary McIntyre discusses shadows: what can we learn about other worlds and their moons just by studying the shadows there? www.covastro.org.uk
Live The Asteroid Belt
Summercourt New Memorial Hall, Cornwall, 18 August, 7:30pm All visitors and potential new members are welcome to Kernow Astronomers’ talks on the third Thursday of each month. In August, member Noel Fenwick looks at the discovery of the asteroid belt, the controversy it caused and what we now know about the region. kernowastronomers.com
Live Dalby Forest Star Party
North Yorkshire, 18–22 August Scarborough & Ryedale Astronomical Society’s event for experienced amateur astronomers returns for three nights of stargazing and astrophotography, plus trade stalls and guest speakers, all under the super-dark conditions of a Dark Sky Discovery Site. Tickets from £10. To book, visit www.scarborough-ryedale-as.org.uk/saras/starfest/starfest-2022
Live Our Solar System show
Armagh Planetarium, Northern Ireland, every day, 12pm In this brand-new interactive dome show, your planetarium guide will take you for an up-close view of the planets and to safely gaze at our star, the Sun.
Running time 35 minutes. Suitable for all ages. Adults £9, children £6. www.armagh.space
Live Solar observing
Dunwich Beach, Suffolk, 28 August, 11am Unless clouds stop play, join DASH Astro for a safe, guided three-hour solar observing session, meeting at the National Trust car park at Dunwich Beach. www.dash-astro.co.uk/events