We pick the best live and virtual astronomy events and resources

PICK OF THE MONTH

Live: Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2021

National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, starts 18 September

You can always find top-flight astrophotography in the APY finalists and this year’s prize-winners knock it out of the park once again.

From now until next summer, London’s National Maritime Museum hosts an exhibition of all the winning images, along with some of the best shortlisted entries.

You’ll find photos of nebulae, the Sun, star trails, aurorae, our Moon, comets and more, picked from the 4,500 entries sent in from all over the world. There’s also the Young Photographer and Best Newcomer winners, and the Annie Maunder Prize for Image Innovation. See www.rmg.co.uk/astrophoto for details.

Live: Exmoor Dark Skies Festival

Exmoor, 22 October–7 November Enjoy events for families and adults taking place all over Exmoor, including stargazing suppers, guided night walks, dusk safaris and expert astronomy talks. For details visit bit.ly/2YbtM9P

Live: Moffat dark sky walk

Dumfries and Galloway, 2 October, 8pm A night-time walk up Gallow Hill in Moffat, a village with International Dark-Sky Community status, including a guided talk about the stars and constellations. Tickets are £15. See bit.ly/3s3vB6A

Live: Scilly Dark Skies Week

St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly, 2–9 October A celebration of grassroots astronomy with stargazing, workshops and speakers, including astrophotographer extraordinaire Damian Peach. Tickets are £175 and include entrance to all the events and guided use of the observatory. Email cosmosscilly@gmail.com to book. Day passes are available nearer the date.

Live: LAS Equinox Sky Camp

Kelling Heath, Norfolk, 4–11 October The largest star party in the UK returns, featuring expert talks and stargazing. If the weather is uncooperative, peruse the huge range of telescopes and equipment at the trade stands and secondhand stalls. See las-skycamp.org for details.

Live: Apollo: A Moon Odyssey

Cavendish Road Primary School, West Didsbury, Manchester, 11 October, 7pmWest Didsbury Astronomical Society welcomes guests to author Andrew Lound’s dramatic telling of the Apollo story, illustrated with images, scale models, sound and music. bit.ly/37vpeiU

Live: Northumberland StarFest

Bellingham, Northumberland, 27–29 October A two-night astronomy-themed break with three days of workshops and presentations, including ‘Get to Know Your Telescope’ and ‘Rocket Building and Launching’. Tickets from £380 for two, including all events, use of telescopes and binoculars, meals and luxury accommodation. astro.ventures/stargazing-festivals/darkskyfest

Online: Tenerife observing session

29 October, 8pm Join a Zoom talk from Mid-Kent Astronomical Society about how to access the Open University’s robotic telescope situated under the dark skies of Tenerife, plus a bonus real-time virtual observing session. Non-members are £3; contact membersec@midkentastro.org.uk (36 hours ahead) to join the Zoom.

IMAGES: KEITH TRUEMAN, NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM