Naked-eye sights<\/strong><\/h2>1. A satellite passing overhead<\/strong><\/h3>As satellites orbit Earth, they catch the sunlight and reflect it down to the ground which is why we can see them in the night sky. If it\u2019s dark where you are and you happen to see this glint it can be quite spectacular, especially if you aren\u2019t expecting it. A quick search online will reveal numerous websites and apps that tell you when a satellite is going to be visible from your location.<\/p>
2. The Northern Hemisphere summer Milky Way\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Seeing the Milky Way<\/a> in Sagittarius and Scutum is one of the highlights of a northern hemisphere summer night. Either sit back and take it all in with the naked eye, or explore the rich star fields with binoculars.<\/p>3. The Belt of Venus<\/strong><\/h3>When the Sun goes down on a clear night you might be able to spot a pink and purple band above the horizon opposite the sunset. This beautiful atmospheric phenomenon is known as the Belt of Venus<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>4. Earthshine<\/strong><\/h3>If you\u2019ve ever seen a thin crescent Moon you\u2019ve probably also seen earthshine<\/a>. This is where the unlit portion of the Moon is illuminated by light scattered off our planet’s oceans and cloud tops.<\/p>5. The Cygnus Rift<\/strong><\/h3>The Milky Way cuts straight through the constellation of Cygnus<\/a>, as does a dark band known as the Cygnus Rift. The rift is the silhouette of vast clouds of dust and gas within our Galaxy.<\/p>![\"International](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2019\/02\/ISS-over-RV_0-aafa6fe-e1613983946245.jpg\")
International Space Station over Ribblehead Viaduct by Pete Collins, Yorkshire Dales. Equipment: Canon 6D, Samyang 14mm f2.8 lens at f4, iso200.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\u00a06. A bright pass of the ISS<\/strong><\/h3>Sometimes it\u2019s all too easy to forget that there\u2019s a huge laboratory orbiting Earth. Seeing the International Space Station<\/a> shining brightly as it passes overhead dramatically brings it all home.<\/p>7. A circumzenithal arc<\/strong><\/h3>This colourful atmospheric phenomenon is only visible during the daytime, high up overhead. These rainbow-coloured arcs are caused by ice crystals refracting sunlight.<\/p>
8. A noctilucent cloud display<\/strong><\/h3>In the early summer months, after sunset and before sunrise, it\u2019s sometimes possible to see noctilucent clouds<\/a>, or ‘night shining’ clouds. Caused by tiny ice crystals high in our atmosphere reflecting light from the Sun, these clouds create beautiful glowing patterns.<\/p>9. A big meteor shower<\/strong><\/h3>Sometimes the conditions are right for one of the big meteor showers \u2013 the Geminids<\/a>, Leonids<\/a> and Perseids<\/a> in particular \u2013 to put on a really cracking show, with heightened levels of activity. If you catch one it won\u2019t be a night you soon forget. Find out when the next meteor shower<\/a> is taking place.<\/p>10. A meteor fireball\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>It\u2019s not uncommon to see a few shooting stars while out observing, but meteor fireballs are always memorable. Some leave a glowing trail behind them for a split second; occasionally they break up into several glittering fragments.<\/p>![\"Fireball](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/09\/08.MichaelKleinburger_FireballMeteor-1024x820.jpg?fit=800%2C641\")
Fireball meteor captured by Michael Kleinburger, Hochkar, Austria, 15 July 2023Equipment: Astro-modded Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera, Nikon Z 50mm lens<\/figcaption><\/figure>11. The southern hemisphere Milky Way<\/strong><\/h3>Truth be told, the southern hemisphere Milky Way is more impressive than what\u2019s visible far north of the equator. On a clear night the area from Sagittarius<\/a> and Scorpius to Carina and Crux is breathtaking.<\/p>12. The Magellanic Clouds<\/strong><\/h3>Appearing as misty patches of light to the naked eye, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds \u2013 both galaxies near to the Milky Way \u2013 are surely on every astronomer\u2019s wish list. You\u2019ll need dark, transparent skies to see them well.<\/p>
13. A lunar halo<\/strong><\/h3>Just occasionally, often when the Moon is near to full, you might spot a large ring of faint light around our nearest neighbour. This is an atmospheric phenomenon known as a lunar halo<\/a>, created by ice crystals refracting the light from the Moon.<\/p>14. The aurora<\/strong><\/h3>Few natural phenomena evoke such intense feelings of awe as the aurora. The source of many myths and legends, a strong auroral display is one of the most beautiful and dynamic celestial events that can be seen.<\/p>
15. The Zodiacal Light<\/strong><\/h3>You\u2019ll need really clear, dark skies to see the Zodiacal Light<\/a>, which amazingly is light scattered off tiny dust particles in the plane of the Solar System. Spring and autumn are a good time to look out for it.<\/p>![\"Zodiacal](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2021\/05\/07_Zodiacal-Light_Joshua-Rhoades-ad215ac.jpg\")
Zodiacal Light captured by Joshua Rhoades, Mason County, Illinois, USA, 7 March 2021.<\/figcaption><\/figure>16. The Gegenschein<\/strong><\/h3>Formed in the same way as the Zodiacal Light, the Gegenschein, or \u2018counterglow\u2019, also requires incredibly dark, transparent skies to see. It appears as a patch of extremely faint light directly opposite the location of the Sun in the sky, hence its name.<\/p>
17. A bright naked-eye comet<\/strong><\/h3>As astronomers we all long for the appearance of a bright naked-eye comet with glowing tails resplendent against a starry sky. Find out what’s visible currently in our guide to comets and asteroids tonight<\/a>.<\/p>18. A daylight meteor fireball\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you\u2019ve seen a daylight meteor fireball, consider yourself extraordinarily lucky. Spotting a space rock blazing across the daytime sky ranks among the most spectacular\u00a0 sights in this list.<\/p>
Solar sights<\/strong><\/h2>![\"Solar](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/10\/11.SolarProminenceKevinStewart-78b377a.jpg\")
Solar prominence captured by Kevin Stewart, Northumberland, UK, August 27 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>19. A solar prominence<\/strong><\/h3>Solar prominences<\/a> are huge tendrils of plasma that appear to reach up above the Sun\u2019s limb. Watching their shape change over a few hours is fascinating, but you will need a specialist hydrogen-alpha solar telescope to see them. Never observe the Sun with the naked eye or anything but certified solar-viewing equipment. That goes for all the solar targets on our list.<\/p>20. A sunspot\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>When powerful magnetic fields in the Sun stop hot material from rising, a cooler region forms on the Sun\u2019s \u2018surface\u2019. These \u2018sunspots<\/a>\u2019 appear black in contrast to the bright surroundings. They can be seen with a telescope fitted with a specialist solar filter.<\/p>21. A solar filament<\/strong><\/h3>A solar filament is exactly the same object as a prominence except it\u2019s seen in silhouette against the bright disc of the Sun. Like prominences, you\u2019ll also need a specialist hydrogen-alpha solar telescope to see them.<\/p>
22. A total solar eclipse<\/strong><\/h3>When it comes to celestial events the king of them all has to be the total solar eclipse<\/a>. Caused when the Moon completely obscures the disc of the Sun they are a truly awe-inspiring experience. Find out when the next eclipse<\/a> is taking place.<\/p>23. An annular eclipse\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>An annular solar eclipse<\/a> occurs when the Moon doesn\u2019t completely block the blazing disc of Sun, creating the famous \u2018ring of fire\u2019. Since some part of the Sun is always visible, you must use a specialist certified solar filter to watch an annular eclipse safely.<\/p>24. The transit of Mercury\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A transit of Mercury<\/a> is when tiny planet Mercury passes across the face of the Sun. You\u2019ll need to![\"Mercury](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2019\/02\/Mercury-Transit-9th-May-2016-bd3a455.jpg\")
Mercury in Transit by Phil Benson, SE Essex, UK.<\/figcaption><\/figure>25. A sundog<\/strong><\/h3>On a sunny day, when the sky is strewn with wispy clouds, it\u2019s not uncommon to spot a parhelion or \u2018sundog<\/a>\u2019. These rainbow coloured patches of light, some way to the side of the Sun, are formed by ice crystals within the thin clouds.<\/p>26. A solar flare<\/strong><\/h3>If you own a hydrogen-alpha solar telescope<\/a> it\u2019s worth keeping an eye on any angry active regions and sunspots you see. Occasionally they release powerful solar flares \u2013 huge explosions that appear like a spot of bright white light.<\/p>The Moon<\/strong><\/h2>27. Crater Copernicus<\/strong><\/h3>Crater Copernicus<\/a> has it all. Measuring almost 100km across, its walls are intricately terraced and a beautiful ray system surrounds the crater. The nights of 14 and 15 September are a perfect time to observe it.<\/p>28. Mons Piton and Mons Pico\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>These two lunar mountains stand out conspicuously from the smooth surface of the northern Mare Imbrium<\/a>. Mons Pico can be found south of the large crater Plato, while Mons Piton lies west of the crater Cassini.<\/p>29. The lunar maria<\/strong><\/h3>The lunar maria<\/a> or ‘lunar seas’ are huge basalt plains formed by floods of lava. You can see them with the naked eye, but a small scope can reveal the interesting textures and varied colourations of their seemingly smooth surfaces.<\/p>30. A lunar occultation\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A lunar occultation<\/a> occurs when the Moon passes in front of a bright star or planet. There\u2019s nothing quite like watching the beautiful rings of Saturn or Jupiter and its Galilean moons pop out from behind the Moon\u2019s jagged edge. Find out more in our guide one how to calculate and observe lunar occultations<\/a>.<\/p>![\"Lunar](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/11\/lunar-occultation-venus-9-november-2023-social-1024x538.jpg?fit=800%2C420\")
Lunar occultation of Venus captured by Shreya Roy, Kolkata, India, 24 March 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>31. The Arago Domes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>This small collection of volcanic domes sits on the lunar surface<\/a> near to the crater Arago. Look out for them. You\u2019ll find one dome just north of Arago and another west of it.<\/p>32. Crater Plato\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Beautiful Crater Plato<\/a> lies nestled among the broken landscape near the northern edge of the Mare Imbrium. It has a smooth floor and is surrounded by some other interesting features, including Rima Plato and the Montes Teneriffe.<\/p>33. Crater Gassendi\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Gassendi<\/a> is a fascinating crater on the northern edge of the Mare Humorum<\/a>. It measures around 110km in diameter and, if you catch it at the right illumination, you\u2019ll be able to see a superb network of rilles on its floor.<\/p>34. The lunar Apennines<\/strong><\/h3>The Apennines mountain range<\/a> stretches over 900km across the Moon’s surface. It’s particularly striking when lit from the side \u2013 when the peaks cast huge, inky black shadows onto the surrounding landscape. <\/p>35. Craters Ptolemaeus, Alphonsus AND Arzachel\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>These three imposing craters sit close to the centre of the Moon\u2019s near side. The largest of them, Ptolemaeus<\/a>, has a smooth floor that\u2019s pockmarked with lots more tiny craters.<\/p>![\"Clavius](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2020\/09\/Clavius-moon-crater-be6a472.jpg\")
Clavius is a wonderfully rugged moon crater, ripe for observing with a telescope. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/figcaption><\/figure>36. Crater Clavius<\/strong><\/h3>Clavius<\/a> is one of those craters that astronomers love to go back to. It stretches over 200km across and its floor is covered in many smaller craters of varying sizes. The nights of 14, 15 and 16 September are ideal times to observe it.<\/p>37. Hadley Rille<\/strong><\/h3>Famous as one of the features explored by the Apollo 15 astronauts, Hadley Rille is also a great target to look for with a large telescope. Under suitable illumination it appears as a little meandering black line near the northern end of the lunar Apennines.<\/p>
38. The Vallis Alpes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Cutting through the lunar Alps, the 150km-long Vallis Alpes is one of the most interesting features on the Moon\u2019s surface. This valley can be spotted with even a small telescope.<\/p>
39. Rupes Recta<\/strong><\/h3>Rupes Recta<\/a> is perhaps best known as the Straight Wall. It is a 110km-long fault reaching over 270m above the lunar surface. Under the right illumination, it appears as a thin black line near to crater Birt.<\/p>40. A total lunar eclipse\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A total lunar eclipse<\/a> is a graceful affair that sees our Moon\u2019s usually bright disc bathed in a deep coppery-red light \u2013 the result of it being immersed in the darkest part of Earth\u2019s shadow.<\/p>![\"The](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/11\/total-lunar-eclipse-c34cdf1.jpg\")
The total lunar eclipse of 8 November 2022 captured by Felix Zai from Toronto, Canada.<\/figcaption><\/figure>41. Lunar ray systems\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you look at the Moon when it\u2019s full you can\u2019t fail to notice the bright ray systems that stretch across its surface. These lunar ray ejecta systems<\/a> are material thrown out from asteroid impacts. The finest example is the network emanating from crater Tycho.<\/p>42. Craters Petavius and Langrenus<\/strong><\/h3>These craters are a bit of a double act, as their position on the Moon means they\u2019re often well illuminated at the same time. Petavius<\/a> is especially interesting as it has an intricate rille network within its walls.<\/p>43. A Moondog<\/strong><\/h3>Occasionally tiny ice crystals form in our atmosphere, within thin cloud, that refract moonlight, creating two faint rainbow-like patches of light either side of the Moon. These paraselenae or \u2018moondogs\u2019 are beautiful to behold.<\/p>
44. Crater Theophilus<\/strong><\/h3>One of the grandest craters on the Moon\u2019s near side, Theophilus is a great sight in a small telescope. It has impressive terraced walls and a fine cluster of central peaks. Look for it when it takes centre stage near the Moon\u2019s terminator<\/a>.<\/p>45. Schr\u00f6ter\u2019s Valley<\/strong><\/h3>Another interesting lunar rille, Schr\u00f6ter\u2019s Valley sits near the bright crater Aristarchus<\/a>. To see it best requires a low angle of illumination from\u00a0 the Sun.<\/p>46. Crater Posidonius<\/strong><\/h3>Crater Posidonius sits on the northeastern shore of the Mare Serenitatis<\/a>. It measures about 100km across and is a fine target for a small to medium aperture telescope.<\/p>Planets<\/strong><\/h2>![\"Jupiter](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2021\/10\/04_SonaShahaniShukla_JupiterTripleMoonTransit-3d773fd.jpg\")
Jupiter with triple moon transit by Sona Shahani Shukla, New Delhi, India, 15 August 2021<\/figcaption><\/figure>47. A jovian moon shadow transit<\/strong><\/h3>Few celestial events are as fascinating to watch as the shadow of a tiny moon moving across Jupiter\u2019s disc \u2013 known as a Jovian shadow transit.<\/p>
48. Jupiter’s Moons<\/strong><\/h3>Look at Jupiter with binoculars and you should be able to spot the four Galilean moons<\/a>: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Use a telescope and you\u2019ll be able to see them change position night by night much more clearly.<\/p>49. The crescent Venus<\/strong><\/h3>Just like our Moon, the planet Venus exhibits phases. Venus\u2019s thin crescent phase is especially beautiful
50. Saturn\u2019s moons\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you\u2019ve marvelled at Saturn\u2019s rings through a telescope it won\u2019t have escaped your notice that the planet is accompanied by a band of moons. Titan, the largest of these, is easy to see, and a large scope will show some of the others.<\/p>
51. Jupiter\u2019s Great Red Spot\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Jupiter\u2019s Great Red Spot<\/a> is the most famous storm in the Solar System. But did you know it can be seen with a 6-inch telescope? Observe it when the planet is prominent in the night sky and you’ll easily be able to make it out.<\/p>![\"Jupiter](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2019\/02\/jupiter-on-18th-april-0a7be6b.jpeg\")
Jupiter and the Great Red Spot by Harvey Scoot, Essex UK.<\/figcaption><\/figure>52. Mercury and Venus together\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Since they are physically close to the Sun, Mercury and Venus generally also appear near to the Sun in the sky. The sight of them together just before sunrise or just after sunset \u2013 enveloped in the colours of twilight \u2013 is captivating.<\/p>
53. The rings of Saturn<\/strong><\/h3>Four of the planets in the Solar System have ring systems, but it\u2019s Saturn that sports the finest of them all. Saturns’ rings<\/a> can be seen with a small telescope, but are an incredible sight in a large one.<\/p>54. An asteroid<\/strong><\/h3>Asteroids<\/a> such as Vesta appear as nothing more than a point of light through a telescope. While that may be the case, actually observing one with your own eyes is definitely a sight every astronomer should try and witness.<\/p>55. Mars at opposition<\/strong><\/h3>Our planetary neighbour is best seen around opposition<\/a> \u2013 when, from our perspective, it is directly opposite the Sun in its orbit. With a small scope, look out for the dark markings on its surface and one of its polar ice caps.<\/p>56. Uranus and Neptune<\/strong><\/h3>Everyone likes a challenge, and observing Uranus or Neptune with a scope is certainly a fun one. To see their tiny blue-tinged discs well you\u2019ll need a large aperture telescope and high magnification.<\/p>![\"Mars](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/02\/03.MarsRobertSmith-24b7312.jpg\")
Mars at opposition Robert Smith, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, 7 December 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>Deep-sky<\/strong><\/h2>57. Epsilon Lyrae\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>This wonderful star system \u2013 known fondly as the Double Double<\/a> \u2013 can be seen with a modest telescope. It appears as two stars at first glance, but look closely and you\u2019ll see each one is a pair of stars in itself.<\/p>58. The Pleiades<\/strong><\/h3>There\u2019s no way that the finest celestial objects could not contain the Pleiades<\/a> star cluster, M45. It\u2019s easily visible with the naked eye and is a spectacular sight through a telescope at low magnification.<\/p>59. The Double Cluster \u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Located in the constellation of Perseus, this lovely duo of clusters can be seen with a good pair of binoculars. To see the Double Cluster<\/a> at its glittering best, use a high- quality wide-field refractor.<\/p>60. M5\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Globular cluster<\/a> M5 lies in the constellation of Serpens. We recommend observing it through a large aperture telescope, like a big Dobsonian, to get that real 3D feeling.<\/p>![\"Double](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/09\/03.AlbireoTonyMoss-405e7a1-e1678786556595.jpg\")
Double star Albireo by Tony Moss, Downham Market, Norfolk, 8th June 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>61. Albireo<\/strong><\/h3>To many, Albireo<\/a> (Beta (\u03b2) Cygni) is the finest double star<\/a> in the night sky. The two stars sit at the head of Cygnus, the Swan, and appear blue and gold through the eyepiece of a small telescope.<\/p>62. M22<\/strong><\/h3>M22 is one of the finest globular clusters to observe during the summer months. Set against the myriad stars of the rich Milky Way in Sagittarius, it\u2019s a superb sight in a small telescope.<\/p>
As satellites orbit Earth, they catch the sunlight and reflect it down to the ground which is why we can see them in the night sky. If it\u2019s dark where you are and you happen to see this glint it can be quite spectacular, especially if you aren\u2019t expecting it. A quick search online will reveal numerous websites and apps that tell you when a satellite is going to be visible from your location.<\/p>
2. The Northern Hemisphere summer Milky Way\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Seeing the Milky Way<\/a> in Sagittarius and Scutum is one of the highlights of a northern hemisphere summer night. Either sit back and take it all in with the naked eye, or explore the rich star fields with binoculars.<\/p>3. The Belt of Venus<\/strong><\/h3>When the Sun goes down on a clear night you might be able to spot a pink and purple band above the horizon opposite the sunset. This beautiful atmospheric phenomenon is known as the Belt of Venus<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>4. Earthshine<\/strong><\/h3>If you\u2019ve ever seen a thin crescent Moon you\u2019ve probably also seen earthshine<\/a>. This is where the unlit portion of the Moon is illuminated by light scattered off our planet’s oceans and cloud tops.<\/p>5. The Cygnus Rift<\/strong><\/h3>The Milky Way cuts straight through the constellation of Cygnus<\/a>, as does a dark band known as the Cygnus Rift. The rift is the silhouette of vast clouds of dust and gas within our Galaxy.<\/p>International Space Station over Ribblehead Viaduct by Pete Collins, Yorkshire Dales. Equipment: Canon 6D, Samyang 14mm f2.8 lens at f4, iso200.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\u00a06. A bright pass of the ISS<\/strong><\/h3>Sometimes it\u2019s all too easy to forget that there\u2019s a huge laboratory orbiting Earth. Seeing the International Space Station<\/a> shining brightly as it passes overhead dramatically brings it all home.<\/p>7. A circumzenithal arc<\/strong><\/h3>This colourful atmospheric phenomenon is only visible during the daytime, high up overhead. These rainbow-coloured arcs are caused by ice crystals refracting sunlight.<\/p>
8. A noctilucent cloud display<\/strong><\/h3>In the early summer months, after sunset and before sunrise, it\u2019s sometimes possible to see noctilucent clouds<\/a>, or ‘night shining’ clouds. Caused by tiny ice crystals high in our atmosphere reflecting light from the Sun, these clouds create beautiful glowing patterns.<\/p>9. A big meteor shower<\/strong><\/h3>Sometimes the conditions are right for one of the big meteor showers \u2013 the Geminids<\/a>, Leonids<\/a> and Perseids<\/a> in particular \u2013 to put on a really cracking show, with heightened levels of activity. If you catch one it won\u2019t be a night you soon forget. Find out when the next meteor shower<\/a> is taking place.<\/p>10. A meteor fireball\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>It\u2019s not uncommon to see a few shooting stars while out observing, but meteor fireballs are always memorable. Some leave a glowing trail behind them for a split second; occasionally they break up into several glittering fragments.<\/p>Fireball meteor captured by Michael Kleinburger, Hochkar, Austria, 15 July 2023Equipment: Astro-modded Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera, Nikon Z 50mm lens<\/figcaption><\/figure>11. The southern hemisphere Milky Way<\/strong><\/h3>Truth be told, the southern hemisphere Milky Way is more impressive than what\u2019s visible far north of the equator. On a clear night the area from Sagittarius<\/a> and Scorpius to Carina and Crux is breathtaking.<\/p>12. The Magellanic Clouds<\/strong><\/h3>Appearing as misty patches of light to the naked eye, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds \u2013 both galaxies near to the Milky Way \u2013 are surely on every astronomer\u2019s wish list. You\u2019ll need dark, transparent skies to see them well.<\/p>
13. A lunar halo<\/strong><\/h3>Just occasionally, often when the Moon is near to full, you might spot a large ring of faint light around our nearest neighbour. This is an atmospheric phenomenon known as a lunar halo<\/a>, created by ice crystals refracting the light from the Moon.<\/p>14. The aurora<\/strong><\/h3>Few natural phenomena evoke such intense feelings of awe as the aurora. The source of many myths and legends, a strong auroral display is one of the most beautiful and dynamic celestial events that can be seen.<\/p>
15. The Zodiacal Light<\/strong><\/h3>You\u2019ll need really clear, dark skies to see the Zodiacal Light<\/a>, which amazingly is light scattered off tiny dust particles in the plane of the Solar System. Spring and autumn are a good time to look out for it.<\/p>Zodiacal Light captured by Joshua Rhoades, Mason County, Illinois, USA, 7 March 2021.<\/figcaption><\/figure>16. The Gegenschein<\/strong><\/h3>Formed in the same way as the Zodiacal Light, the Gegenschein, or \u2018counterglow\u2019, also requires incredibly dark, transparent skies to see. It appears as a patch of extremely faint light directly opposite the location of the Sun in the sky, hence its name.<\/p>
17. A bright naked-eye comet<\/strong><\/h3>As astronomers we all long for the appearance of a bright naked-eye comet with glowing tails resplendent against a starry sky. Find out what’s visible currently in our guide to comets and asteroids tonight<\/a>.<\/p>18. A daylight meteor fireball\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you\u2019ve seen a daylight meteor fireball, consider yourself extraordinarily lucky. Spotting a space rock blazing across the daytime sky ranks among the most spectacular\u00a0 sights in this list.<\/p>
Solar sights<\/strong><\/h2>Solar prominence captured by Kevin Stewart, Northumberland, UK, August 27 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>19. A solar prominence<\/strong><\/h3>Solar prominences<\/a> are huge tendrils of plasma that appear to reach up above the Sun\u2019s limb. Watching their shape change over a few hours is fascinating, but you will need a specialist hydrogen-alpha solar telescope to see them. Never observe the Sun with the naked eye or anything but certified solar-viewing equipment. That goes for all the solar targets on our list.<\/p>20. A sunspot\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>When powerful magnetic fields in the Sun stop hot material from rising, a cooler region forms on the Sun\u2019s \u2018surface\u2019. These \u2018sunspots<\/a>\u2019 appear black in contrast to the bright surroundings. They can be seen with a telescope fitted with a specialist solar filter.<\/p>21. A solar filament<\/strong><\/h3>A solar filament is exactly the same object as a prominence except it\u2019s seen in silhouette against the bright disc of the Sun. Like prominences, you\u2019ll also need a specialist hydrogen-alpha solar telescope to see them.<\/p>
22. A total solar eclipse<\/strong><\/h3>When it comes to celestial events the king of them all has to be the total solar eclipse<\/a>. Caused when the Moon completely obscures the disc of the Sun they are a truly awe-inspiring experience. Find out when the next eclipse<\/a> is taking place.<\/p>23. An annular eclipse\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>An annular solar eclipse<\/a> occurs when the Moon doesn\u2019t completely block the blazing disc of Sun, creating the famous \u2018ring of fire\u2019. Since some part of the Sun is always visible, you must use a specialist certified solar filter to watch an annular eclipse safely.<\/p>24. The transit of Mercury\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A transit of Mercury<\/a> is when tiny planet Mercury passes across the face of the Sun. You\u2019ll need toMercury in Transit by Phil Benson, SE Essex, UK.<\/figcaption><\/figure>25. A sundog<\/strong><\/h3>On a sunny day, when the sky is strewn with wispy clouds, it\u2019s not uncommon to spot a parhelion or \u2018sundog<\/a>\u2019. These rainbow coloured patches of light, some way to the side of the Sun, are formed by ice crystals within the thin clouds.<\/p>26. A solar flare<\/strong><\/h3>If you own a hydrogen-alpha solar telescope<\/a> it\u2019s worth keeping an eye on any angry active regions and sunspots you see. Occasionally they release powerful solar flares \u2013 huge explosions that appear like a spot of bright white light.<\/p>The Moon<\/strong><\/h2>27. Crater Copernicus<\/strong><\/h3>Crater Copernicus<\/a> has it all. Measuring almost 100km across, its walls are intricately terraced and a beautiful ray system surrounds the crater. The nights of 14 and 15 September are a perfect time to observe it.<\/p>28. Mons Piton and Mons Pico\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>These two lunar mountains stand out conspicuously from the smooth surface of the northern Mare Imbrium<\/a>. Mons Pico can be found south of the large crater Plato, while Mons Piton lies west of the crater Cassini.<\/p>29. The lunar maria<\/strong><\/h3>The lunar maria<\/a> or ‘lunar seas’ are huge basalt plains formed by floods of lava. You can see them with the naked eye, but a small scope can reveal the interesting textures and varied colourations of their seemingly smooth surfaces.<\/p>30. A lunar occultation\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A lunar occultation<\/a> occurs when the Moon passes in front of a bright star or planet. There\u2019s nothing quite like watching the beautiful rings of Saturn or Jupiter and its Galilean moons pop out from behind the Moon\u2019s jagged edge. Find out more in our guide one how to calculate and observe lunar occultations<\/a>.<\/p>Lunar occultation of Venus captured by Shreya Roy, Kolkata, India, 24 March 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>31. The Arago Domes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>This small collection of volcanic domes sits on the lunar surface<\/a> near to the crater Arago. Look out for them. You\u2019ll find one dome just north of Arago and another west of it.<\/p>32. Crater Plato\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Beautiful Crater Plato<\/a> lies nestled among the broken landscape near the northern edge of the Mare Imbrium. It has a smooth floor and is surrounded by some other interesting features, including Rima Plato and the Montes Teneriffe.<\/p>33. Crater Gassendi\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Gassendi<\/a> is a fascinating crater on the northern edge of the Mare Humorum<\/a>. It measures around 110km in diameter and, if you catch it at the right illumination, you\u2019ll be able to see a superb network of rilles on its floor.<\/p>34. The lunar Apennines<\/strong><\/h3>The Apennines mountain range<\/a> stretches over 900km across the Moon’s surface. It’s particularly striking when lit from the side \u2013 when the peaks cast huge, inky black shadows onto the surrounding landscape. <\/p>35. Craters Ptolemaeus, Alphonsus AND Arzachel\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>These three imposing craters sit close to the centre of the Moon\u2019s near side. The largest of them, Ptolemaeus<\/a>, has a smooth floor that\u2019s pockmarked with lots more tiny craters.<\/p>Clavius is a wonderfully rugged moon crater, ripe for observing with a telescope. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/figcaption><\/figure>36. Crater Clavius<\/strong><\/h3>Clavius<\/a> is one of those craters that astronomers love to go back to. It stretches over 200km across and its floor is covered in many smaller craters of varying sizes. The nights of 14, 15 and 16 September are ideal times to observe it.<\/p>37. Hadley Rille<\/strong><\/h3>Famous as one of the features explored by the Apollo 15 astronauts, Hadley Rille is also a great target to look for with a large telescope. Under suitable illumination it appears as a little meandering black line near the northern end of the lunar Apennines.<\/p>
38. The Vallis Alpes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Cutting through the lunar Alps, the 150km-long Vallis Alpes is one of the most interesting features on the Moon\u2019s surface. This valley can be spotted with even a small telescope.<\/p>
39. Rupes Recta<\/strong><\/h3>Rupes Recta<\/a> is perhaps best known as the Straight Wall. It is a 110km-long fault reaching over 270m above the lunar surface. Under the right illumination, it appears as a thin black line near to crater Birt.<\/p>40. A total lunar eclipse\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A total lunar eclipse<\/a> is a graceful affair that sees our Moon\u2019s usually bright disc bathed in a deep coppery-red light \u2013 the result of it being immersed in the darkest part of Earth\u2019s shadow.<\/p>The total lunar eclipse of 8 November 2022 captured by Felix Zai from Toronto, Canada.<\/figcaption><\/figure>41. Lunar ray systems\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you look at the Moon when it\u2019s full you can\u2019t fail to notice the bright ray systems that stretch across its surface. These lunar ray ejecta systems<\/a> are material thrown out from asteroid impacts. The finest example is the network emanating from crater Tycho.<\/p>42. Craters Petavius and Langrenus<\/strong><\/h3>These craters are a bit of a double act, as their position on the Moon means they\u2019re often well illuminated at the same time. Petavius<\/a> is especially interesting as it has an intricate rille network within its walls.<\/p>43. A Moondog<\/strong><\/h3>Occasionally tiny ice crystals form in our atmosphere, within thin cloud, that refract moonlight, creating two faint rainbow-like patches of light either side of the Moon. These paraselenae or \u2018moondogs\u2019 are beautiful to behold.<\/p>
44. Crater Theophilus<\/strong><\/h3>One of the grandest craters on the Moon\u2019s near side, Theophilus is a great sight in a small telescope. It has impressive terraced walls and a fine cluster of central peaks. Look for it when it takes centre stage near the Moon\u2019s terminator<\/a>.<\/p>45. Schr\u00f6ter\u2019s Valley<\/strong><\/h3>Another interesting lunar rille, Schr\u00f6ter\u2019s Valley sits near the bright crater Aristarchus<\/a>. To see it best requires a low angle of illumination from\u00a0 the Sun.<\/p>46. Crater Posidonius<\/strong><\/h3>Crater Posidonius sits on the northeastern shore of the Mare Serenitatis<\/a>. It measures about 100km across and is a fine target for a small to medium aperture telescope.<\/p>Planets<\/strong><\/h2>Jupiter with triple moon transit by Sona Shahani Shukla, New Delhi, India, 15 August 2021<\/figcaption><\/figure>47. A jovian moon shadow transit<\/strong><\/h3>Few celestial events are as fascinating to watch as the shadow of a tiny moon moving across Jupiter\u2019s disc \u2013 known as a Jovian shadow transit.<\/p>
48. Jupiter’s Moons<\/strong><\/h3>Look at Jupiter with binoculars and you should be able to spot the four Galilean moons<\/a>: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Use a telescope and you\u2019ll be able to see them change position night by night much more clearly.<\/p>49. The crescent Venus<\/strong><\/h3>Just like our Moon, the planet Venus exhibits phases. Venus\u2019s thin crescent phase is especially beautiful
50. Saturn\u2019s moons\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you\u2019ve marvelled at Saturn\u2019s rings through a telescope it won\u2019t have escaped your notice that the planet is accompanied by a band of moons. Titan, the largest of these, is easy to see, and a large scope will show some of the others.<\/p>
51. Jupiter\u2019s Great Red Spot\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Jupiter\u2019s Great Red Spot<\/a> is the most famous storm in the Solar System. But did you know it can be seen with a 6-inch telescope? Observe it when the planet is prominent in the night sky and you’ll easily be able to make it out.<\/p>Jupiter and the Great Red Spot by Harvey Scoot, Essex UK.<\/figcaption><\/figure>52. Mercury and Venus together\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Since they are physically close to the Sun, Mercury and Venus generally also appear near to the Sun in the sky. The sight of them together just before sunrise or just after sunset \u2013 enveloped in the colours of twilight \u2013 is captivating.<\/p>
53. The rings of Saturn<\/strong><\/h3>Four of the planets in the Solar System have ring systems, but it\u2019s Saturn that sports the finest of them all. Saturns’ rings<\/a> can be seen with a small telescope, but are an incredible sight in a large one.<\/p>54. An asteroid<\/strong><\/h3>Asteroids<\/a> such as Vesta appear as nothing more than a point of light through a telescope. While that may be the case, actually observing one with your own eyes is definitely a sight every astronomer should try and witness.<\/p>55. Mars at opposition<\/strong><\/h3>Our planetary neighbour is best seen around opposition<\/a> \u2013 when, from our perspective, it is directly opposite the Sun in its orbit. With a small scope, look out for the dark markings on its surface and one of its polar ice caps.<\/p>56. Uranus and Neptune<\/strong><\/h3>Everyone likes a challenge, and observing Uranus or Neptune with a scope is certainly a fun one. To see their tiny blue-tinged discs well you\u2019ll need a large aperture telescope and high magnification.<\/p>Mars at opposition Robert Smith, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, 7 December 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>Deep-sky<\/strong><\/h2>57. Epsilon Lyrae\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>This wonderful star system \u2013 known fondly as the Double Double<\/a> \u2013 can be seen with a modest telescope. It appears as two stars at first glance, but look closely and you\u2019ll see each one is a pair of stars in itself.<\/p>58. The Pleiades<\/strong><\/h3>There\u2019s no way that the finest celestial objects could not contain the Pleiades<\/a> star cluster, M45. It\u2019s easily visible with the naked eye and is a spectacular sight through a telescope at low magnification.<\/p>59. The Double Cluster \u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Located in the constellation of Perseus, this lovely duo of clusters can be seen with a good pair of binoculars. To see the Double Cluster<\/a> at its glittering best, use a high- quality wide-field refractor.<\/p>60. M5\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Globular cluster<\/a> M5 lies in the constellation of Serpens. We recommend observing it through a large aperture telescope, like a big Dobsonian, to get that real 3D feeling.<\/p>Double star Albireo by Tony Moss, Downham Market, Norfolk, 8th June 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>61. Albireo<\/strong><\/h3>To many, Albireo<\/a> (Beta (\u03b2) Cygni) is the finest double star<\/a> in the night sky. The two stars sit at the head of Cygnus, the Swan, and appear blue and gold through the eyepiece of a small telescope.<\/p>62. M22<\/strong><\/h3>M22 is one of the finest globular clusters to observe during the summer months. Set against the myriad stars of the rich Milky Way in Sagittarius, it\u2019s a superb sight in a small telescope.<\/p>
3. The Belt of Venus<\/strong><\/h3>When the Sun goes down on a clear night you might be able to spot a pink and purple band above the horizon opposite the sunset. This beautiful atmospheric phenomenon is known as the Belt of Venus<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>4. Earthshine<\/strong><\/h3>If you\u2019ve ever seen a thin crescent Moon you\u2019ve probably also seen earthshine<\/a>. This is where the unlit portion of the Moon is illuminated by light scattered off our planet’s oceans and cloud tops.<\/p>5. The Cygnus Rift<\/strong><\/h3>The Milky Way cuts straight through the constellation of Cygnus<\/a>, as does a dark band known as the Cygnus Rift. The rift is the silhouette of vast clouds of dust and gas within our Galaxy.<\/p>International Space Station over Ribblehead Viaduct by Pete Collins, Yorkshire Dales. Equipment: Canon 6D, Samyang 14mm f2.8 lens at f4, iso200.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\u00a06. A bright pass of the ISS<\/strong><\/h3>Sometimes it\u2019s all too easy to forget that there\u2019s a huge laboratory orbiting Earth. Seeing the International Space Station<\/a> shining brightly as it passes overhead dramatically brings it all home.<\/p>7. A circumzenithal arc<\/strong><\/h3>This colourful atmospheric phenomenon is only visible during the daytime, high up overhead. These rainbow-coloured arcs are caused by ice crystals refracting sunlight.<\/p>
8. A noctilucent cloud display<\/strong><\/h3>In the early summer months, after sunset and before sunrise, it\u2019s sometimes possible to see noctilucent clouds<\/a>, or ‘night shining’ clouds. Caused by tiny ice crystals high in our atmosphere reflecting light from the Sun, these clouds create beautiful glowing patterns.<\/p>9. A big meteor shower<\/strong><\/h3>Sometimes the conditions are right for one of the big meteor showers \u2013 the Geminids<\/a>, Leonids<\/a> and Perseids<\/a> in particular \u2013 to put on a really cracking show, with heightened levels of activity. If you catch one it won\u2019t be a night you soon forget. Find out when the next meteor shower<\/a> is taking place.<\/p>10. A meteor fireball\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>It\u2019s not uncommon to see a few shooting stars while out observing, but meteor fireballs are always memorable. Some leave a glowing trail behind them for a split second; occasionally they break up into several glittering fragments.<\/p>Fireball meteor captured by Michael Kleinburger, Hochkar, Austria, 15 July 2023Equipment: Astro-modded Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera, Nikon Z 50mm lens<\/figcaption><\/figure>11. The southern hemisphere Milky Way<\/strong><\/h3>Truth be told, the southern hemisphere Milky Way is more impressive than what\u2019s visible far north of the equator. On a clear night the area from Sagittarius<\/a> and Scorpius to Carina and Crux is breathtaking.<\/p>12. The Magellanic Clouds<\/strong><\/h3>Appearing as misty patches of light to the naked eye, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds \u2013 both galaxies near to the Milky Way \u2013 are surely on every astronomer\u2019s wish list. You\u2019ll need dark, transparent skies to see them well.<\/p>
13. A lunar halo<\/strong><\/h3>Just occasionally, often when the Moon is near to full, you might spot a large ring of faint light around our nearest neighbour. This is an atmospheric phenomenon known as a lunar halo<\/a>, created by ice crystals refracting the light from the Moon.<\/p>14. The aurora<\/strong><\/h3>Few natural phenomena evoke such intense feelings of awe as the aurora. The source of many myths and legends, a strong auroral display is one of the most beautiful and dynamic celestial events that can be seen.<\/p>
15. The Zodiacal Light<\/strong><\/h3>You\u2019ll need really clear, dark skies to see the Zodiacal Light<\/a>, which amazingly is light scattered off tiny dust particles in the plane of the Solar System. Spring and autumn are a good time to look out for it.<\/p>Zodiacal Light captured by Joshua Rhoades, Mason County, Illinois, USA, 7 March 2021.<\/figcaption><\/figure>16. The Gegenschein<\/strong><\/h3>Formed in the same way as the Zodiacal Light, the Gegenschein, or \u2018counterglow\u2019, also requires incredibly dark, transparent skies to see. It appears as a patch of extremely faint light directly opposite the location of the Sun in the sky, hence its name.<\/p>
17. A bright naked-eye comet<\/strong><\/h3>As astronomers we all long for the appearance of a bright naked-eye comet with glowing tails resplendent against a starry sky. Find out what’s visible currently in our guide to comets and asteroids tonight<\/a>.<\/p>18. A daylight meteor fireball\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you\u2019ve seen a daylight meteor fireball, consider yourself extraordinarily lucky. Spotting a space rock blazing across the daytime sky ranks among the most spectacular\u00a0 sights in this list.<\/p>
Solar sights<\/strong><\/h2>Solar prominence captured by Kevin Stewart, Northumberland, UK, August 27 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>19. A solar prominence<\/strong><\/h3>Solar prominences<\/a> are huge tendrils of plasma that appear to reach up above the Sun\u2019s limb. Watching their shape change over a few hours is fascinating, but you will need a specialist hydrogen-alpha solar telescope to see them. Never observe the Sun with the naked eye or anything but certified solar-viewing equipment. That goes for all the solar targets on our list.<\/p>20. A sunspot\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>When powerful magnetic fields in the Sun stop hot material from rising, a cooler region forms on the Sun\u2019s \u2018surface\u2019. These \u2018sunspots<\/a>\u2019 appear black in contrast to the bright surroundings. They can be seen with a telescope fitted with a specialist solar filter.<\/p>21. A solar filament<\/strong><\/h3>A solar filament is exactly the same object as a prominence except it\u2019s seen in silhouette against the bright disc of the Sun. Like prominences, you\u2019ll also need a specialist hydrogen-alpha solar telescope to see them.<\/p>
22. A total solar eclipse<\/strong><\/h3>When it comes to celestial events the king of them all has to be the total solar eclipse<\/a>. Caused when the Moon completely obscures the disc of the Sun they are a truly awe-inspiring experience. Find out when the next eclipse<\/a> is taking place.<\/p>23. An annular eclipse\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>An annular solar eclipse<\/a> occurs when the Moon doesn\u2019t completely block the blazing disc of Sun, creating the famous \u2018ring of fire\u2019. Since some part of the Sun is always visible, you must use a specialist certified solar filter to watch an annular eclipse safely.<\/p>24. The transit of Mercury\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A transit of Mercury<\/a> is when tiny planet Mercury passes across the face of the Sun. You\u2019ll need toMercury in Transit by Phil Benson, SE Essex, UK.<\/figcaption><\/figure>25. A sundog<\/strong><\/h3>On a sunny day, when the sky is strewn with wispy clouds, it\u2019s not uncommon to spot a parhelion or \u2018sundog<\/a>\u2019. These rainbow coloured patches of light, some way to the side of the Sun, are formed by ice crystals within the thin clouds.<\/p>26. A solar flare<\/strong><\/h3>If you own a hydrogen-alpha solar telescope<\/a> it\u2019s worth keeping an eye on any angry active regions and sunspots you see. Occasionally they release powerful solar flares \u2013 huge explosions that appear like a spot of bright white light.<\/p>The Moon<\/strong><\/h2>27. Crater Copernicus<\/strong><\/h3>Crater Copernicus<\/a> has it all. Measuring almost 100km across, its walls are intricately terraced and a beautiful ray system surrounds the crater. The nights of 14 and 15 September are a perfect time to observe it.<\/p>28. Mons Piton and Mons Pico\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>These two lunar mountains stand out conspicuously from the smooth surface of the northern Mare Imbrium<\/a>. Mons Pico can be found south of the large crater Plato, while Mons Piton lies west of the crater Cassini.<\/p>29. The lunar maria<\/strong><\/h3>The lunar maria<\/a> or ‘lunar seas’ are huge basalt plains formed by floods of lava. You can see them with the naked eye, but a small scope can reveal the interesting textures and varied colourations of their seemingly smooth surfaces.<\/p>30. A lunar occultation\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A lunar occultation<\/a> occurs when the Moon passes in front of a bright star or planet. There\u2019s nothing quite like watching the beautiful rings of Saturn or Jupiter and its Galilean moons pop out from behind the Moon\u2019s jagged edge. Find out more in our guide one how to calculate and observe lunar occultations<\/a>.<\/p>Lunar occultation of Venus captured by Shreya Roy, Kolkata, India, 24 March 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>31. The Arago Domes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>This small collection of volcanic domes sits on the lunar surface<\/a> near to the crater Arago. Look out for them. You\u2019ll find one dome just north of Arago and another west of it.<\/p>32. Crater Plato\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Beautiful Crater Plato<\/a> lies nestled among the broken landscape near the northern edge of the Mare Imbrium. It has a smooth floor and is surrounded by some other interesting features, including Rima Plato and the Montes Teneriffe.<\/p>33. Crater Gassendi\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Gassendi<\/a> is a fascinating crater on the northern edge of the Mare Humorum<\/a>. It measures around 110km in diameter and, if you catch it at the right illumination, you\u2019ll be able to see a superb network of rilles on its floor.<\/p>34. The lunar Apennines<\/strong><\/h3>The Apennines mountain range<\/a> stretches over 900km across the Moon’s surface. It’s particularly striking when lit from the side \u2013 when the peaks cast huge, inky black shadows onto the surrounding landscape. <\/p>35. Craters Ptolemaeus, Alphonsus AND Arzachel\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>These three imposing craters sit close to the centre of the Moon\u2019s near side. The largest of them, Ptolemaeus<\/a>, has a smooth floor that\u2019s pockmarked with lots more tiny craters.<\/p>Clavius is a wonderfully rugged moon crater, ripe for observing with a telescope. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/figcaption><\/figure>36. Crater Clavius<\/strong><\/h3>Clavius<\/a> is one of those craters that astronomers love to go back to. It stretches over 200km across and its floor is covered in many smaller craters of varying sizes. The nights of 14, 15 and 16 September are ideal times to observe it.<\/p>37. Hadley Rille<\/strong><\/h3>Famous as one of the features explored by the Apollo 15 astronauts, Hadley Rille is also a great target to look for with a large telescope. Under suitable illumination it appears as a little meandering black line near the northern end of the lunar Apennines.<\/p>
38. The Vallis Alpes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Cutting through the lunar Alps, the 150km-long Vallis Alpes is one of the most interesting features on the Moon\u2019s surface. This valley can be spotted with even a small telescope.<\/p>
39. Rupes Recta<\/strong><\/h3>Rupes Recta<\/a> is perhaps best known as the Straight Wall. It is a 110km-long fault reaching over 270m above the lunar surface. Under the right illumination, it appears as a thin black line near to crater Birt.<\/p>40. A total lunar eclipse\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A total lunar eclipse<\/a> is a graceful affair that sees our Moon\u2019s usually bright disc bathed in a deep coppery-red light \u2013 the result of it being immersed in the darkest part of Earth\u2019s shadow.<\/p>The total lunar eclipse of 8 November 2022 captured by Felix Zai from Toronto, Canada.<\/figcaption><\/figure>41. Lunar ray systems\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you look at the Moon when it\u2019s full you can\u2019t fail to notice the bright ray systems that stretch across its surface. These lunar ray ejecta systems<\/a> are material thrown out from asteroid impacts. The finest example is the network emanating from crater Tycho.<\/p>42. Craters Petavius and Langrenus<\/strong><\/h3>These craters are a bit of a double act, as their position on the Moon means they\u2019re often well illuminated at the same time. Petavius<\/a> is especially interesting as it has an intricate rille network within its walls.<\/p>43. A Moondog<\/strong><\/h3>Occasionally tiny ice crystals form in our atmosphere, within thin cloud, that refract moonlight, creating two faint rainbow-like patches of light either side of the Moon. These paraselenae or \u2018moondogs\u2019 are beautiful to behold.<\/p>
44. Crater Theophilus<\/strong><\/h3>One of the grandest craters on the Moon\u2019s near side, Theophilus is a great sight in a small telescope. It has impressive terraced walls and a fine cluster of central peaks. Look for it when it takes centre stage near the Moon\u2019s terminator<\/a>.<\/p>45. Schr\u00f6ter\u2019s Valley<\/strong><\/h3>Another interesting lunar rille, Schr\u00f6ter\u2019s Valley sits near the bright crater Aristarchus<\/a>. To see it best requires a low angle of illumination from\u00a0 the Sun.<\/p>46. Crater Posidonius<\/strong><\/h3>Crater Posidonius sits on the northeastern shore of the Mare Serenitatis<\/a>. It measures about 100km across and is a fine target for a small to medium aperture telescope.<\/p>Planets<\/strong><\/h2>Jupiter with triple moon transit by Sona Shahani Shukla, New Delhi, India, 15 August 2021<\/figcaption><\/figure>47. A jovian moon shadow transit<\/strong><\/h3>Few celestial events are as fascinating to watch as the shadow of a tiny moon moving across Jupiter\u2019s disc \u2013 known as a Jovian shadow transit.<\/p>
48. Jupiter’s Moons<\/strong><\/h3>Look at Jupiter with binoculars and you should be able to spot the four Galilean moons<\/a>: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Use a telescope and you\u2019ll be able to see them change position night by night much more clearly.<\/p>49. The crescent Venus<\/strong><\/h3>Just like our Moon, the planet Venus exhibits phases. Venus\u2019s thin crescent phase is especially beautiful
50. Saturn\u2019s moons\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you\u2019ve marvelled at Saturn\u2019s rings through a telescope it won\u2019t have escaped your notice that the planet is accompanied by a band of moons. Titan, the largest of these, is easy to see, and a large scope will show some of the others.<\/p>
51. Jupiter\u2019s Great Red Spot\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Jupiter\u2019s Great Red Spot<\/a> is the most famous storm in the Solar System. But did you know it can be seen with a 6-inch telescope? Observe it when the planet is prominent in the night sky and you’ll easily be able to make it out.<\/p>Jupiter and the Great Red Spot by Harvey Scoot, Essex UK.<\/figcaption><\/figure>52. Mercury and Venus together\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Since they are physically close to the Sun, Mercury and Venus generally also appear near to the Sun in the sky. The sight of them together just before sunrise or just after sunset \u2013 enveloped in the colours of twilight \u2013 is captivating.<\/p>
53. The rings of Saturn<\/strong><\/h3>Four of the planets in the Solar System have ring systems, but it\u2019s Saturn that sports the finest of them all. Saturns’ rings<\/a> can be seen with a small telescope, but are an incredible sight in a large one.<\/p>54. An asteroid<\/strong><\/h3>Asteroids<\/a> such as Vesta appear as nothing more than a point of light through a telescope. While that may be the case, actually observing one with your own eyes is definitely a sight every astronomer should try and witness.<\/p>55. Mars at opposition<\/strong><\/h3>Our planetary neighbour is best seen around opposition<\/a> \u2013 when, from our perspective, it is directly opposite the Sun in its orbit. With a small scope, look out for the dark markings on its surface and one of its polar ice caps.<\/p>56. Uranus and Neptune<\/strong><\/h3>Everyone likes a challenge, and observing Uranus or Neptune with a scope is certainly a fun one. To see their tiny blue-tinged discs well you\u2019ll need a large aperture telescope and high magnification.<\/p>Mars at opposition Robert Smith, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, 7 December 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>Deep-sky<\/strong><\/h2>57. Epsilon Lyrae\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>This wonderful star system \u2013 known fondly as the Double Double<\/a> \u2013 can be seen with a modest telescope. It appears as two stars at first glance, but look closely and you\u2019ll see each one is a pair of stars in itself.<\/p>58. The Pleiades<\/strong><\/h3>There\u2019s no way that the finest celestial objects could not contain the Pleiades<\/a> star cluster, M45. It\u2019s easily visible with the naked eye and is a spectacular sight through a telescope at low magnification.<\/p>59. The Double Cluster \u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Located in the constellation of Perseus, this lovely duo of clusters can be seen with a good pair of binoculars. To see the Double Cluster<\/a> at its glittering best, use a high- quality wide-field refractor.<\/p>60. M5\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Globular cluster<\/a> M5 lies in the constellation of Serpens. We recommend observing it through a large aperture telescope, like a big Dobsonian, to get that real 3D feeling.<\/p>Double star Albireo by Tony Moss, Downham Market, Norfolk, 8th June 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>61. Albireo<\/strong><\/h3>To many, Albireo<\/a> (Beta (\u03b2) Cygni) is the finest double star<\/a> in the night sky. The two stars sit at the head of Cygnus, the Swan, and appear blue and gold through the eyepiece of a small telescope.<\/p>62. M22<\/strong><\/h3>M22 is one of the finest globular clusters to observe during the summer months. Set against the myriad stars of the rich Milky Way in Sagittarius, it\u2019s a superb sight in a small telescope.<\/p>
4. Earthshine<\/strong><\/h3>If you\u2019ve ever seen a thin crescent Moon you\u2019ve probably also seen earthshine<\/a>. This is where the unlit portion of the Moon is illuminated by light scattered off our planet’s oceans and cloud tops.<\/p>5. The Cygnus Rift<\/strong><\/h3>The Milky Way cuts straight through the constellation of Cygnus<\/a>, as does a dark band known as the Cygnus Rift. The rift is the silhouette of vast clouds of dust and gas within our Galaxy.<\/p>International Space Station over Ribblehead Viaduct by Pete Collins, Yorkshire Dales. Equipment: Canon 6D, Samyang 14mm f2.8 lens at f4, iso200.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\u00a06. A bright pass of the ISS<\/strong><\/h3>Sometimes it\u2019s all too easy to forget that there\u2019s a huge laboratory orbiting Earth. Seeing the International Space Station<\/a> shining brightly as it passes overhead dramatically brings it all home.<\/p>7. A circumzenithal arc<\/strong><\/h3>This colourful atmospheric phenomenon is only visible during the daytime, high up overhead. These rainbow-coloured arcs are caused by ice crystals refracting sunlight.<\/p>
8. A noctilucent cloud display<\/strong><\/h3>In the early summer months, after sunset and before sunrise, it\u2019s sometimes possible to see noctilucent clouds<\/a>, or ‘night shining’ clouds. Caused by tiny ice crystals high in our atmosphere reflecting light from the Sun, these clouds create beautiful glowing patterns.<\/p>9. A big meteor shower<\/strong><\/h3>Sometimes the conditions are right for one of the big meteor showers \u2013 the Geminids<\/a>, Leonids<\/a> and Perseids<\/a> in particular \u2013 to put on a really cracking show, with heightened levels of activity. If you catch one it won\u2019t be a night you soon forget. Find out when the next meteor shower<\/a> is taking place.<\/p>10. A meteor fireball\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>It\u2019s not uncommon to see a few shooting stars while out observing, but meteor fireballs are always memorable. Some leave a glowing trail behind them for a split second; occasionally they break up into several glittering fragments.<\/p>Fireball meteor captured by Michael Kleinburger, Hochkar, Austria, 15 July 2023Equipment: Astro-modded Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera, Nikon Z 50mm lens<\/figcaption><\/figure>11. The southern hemisphere Milky Way<\/strong><\/h3>Truth be told, the southern hemisphere Milky Way is more impressive than what\u2019s visible far north of the equator. On a clear night the area from Sagittarius<\/a> and Scorpius to Carina and Crux is breathtaking.<\/p>12. The Magellanic Clouds<\/strong><\/h3>Appearing as misty patches of light to the naked eye, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds \u2013 both galaxies near to the Milky Way \u2013 are surely on every astronomer\u2019s wish list. You\u2019ll need dark, transparent skies to see them well.<\/p>
13. A lunar halo<\/strong><\/h3>Just occasionally, often when the Moon is near to full, you might spot a large ring of faint light around our nearest neighbour. This is an atmospheric phenomenon known as a lunar halo<\/a>, created by ice crystals refracting the light from the Moon.<\/p>14. The aurora<\/strong><\/h3>Few natural phenomena evoke such intense feelings of awe as the aurora. The source of many myths and legends, a strong auroral display is one of the most beautiful and dynamic celestial events that can be seen.<\/p>
15. The Zodiacal Light<\/strong><\/h3>You\u2019ll need really clear, dark skies to see the Zodiacal Light<\/a>, which amazingly is light scattered off tiny dust particles in the plane of the Solar System. Spring and autumn are a good time to look out for it.<\/p>Zodiacal Light captured by Joshua Rhoades, Mason County, Illinois, USA, 7 March 2021.<\/figcaption><\/figure>16. The Gegenschein<\/strong><\/h3>Formed in the same way as the Zodiacal Light, the Gegenschein, or \u2018counterglow\u2019, also requires incredibly dark, transparent skies to see. It appears as a patch of extremely faint light directly opposite the location of the Sun in the sky, hence its name.<\/p>
17. A bright naked-eye comet<\/strong><\/h3>As astronomers we all long for the appearance of a bright naked-eye comet with glowing tails resplendent against a starry sky. Find out what’s visible currently in our guide to comets and asteroids tonight<\/a>.<\/p>18. A daylight meteor fireball\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you\u2019ve seen a daylight meteor fireball, consider yourself extraordinarily lucky. Spotting a space rock blazing across the daytime sky ranks among the most spectacular\u00a0 sights in this list.<\/p>
Solar sights<\/strong><\/h2>Solar prominence captured by Kevin Stewart, Northumberland, UK, August 27 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>19. A solar prominence<\/strong><\/h3>Solar prominences<\/a> are huge tendrils of plasma that appear to reach up above the Sun\u2019s limb. Watching their shape change over a few hours is fascinating, but you will need a specialist hydrogen-alpha solar telescope to see them. Never observe the Sun with the naked eye or anything but certified solar-viewing equipment. That goes for all the solar targets on our list.<\/p>20. A sunspot\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>When powerful magnetic fields in the Sun stop hot material from rising, a cooler region forms on the Sun\u2019s \u2018surface\u2019. These \u2018sunspots<\/a>\u2019 appear black in contrast to the bright surroundings. They can be seen with a telescope fitted with a specialist solar filter.<\/p>21. A solar filament<\/strong><\/h3>A solar filament is exactly the same object as a prominence except it\u2019s seen in silhouette against the bright disc of the Sun. Like prominences, you\u2019ll also need a specialist hydrogen-alpha solar telescope to see them.<\/p>
22. A total solar eclipse<\/strong><\/h3>When it comes to celestial events the king of them all has to be the total solar eclipse<\/a>. Caused when the Moon completely obscures the disc of the Sun they are a truly awe-inspiring experience. Find out when the next eclipse<\/a> is taking place.<\/p>23. An annular eclipse\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>An annular solar eclipse<\/a> occurs when the Moon doesn\u2019t completely block the blazing disc of Sun, creating the famous \u2018ring of fire\u2019. Since some part of the Sun is always visible, you must use a specialist certified solar filter to watch an annular eclipse safely.<\/p>24. The transit of Mercury\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A transit of Mercury<\/a> is when tiny planet Mercury passes across the face of the Sun. You\u2019ll need toMercury in Transit by Phil Benson, SE Essex, UK.<\/figcaption><\/figure>25. A sundog<\/strong><\/h3>On a sunny day, when the sky is strewn with wispy clouds, it\u2019s not uncommon to spot a parhelion or \u2018sundog<\/a>\u2019. These rainbow coloured patches of light, some way to the side of the Sun, are formed by ice crystals within the thin clouds.<\/p>26. A solar flare<\/strong><\/h3>If you own a hydrogen-alpha solar telescope<\/a> it\u2019s worth keeping an eye on any angry active regions and sunspots you see. Occasionally they release powerful solar flares \u2013 huge explosions that appear like a spot of bright white light.<\/p>The Moon<\/strong><\/h2>27. Crater Copernicus<\/strong><\/h3>Crater Copernicus<\/a> has it all. Measuring almost 100km across, its walls are intricately terraced and a beautiful ray system surrounds the crater. The nights of 14 and 15 September are a perfect time to observe it.<\/p>28. Mons Piton and Mons Pico\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>These two lunar mountains stand out conspicuously from the smooth surface of the northern Mare Imbrium<\/a>. Mons Pico can be found south of the large crater Plato, while Mons Piton lies west of the crater Cassini.<\/p>29. The lunar maria<\/strong><\/h3>The lunar maria<\/a> or ‘lunar seas’ are huge basalt plains formed by floods of lava. You can see them with the naked eye, but a small scope can reveal the interesting textures and varied colourations of their seemingly smooth surfaces.<\/p>30. A lunar occultation\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A lunar occultation<\/a> occurs when the Moon passes in front of a bright star or planet. There\u2019s nothing quite like watching the beautiful rings of Saturn or Jupiter and its Galilean moons pop out from behind the Moon\u2019s jagged edge. Find out more in our guide one how to calculate and observe lunar occultations<\/a>.<\/p>Lunar occultation of Venus captured by Shreya Roy, Kolkata, India, 24 March 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>31. The Arago Domes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>This small collection of volcanic domes sits on the lunar surface<\/a> near to the crater Arago. Look out for them. You\u2019ll find one dome just north of Arago and another west of it.<\/p>32. Crater Plato\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Beautiful Crater Plato<\/a> lies nestled among the broken landscape near the northern edge of the Mare Imbrium. It has a smooth floor and is surrounded by some other interesting features, including Rima Plato and the Montes Teneriffe.<\/p>33. Crater Gassendi\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Gassendi<\/a> is a fascinating crater on the northern edge of the Mare Humorum<\/a>. It measures around 110km in diameter and, if you catch it at the right illumination, you\u2019ll be able to see a superb network of rilles on its floor.<\/p>34. The lunar Apennines<\/strong><\/h3>The Apennines mountain range<\/a> stretches over 900km across the Moon’s surface. It’s particularly striking when lit from the side \u2013 when the peaks cast huge, inky black shadows onto the surrounding landscape. <\/p>35. Craters Ptolemaeus, Alphonsus AND Arzachel\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>These three imposing craters sit close to the centre of the Moon\u2019s near side. The largest of them, Ptolemaeus<\/a>, has a smooth floor that\u2019s pockmarked with lots more tiny craters.<\/p>Clavius is a wonderfully rugged moon crater, ripe for observing with a telescope. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/figcaption><\/figure>36. Crater Clavius<\/strong><\/h3>Clavius<\/a> is one of those craters that astronomers love to go back to. It stretches over 200km across and its floor is covered in many smaller craters of varying sizes. The nights of 14, 15 and 16 September are ideal times to observe it.<\/p>37. Hadley Rille<\/strong><\/h3>Famous as one of the features explored by the Apollo 15 astronauts, Hadley Rille is also a great target to look for with a large telescope. Under suitable illumination it appears as a little meandering black line near the northern end of the lunar Apennines.<\/p>
38. The Vallis Alpes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Cutting through the lunar Alps, the 150km-long Vallis Alpes is one of the most interesting features on the Moon\u2019s surface. This valley can be spotted with even a small telescope.<\/p>
39. Rupes Recta<\/strong><\/h3>Rupes Recta<\/a> is perhaps best known as the Straight Wall. It is a 110km-long fault reaching over 270m above the lunar surface. Under the right illumination, it appears as a thin black line near to crater Birt.<\/p>40. A total lunar eclipse\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A total lunar eclipse<\/a> is a graceful affair that sees our Moon\u2019s usually bright disc bathed in a deep coppery-red light \u2013 the result of it being immersed in the darkest part of Earth\u2019s shadow.<\/p>The total lunar eclipse of 8 November 2022 captured by Felix Zai from Toronto, Canada.<\/figcaption><\/figure>41. Lunar ray systems\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you look at the Moon when it\u2019s full you can\u2019t fail to notice the bright ray systems that stretch across its surface. These lunar ray ejecta systems<\/a> are material thrown out from asteroid impacts. The finest example is the network emanating from crater Tycho.<\/p>42. Craters Petavius and Langrenus<\/strong><\/h3>These craters are a bit of a double act, as their position on the Moon means they\u2019re often well illuminated at the same time. Petavius<\/a> is especially interesting as it has an intricate rille network within its walls.<\/p>43. A Moondog<\/strong><\/h3>Occasionally tiny ice crystals form in our atmosphere, within thin cloud, that refract moonlight, creating two faint rainbow-like patches of light either side of the Moon. These paraselenae or \u2018moondogs\u2019 are beautiful to behold.<\/p>
44. Crater Theophilus<\/strong><\/h3>One of the grandest craters on the Moon\u2019s near side, Theophilus is a great sight in a small telescope. It has impressive terraced walls and a fine cluster of central peaks. Look for it when it takes centre stage near the Moon\u2019s terminator<\/a>.<\/p>45. Schr\u00f6ter\u2019s Valley<\/strong><\/h3>Another interesting lunar rille, Schr\u00f6ter\u2019s Valley sits near the bright crater Aristarchus<\/a>. To see it best requires a low angle of illumination from\u00a0 the Sun.<\/p>46. Crater Posidonius<\/strong><\/h3>Crater Posidonius sits on the northeastern shore of the Mare Serenitatis<\/a>. It measures about 100km across and is a fine target for a small to medium aperture telescope.<\/p>Planets<\/strong><\/h2>Jupiter with triple moon transit by Sona Shahani Shukla, New Delhi, India, 15 August 2021<\/figcaption><\/figure>47. A jovian moon shadow transit<\/strong><\/h3>Few celestial events are as fascinating to watch as the shadow of a tiny moon moving across Jupiter\u2019s disc \u2013 known as a Jovian shadow transit.<\/p>
48. Jupiter’s Moons<\/strong><\/h3>Look at Jupiter with binoculars and you should be able to spot the four Galilean moons<\/a>: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Use a telescope and you\u2019ll be able to see them change position night by night much more clearly.<\/p>49. The crescent Venus<\/strong><\/h3>Just like our Moon, the planet Venus exhibits phases. Venus\u2019s thin crescent phase is especially beautiful
50. Saturn\u2019s moons\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you\u2019ve marvelled at Saturn\u2019s rings through a telescope it won\u2019t have escaped your notice that the planet is accompanied by a band of moons. Titan, the largest of these, is easy to see, and a large scope will show some of the others.<\/p>
51. Jupiter\u2019s Great Red Spot\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Jupiter\u2019s Great Red Spot<\/a> is the most famous storm in the Solar System. But did you know it can be seen with a 6-inch telescope? Observe it when the planet is prominent in the night sky and you’ll easily be able to make it out.<\/p>Jupiter and the Great Red Spot by Harvey Scoot, Essex UK.<\/figcaption><\/figure>52. Mercury and Venus together\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Since they are physically close to the Sun, Mercury and Venus generally also appear near to the Sun in the sky. The sight of them together just before sunrise or just after sunset \u2013 enveloped in the colours of twilight \u2013 is captivating.<\/p>
53. The rings of Saturn<\/strong><\/h3>Four of the planets in the Solar System have ring systems, but it\u2019s Saturn that sports the finest of them all. Saturns’ rings<\/a> can be seen with a small telescope, but are an incredible sight in a large one.<\/p>54. An asteroid<\/strong><\/h3>Asteroids<\/a> such as Vesta appear as nothing more than a point of light through a telescope. While that may be the case, actually observing one with your own eyes is definitely a sight every astronomer should try and witness.<\/p>55. Mars at opposition<\/strong><\/h3>Our planetary neighbour is best seen around opposition<\/a> \u2013 when, from our perspective, it is directly opposite the Sun in its orbit. With a small scope, look out for the dark markings on its surface and one of its polar ice caps.<\/p>56. Uranus and Neptune<\/strong><\/h3>Everyone likes a challenge, and observing Uranus or Neptune with a scope is certainly a fun one. To see their tiny blue-tinged discs well you\u2019ll need a large aperture telescope and high magnification.<\/p>Mars at opposition Robert Smith, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, 7 December 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>Deep-sky<\/strong><\/h2>57. Epsilon Lyrae\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>This wonderful star system \u2013 known fondly as the Double Double<\/a> \u2013 can be seen with a modest telescope. It appears as two stars at first glance, but look closely and you\u2019ll see each one is a pair of stars in itself.<\/p>58. The Pleiades<\/strong><\/h3>There\u2019s no way that the finest celestial objects could not contain the Pleiades<\/a> star cluster, M45. It\u2019s easily visible with the naked eye and is a spectacular sight through a telescope at low magnification.<\/p>59. The Double Cluster \u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Located in the constellation of Perseus, this lovely duo of clusters can be seen with a good pair of binoculars. To see the Double Cluster<\/a> at its glittering best, use a high- quality wide-field refractor.<\/p>60. M5\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Globular cluster<\/a> M5 lies in the constellation of Serpens. We recommend observing it through a large aperture telescope, like a big Dobsonian, to get that real 3D feeling.<\/p>Double star Albireo by Tony Moss, Downham Market, Norfolk, 8th June 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>61. Albireo<\/strong><\/h3>To many, Albireo<\/a> (Beta (\u03b2) Cygni) is the finest double star<\/a> in the night sky. The two stars sit at the head of Cygnus, the Swan, and appear blue and gold through the eyepiece of a small telescope.<\/p>62. M22<\/strong><\/h3>M22 is one of the finest globular clusters to observe during the summer months. Set against the myriad stars of the rich Milky Way in Sagittarius, it\u2019s a superb sight in a small telescope.<\/p>
5. The Cygnus Rift<\/strong><\/h3>The Milky Way cuts straight through the constellation of Cygnus<\/a>, as does a dark band known as the Cygnus Rift. The rift is the silhouette of vast clouds of dust and gas within our Galaxy.<\/p>International Space Station over Ribblehead Viaduct by Pete Collins, Yorkshire Dales. Equipment: Canon 6D, Samyang 14mm f2.8 lens at f4, iso200.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\u00a06. A bright pass of the ISS<\/strong><\/h3>Sometimes it\u2019s all too easy to forget that there\u2019s a huge laboratory orbiting Earth. Seeing the International Space Station<\/a> shining brightly as it passes overhead dramatically brings it all home.<\/p>7. A circumzenithal arc<\/strong><\/h3>This colourful atmospheric phenomenon is only visible during the daytime, high up overhead. These rainbow-coloured arcs are caused by ice crystals refracting sunlight.<\/p>
8. A noctilucent cloud display<\/strong><\/h3>In the early summer months, after sunset and before sunrise, it\u2019s sometimes possible to see noctilucent clouds<\/a>, or ‘night shining’ clouds. Caused by tiny ice crystals high in our atmosphere reflecting light from the Sun, these clouds create beautiful glowing patterns.<\/p>9. A big meteor shower<\/strong><\/h3>Sometimes the conditions are right for one of the big meteor showers \u2013 the Geminids<\/a>, Leonids<\/a> and Perseids<\/a> in particular \u2013 to put on a really cracking show, with heightened levels of activity. If you catch one it won\u2019t be a night you soon forget. Find out when the next meteor shower<\/a> is taking place.<\/p>10. A meteor fireball\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>It\u2019s not uncommon to see a few shooting stars while out observing, but meteor fireballs are always memorable. Some leave a glowing trail behind them for a split second; occasionally they break up into several glittering fragments.<\/p>Fireball meteor captured by Michael Kleinburger, Hochkar, Austria, 15 July 2023Equipment: Astro-modded Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera, Nikon Z 50mm lens<\/figcaption><\/figure>11. The southern hemisphere Milky Way<\/strong><\/h3>Truth be told, the southern hemisphere Milky Way is more impressive than what\u2019s visible far north of the equator. On a clear night the area from Sagittarius<\/a> and Scorpius to Carina and Crux is breathtaking.<\/p>12. The Magellanic Clouds<\/strong><\/h3>Appearing as misty patches of light to the naked eye, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds \u2013 both galaxies near to the Milky Way \u2013 are surely on every astronomer\u2019s wish list. You\u2019ll need dark, transparent skies to see them well.<\/p>
13. A lunar halo<\/strong><\/h3>Just occasionally, often when the Moon is near to full, you might spot a large ring of faint light around our nearest neighbour. This is an atmospheric phenomenon known as a lunar halo<\/a>, created by ice crystals refracting the light from the Moon.<\/p>14. The aurora<\/strong><\/h3>Few natural phenomena evoke such intense feelings of awe as the aurora. The source of many myths and legends, a strong auroral display is one of the most beautiful and dynamic celestial events that can be seen.<\/p>
15. The Zodiacal Light<\/strong><\/h3>You\u2019ll need really clear, dark skies to see the Zodiacal Light<\/a>, which amazingly is light scattered off tiny dust particles in the plane of the Solar System. Spring and autumn are a good time to look out for it.<\/p>Zodiacal Light captured by Joshua Rhoades, Mason County, Illinois, USA, 7 March 2021.<\/figcaption><\/figure>16. The Gegenschein<\/strong><\/h3>Formed in the same way as the Zodiacal Light, the Gegenschein, or \u2018counterglow\u2019, also requires incredibly dark, transparent skies to see. It appears as a patch of extremely faint light directly opposite the location of the Sun in the sky, hence its name.<\/p>
17. A bright naked-eye comet<\/strong><\/h3>As astronomers we all long for the appearance of a bright naked-eye comet with glowing tails resplendent against a starry sky. Find out what’s visible currently in our guide to comets and asteroids tonight<\/a>.<\/p>18. A daylight meteor fireball\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you\u2019ve seen a daylight meteor fireball, consider yourself extraordinarily lucky. Spotting a space rock blazing across the daytime sky ranks among the most spectacular\u00a0 sights in this list.<\/p>
Solar sights<\/strong><\/h2>Solar prominence captured by Kevin Stewart, Northumberland, UK, August 27 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>19. A solar prominence<\/strong><\/h3>Solar prominences<\/a> are huge tendrils of plasma that appear to reach up above the Sun\u2019s limb. Watching their shape change over a few hours is fascinating, but you will need a specialist hydrogen-alpha solar telescope to see them. Never observe the Sun with the naked eye or anything but certified solar-viewing equipment. That goes for all the solar targets on our list.<\/p>20. A sunspot\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>When powerful magnetic fields in the Sun stop hot material from rising, a cooler region forms on the Sun\u2019s \u2018surface\u2019. These \u2018sunspots<\/a>\u2019 appear black in contrast to the bright surroundings. They can be seen with a telescope fitted with a specialist solar filter.<\/p>21. A solar filament<\/strong><\/h3>A solar filament is exactly the same object as a prominence except it\u2019s seen in silhouette against the bright disc of the Sun. Like prominences, you\u2019ll also need a specialist hydrogen-alpha solar telescope to see them.<\/p>
22. A total solar eclipse<\/strong><\/h3>When it comes to celestial events the king of them all has to be the total solar eclipse<\/a>. Caused when the Moon completely obscures the disc of the Sun they are a truly awe-inspiring experience. Find out when the next eclipse<\/a> is taking place.<\/p>23. An annular eclipse\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>An annular solar eclipse<\/a> occurs when the Moon doesn\u2019t completely block the blazing disc of Sun, creating the famous \u2018ring of fire\u2019. Since some part of the Sun is always visible, you must use a specialist certified solar filter to watch an annular eclipse safely.<\/p>24. The transit of Mercury\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A transit of Mercury<\/a> is when tiny planet Mercury passes across the face of the Sun. You\u2019ll need toMercury in Transit by Phil Benson, SE Essex, UK.<\/figcaption><\/figure>25. A sundog<\/strong><\/h3>On a sunny day, when the sky is strewn with wispy clouds, it\u2019s not uncommon to spot a parhelion or \u2018sundog<\/a>\u2019. These rainbow coloured patches of light, some way to the side of the Sun, are formed by ice crystals within the thin clouds.<\/p>26. A solar flare<\/strong><\/h3>If you own a hydrogen-alpha solar telescope<\/a> it\u2019s worth keeping an eye on any angry active regions and sunspots you see. Occasionally they release powerful solar flares \u2013 huge explosions that appear like a spot of bright white light.<\/p>The Moon<\/strong><\/h2>27. Crater Copernicus<\/strong><\/h3>Crater Copernicus<\/a> has it all. Measuring almost 100km across, its walls are intricately terraced and a beautiful ray system surrounds the crater. The nights of 14 and 15 September are a perfect time to observe it.<\/p>28. Mons Piton and Mons Pico\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>These two lunar mountains stand out conspicuously from the smooth surface of the northern Mare Imbrium<\/a>. Mons Pico can be found south of the large crater Plato, while Mons Piton lies west of the crater Cassini.<\/p>29. The lunar maria<\/strong><\/h3>The lunar maria<\/a> or ‘lunar seas’ are huge basalt plains formed by floods of lava. You can see them with the naked eye, but a small scope can reveal the interesting textures and varied colourations of their seemingly smooth surfaces.<\/p>30. A lunar occultation\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A lunar occultation<\/a> occurs when the Moon passes in front of a bright star or planet. There\u2019s nothing quite like watching the beautiful rings of Saturn or Jupiter and its Galilean moons pop out from behind the Moon\u2019s jagged edge. Find out more in our guide one how to calculate and observe lunar occultations<\/a>.<\/p>Lunar occultation of Venus captured by Shreya Roy, Kolkata, India, 24 March 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>31. The Arago Domes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>This small collection of volcanic domes sits on the lunar surface<\/a> near to the crater Arago. Look out for them. You\u2019ll find one dome just north of Arago and another west of it.<\/p>32. Crater Plato\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Beautiful Crater Plato<\/a> lies nestled among the broken landscape near the northern edge of the Mare Imbrium. It has a smooth floor and is surrounded by some other interesting features, including Rima Plato and the Montes Teneriffe.<\/p>33. Crater Gassendi\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Gassendi<\/a> is a fascinating crater on the northern edge of the Mare Humorum<\/a>. It measures around 110km in diameter and, if you catch it at the right illumination, you\u2019ll be able to see a superb network of rilles on its floor.<\/p>34. The lunar Apennines<\/strong><\/h3>The Apennines mountain range<\/a> stretches over 900km across the Moon’s surface. It’s particularly striking when lit from the side \u2013 when the peaks cast huge, inky black shadows onto the surrounding landscape. <\/p>35. Craters Ptolemaeus, Alphonsus AND Arzachel\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>These three imposing craters sit close to the centre of the Moon\u2019s near side. The largest of them, Ptolemaeus<\/a>, has a smooth floor that\u2019s pockmarked with lots more tiny craters.<\/p>Clavius is a wonderfully rugged moon crater, ripe for observing with a telescope. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/figcaption><\/figure>36. Crater Clavius<\/strong><\/h3>Clavius<\/a> is one of those craters that astronomers love to go back to. It stretches over 200km across and its floor is covered in many smaller craters of varying sizes. The nights of 14, 15 and 16 September are ideal times to observe it.<\/p>37. Hadley Rille<\/strong><\/h3>Famous as one of the features explored by the Apollo 15 astronauts, Hadley Rille is also a great target to look for with a large telescope. Under suitable illumination it appears as a little meandering black line near the northern end of the lunar Apennines.<\/p>
38. The Vallis Alpes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Cutting through the lunar Alps, the 150km-long Vallis Alpes is one of the most interesting features on the Moon\u2019s surface. This valley can be spotted with even a small telescope.<\/p>
39. Rupes Recta<\/strong><\/h3>Rupes Recta<\/a> is perhaps best known as the Straight Wall. It is a 110km-long fault reaching over 270m above the lunar surface. Under the right illumination, it appears as a thin black line near to crater Birt.<\/p>40. A total lunar eclipse\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A total lunar eclipse<\/a> is a graceful affair that sees our Moon\u2019s usually bright disc bathed in a deep coppery-red light \u2013 the result of it being immersed in the darkest part of Earth\u2019s shadow.<\/p>The total lunar eclipse of 8 November 2022 captured by Felix Zai from Toronto, Canada.<\/figcaption><\/figure>41. Lunar ray systems\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you look at the Moon when it\u2019s full you can\u2019t fail to notice the bright ray systems that stretch across its surface. These lunar ray ejecta systems<\/a> are material thrown out from asteroid impacts. The finest example is the network emanating from crater Tycho.<\/p>42. Craters Petavius and Langrenus<\/strong><\/h3>These craters are a bit of a double act, as their position on the Moon means they\u2019re often well illuminated at the same time. Petavius<\/a> is especially interesting as it has an intricate rille network within its walls.<\/p>43. A Moondog<\/strong><\/h3>Occasionally tiny ice crystals form in our atmosphere, within thin cloud, that refract moonlight, creating two faint rainbow-like patches of light either side of the Moon. These paraselenae or \u2018moondogs\u2019 are beautiful to behold.<\/p>
44. Crater Theophilus<\/strong><\/h3>One of the grandest craters on the Moon\u2019s near side, Theophilus is a great sight in a small telescope. It has impressive terraced walls and a fine cluster of central peaks. Look for it when it takes centre stage near the Moon\u2019s terminator<\/a>.<\/p>45. Schr\u00f6ter\u2019s Valley<\/strong><\/h3>Another interesting lunar rille, Schr\u00f6ter\u2019s Valley sits near the bright crater Aristarchus<\/a>. To see it best requires a low angle of illumination from\u00a0 the Sun.<\/p>46. Crater Posidonius<\/strong><\/h3>Crater Posidonius sits on the northeastern shore of the Mare Serenitatis<\/a>. It measures about 100km across and is a fine target for a small to medium aperture telescope.<\/p>Planets<\/strong><\/h2>Jupiter with triple moon transit by Sona Shahani Shukla, New Delhi, India, 15 August 2021<\/figcaption><\/figure>47. A jovian moon shadow transit<\/strong><\/h3>Few celestial events are as fascinating to watch as the shadow of a tiny moon moving across Jupiter\u2019s disc \u2013 known as a Jovian shadow transit.<\/p>
48. Jupiter’s Moons<\/strong><\/h3>Look at Jupiter with binoculars and you should be able to spot the four Galilean moons<\/a>: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Use a telescope and you\u2019ll be able to see them change position night by night much more clearly.<\/p>49. The crescent Venus<\/strong><\/h3>Just like our Moon, the planet Venus exhibits phases. Venus\u2019s thin crescent phase is especially beautiful
50. Saturn\u2019s moons\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you\u2019ve marvelled at Saturn\u2019s rings through a telescope it won\u2019t have escaped your notice that the planet is accompanied by a band of moons. Titan, the largest of these, is easy to see, and a large scope will show some of the others.<\/p>
51. Jupiter\u2019s Great Red Spot\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Jupiter\u2019s Great Red Spot<\/a> is the most famous storm in the Solar System. But did you know it can be seen with a 6-inch telescope? Observe it when the planet is prominent in the night sky and you’ll easily be able to make it out.<\/p>Jupiter and the Great Red Spot by Harvey Scoot, Essex UK.<\/figcaption><\/figure>52. Mercury and Venus together\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Since they are physically close to the Sun, Mercury and Venus generally also appear near to the Sun in the sky. The sight of them together just before sunrise or just after sunset \u2013 enveloped in the colours of twilight \u2013 is captivating.<\/p>
53. The rings of Saturn<\/strong><\/h3>Four of the planets in the Solar System have ring systems, but it\u2019s Saturn that sports the finest of them all. Saturns’ rings<\/a> can be seen with a small telescope, but are an incredible sight in a large one.<\/p>54. An asteroid<\/strong><\/h3>Asteroids<\/a> such as Vesta appear as nothing more than a point of light through a telescope. While that may be the case, actually observing one with your own eyes is definitely a sight every astronomer should try and witness.<\/p>55. Mars at opposition<\/strong><\/h3>Our planetary neighbour is best seen around opposition<\/a> \u2013 when, from our perspective, it is directly opposite the Sun in its orbit. With a small scope, look out for the dark markings on its surface and one of its polar ice caps.<\/p>56. Uranus and Neptune<\/strong><\/h3>Everyone likes a challenge, and observing Uranus or Neptune with a scope is certainly a fun one. To see their tiny blue-tinged discs well you\u2019ll need a large aperture telescope and high magnification.<\/p>Mars at opposition Robert Smith, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, 7 December 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>Deep-sky<\/strong><\/h2>57. Epsilon Lyrae\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>This wonderful star system \u2013 known fondly as the Double Double<\/a> \u2013 can be seen with a modest telescope. It appears as two stars at first glance, but look closely and you\u2019ll see each one is a pair of stars in itself.<\/p>58. The Pleiades<\/strong><\/h3>There\u2019s no way that the finest celestial objects could not contain the Pleiades<\/a> star cluster, M45. It\u2019s easily visible with the naked eye and is a spectacular sight through a telescope at low magnification.<\/p>59. The Double Cluster \u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Located in the constellation of Perseus, this lovely duo of clusters can be seen with a good pair of binoculars. To see the Double Cluster<\/a> at its glittering best, use a high- quality wide-field refractor.<\/p>60. M5\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Globular cluster<\/a> M5 lies in the constellation of Serpens. We recommend observing it through a large aperture telescope, like a big Dobsonian, to get that real 3D feeling.<\/p>Double star Albireo by Tony Moss, Downham Market, Norfolk, 8th June 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>61. Albireo<\/strong><\/h3>To many, Albireo<\/a> (Beta (\u03b2) Cygni) is the finest double star<\/a> in the night sky. The two stars sit at the head of Cygnus, the Swan, and appear blue and gold through the eyepiece of a small telescope.<\/p>62. M22<\/strong><\/h3>M22 is one of the finest globular clusters to observe during the summer months. Set against the myriad stars of the rich Milky Way in Sagittarius, it\u2019s a superb sight in a small telescope.<\/p>
\u00a06. A bright pass of the ISS<\/strong><\/h3>Sometimes it\u2019s all too easy to forget that there\u2019s a huge laboratory orbiting Earth. Seeing the International Space Station<\/a> shining brightly as it passes overhead dramatically brings it all home.<\/p>7. A circumzenithal arc<\/strong><\/h3>This colourful atmospheric phenomenon is only visible during the daytime, high up overhead. These rainbow-coloured arcs are caused by ice crystals refracting sunlight.<\/p>
8. A noctilucent cloud display<\/strong><\/h3>In the early summer months, after sunset and before sunrise, it\u2019s sometimes possible to see noctilucent clouds<\/a>, or ‘night shining’ clouds. Caused by tiny ice crystals high in our atmosphere reflecting light from the Sun, these clouds create beautiful glowing patterns.<\/p>9. A big meteor shower<\/strong><\/h3>Sometimes the conditions are right for one of the big meteor showers \u2013 the Geminids<\/a>, Leonids<\/a> and Perseids<\/a> in particular \u2013 to put on a really cracking show, with heightened levels of activity. If you catch one it won\u2019t be a night you soon forget. Find out when the next meteor shower<\/a> is taking place.<\/p>10. A meteor fireball\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>It\u2019s not uncommon to see a few shooting stars while out observing, but meteor fireballs are always memorable. Some leave a glowing trail behind them for a split second; occasionally they break up into several glittering fragments.<\/p>Fireball meteor captured by Michael Kleinburger, Hochkar, Austria, 15 July 2023Equipment: Astro-modded Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera, Nikon Z 50mm lens<\/figcaption><\/figure>11. The southern hemisphere Milky Way<\/strong><\/h3>Truth be told, the southern hemisphere Milky Way is more impressive than what\u2019s visible far north of the equator. On a clear night the area from Sagittarius<\/a> and Scorpius to Carina and Crux is breathtaking.<\/p>12. The Magellanic Clouds<\/strong><\/h3>Appearing as misty patches of light to the naked eye, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds \u2013 both galaxies near to the Milky Way \u2013 are surely on every astronomer\u2019s wish list. You\u2019ll need dark, transparent skies to see them well.<\/p>
13. A lunar halo<\/strong><\/h3>Just occasionally, often when the Moon is near to full, you might spot a large ring of faint light around our nearest neighbour. This is an atmospheric phenomenon known as a lunar halo<\/a>, created by ice crystals refracting the light from the Moon.<\/p>14. The aurora<\/strong><\/h3>Few natural phenomena evoke such intense feelings of awe as the aurora. The source of many myths and legends, a strong auroral display is one of the most beautiful and dynamic celestial events that can be seen.<\/p>
15. The Zodiacal Light<\/strong><\/h3>You\u2019ll need really clear, dark skies to see the Zodiacal Light<\/a>, which amazingly is light scattered off tiny dust particles in the plane of the Solar System. Spring and autumn are a good time to look out for it.<\/p>Zodiacal Light captured by Joshua Rhoades, Mason County, Illinois, USA, 7 March 2021.<\/figcaption><\/figure>16. The Gegenschein<\/strong><\/h3>Formed in the same way as the Zodiacal Light, the Gegenschein, or \u2018counterglow\u2019, also requires incredibly dark, transparent skies to see. It appears as a patch of extremely faint light directly opposite the location of the Sun in the sky, hence its name.<\/p>
17. A bright naked-eye comet<\/strong><\/h3>As astronomers we all long for the appearance of a bright naked-eye comet with glowing tails resplendent against a starry sky. Find out what’s visible currently in our guide to comets and asteroids tonight<\/a>.<\/p>18. A daylight meteor fireball\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you\u2019ve seen a daylight meteor fireball, consider yourself extraordinarily lucky. Spotting a space rock blazing across the daytime sky ranks among the most spectacular\u00a0 sights in this list.<\/p>
Solar sights<\/strong><\/h2>Solar prominence captured by Kevin Stewart, Northumberland, UK, August 27 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>19. A solar prominence<\/strong><\/h3>Solar prominences<\/a> are huge tendrils of plasma that appear to reach up above the Sun\u2019s limb. Watching their shape change over a few hours is fascinating, but you will need a specialist hydrogen-alpha solar telescope to see them. Never observe the Sun with the naked eye or anything but certified solar-viewing equipment. That goes for all the solar targets on our list.<\/p>20. A sunspot\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>When powerful magnetic fields in the Sun stop hot material from rising, a cooler region forms on the Sun\u2019s \u2018surface\u2019. These \u2018sunspots<\/a>\u2019 appear black in contrast to the bright surroundings. They can be seen with a telescope fitted with a specialist solar filter.<\/p>21. A solar filament<\/strong><\/h3>A solar filament is exactly the same object as a prominence except it\u2019s seen in silhouette against the bright disc of the Sun. Like prominences, you\u2019ll also need a specialist hydrogen-alpha solar telescope to see them.<\/p>
22. A total solar eclipse<\/strong><\/h3>When it comes to celestial events the king of them all has to be the total solar eclipse<\/a>. Caused when the Moon completely obscures the disc of the Sun they are a truly awe-inspiring experience. Find out when the next eclipse<\/a> is taking place.<\/p>23. An annular eclipse\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>An annular solar eclipse<\/a> occurs when the Moon doesn\u2019t completely block the blazing disc of Sun, creating the famous \u2018ring of fire\u2019. Since some part of the Sun is always visible, you must use a specialist certified solar filter to watch an annular eclipse safely.<\/p>24. The transit of Mercury\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A transit of Mercury<\/a> is when tiny planet Mercury passes across the face of the Sun. You\u2019ll need toMercury in Transit by Phil Benson, SE Essex, UK.<\/figcaption><\/figure>25. A sundog<\/strong><\/h3>On a sunny day, when the sky is strewn with wispy clouds, it\u2019s not uncommon to spot a parhelion or \u2018sundog<\/a>\u2019. These rainbow coloured patches of light, some way to the side of the Sun, are formed by ice crystals within the thin clouds.<\/p>26. A solar flare<\/strong><\/h3>If you own a hydrogen-alpha solar telescope<\/a> it\u2019s worth keeping an eye on any angry active regions and sunspots you see. Occasionally they release powerful solar flares \u2013 huge explosions that appear like a spot of bright white light.<\/p>The Moon<\/strong><\/h2>27. Crater Copernicus<\/strong><\/h3>Crater Copernicus<\/a> has it all. Measuring almost 100km across, its walls are intricately terraced and a beautiful ray system surrounds the crater. The nights of 14 and 15 September are a perfect time to observe it.<\/p>28. Mons Piton and Mons Pico\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>These two lunar mountains stand out conspicuously from the smooth surface of the northern Mare Imbrium<\/a>. Mons Pico can be found south of the large crater Plato, while Mons Piton lies west of the crater Cassini.<\/p>29. The lunar maria<\/strong><\/h3>The lunar maria<\/a> or ‘lunar seas’ are huge basalt plains formed by floods of lava. You can see them with the naked eye, but a small scope can reveal the interesting textures and varied colourations of their seemingly smooth surfaces.<\/p>30. A lunar occultation\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A lunar occultation<\/a> occurs when the Moon passes in front of a bright star or planet. There\u2019s nothing quite like watching the beautiful rings of Saturn or Jupiter and its Galilean moons pop out from behind the Moon\u2019s jagged edge. Find out more in our guide one how to calculate and observe lunar occultations<\/a>.<\/p>Lunar occultation of Venus captured by Shreya Roy, Kolkata, India, 24 March 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>31. The Arago Domes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>This small collection of volcanic domes sits on the lunar surface<\/a> near to the crater Arago. Look out for them. You\u2019ll find one dome just north of Arago and another west of it.<\/p>32. Crater Plato\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Beautiful Crater Plato<\/a> lies nestled among the broken landscape near the northern edge of the Mare Imbrium. It has a smooth floor and is surrounded by some other interesting features, including Rima Plato and the Montes Teneriffe.<\/p>33. Crater Gassendi\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Gassendi<\/a> is a fascinating crater on the northern edge of the Mare Humorum<\/a>. It measures around 110km in diameter and, if you catch it at the right illumination, you\u2019ll be able to see a superb network of rilles on its floor.<\/p>34. The lunar Apennines<\/strong><\/h3>The Apennines mountain range<\/a> stretches over 900km across the Moon’s surface. It’s particularly striking when lit from the side \u2013 when the peaks cast huge, inky black shadows onto the surrounding landscape. <\/p>35. Craters Ptolemaeus, Alphonsus AND Arzachel\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>These three imposing craters sit close to the centre of the Moon\u2019s near side. The largest of them, Ptolemaeus<\/a>, has a smooth floor that\u2019s pockmarked with lots more tiny craters.<\/p>Clavius is a wonderfully rugged moon crater, ripe for observing with a telescope. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/figcaption><\/figure>36. Crater Clavius<\/strong><\/h3>Clavius<\/a> is one of those craters that astronomers love to go back to. It stretches over 200km across and its floor is covered in many smaller craters of varying sizes. The nights of 14, 15 and 16 September are ideal times to observe it.<\/p>37. Hadley Rille<\/strong><\/h3>Famous as one of the features explored by the Apollo 15 astronauts, Hadley Rille is also a great target to look for with a large telescope. Under suitable illumination it appears as a little meandering black line near the northern end of the lunar Apennines.<\/p>
38. The Vallis Alpes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Cutting through the lunar Alps, the 150km-long Vallis Alpes is one of the most interesting features on the Moon\u2019s surface. This valley can be spotted with even a small telescope.<\/p>
39. Rupes Recta<\/strong><\/h3>Rupes Recta<\/a> is perhaps best known as the Straight Wall. It is a 110km-long fault reaching over 270m above the lunar surface. Under the right illumination, it appears as a thin black line near to crater Birt.<\/p>40. A total lunar eclipse\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A total lunar eclipse<\/a> is a graceful affair that sees our Moon\u2019s usually bright disc bathed in a deep coppery-red light \u2013 the result of it being immersed in the darkest part of Earth\u2019s shadow.<\/p>The total lunar eclipse of 8 November 2022 captured by Felix Zai from Toronto, Canada.<\/figcaption><\/figure>41. Lunar ray systems\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you look at the Moon when it\u2019s full you can\u2019t fail to notice the bright ray systems that stretch across its surface. These lunar ray ejecta systems<\/a> are material thrown out from asteroid impacts. The finest example is the network emanating from crater Tycho.<\/p>42. Craters Petavius and Langrenus<\/strong><\/h3>These craters are a bit of a double act, as their position on the Moon means they\u2019re often well illuminated at the same time. Petavius<\/a> is especially interesting as it has an intricate rille network within its walls.<\/p>43. A Moondog<\/strong><\/h3>Occasionally tiny ice crystals form in our atmosphere, within thin cloud, that refract moonlight, creating two faint rainbow-like patches of light either side of the Moon. These paraselenae or \u2018moondogs\u2019 are beautiful to behold.<\/p>
44. Crater Theophilus<\/strong><\/h3>One of the grandest craters on the Moon\u2019s near side, Theophilus is a great sight in a small telescope. It has impressive terraced walls and a fine cluster of central peaks. Look for it when it takes centre stage near the Moon\u2019s terminator<\/a>.<\/p>45. Schr\u00f6ter\u2019s Valley<\/strong><\/h3>Another interesting lunar rille, Schr\u00f6ter\u2019s Valley sits near the bright crater Aristarchus<\/a>. To see it best requires a low angle of illumination from\u00a0 the Sun.<\/p>46. Crater Posidonius<\/strong><\/h3>Crater Posidonius sits on the northeastern shore of the Mare Serenitatis<\/a>. It measures about 100km across and is a fine target for a small to medium aperture telescope.<\/p>Planets<\/strong><\/h2>Jupiter with triple moon transit by Sona Shahani Shukla, New Delhi, India, 15 August 2021<\/figcaption><\/figure>47. A jovian moon shadow transit<\/strong><\/h3>Few celestial events are as fascinating to watch as the shadow of a tiny moon moving across Jupiter\u2019s disc \u2013 known as a Jovian shadow transit.<\/p>
48. Jupiter’s Moons<\/strong><\/h3>Look at Jupiter with binoculars and you should be able to spot the four Galilean moons<\/a>: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Use a telescope and you\u2019ll be able to see them change position night by night much more clearly.<\/p>49. The crescent Venus<\/strong><\/h3>Just like our Moon, the planet Venus exhibits phases. Venus\u2019s thin crescent phase is especially beautiful
50. Saturn\u2019s moons\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you\u2019ve marvelled at Saturn\u2019s rings through a telescope it won\u2019t have escaped your notice that the planet is accompanied by a band of moons. Titan, the largest of these, is easy to see, and a large scope will show some of the others.<\/p>
51. Jupiter\u2019s Great Red Spot\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Jupiter\u2019s Great Red Spot<\/a> is the most famous storm in the Solar System. But did you know it can be seen with a 6-inch telescope? Observe it when the planet is prominent in the night sky and you’ll easily be able to make it out.<\/p>Jupiter and the Great Red Spot by Harvey Scoot, Essex UK.<\/figcaption><\/figure>52. Mercury and Venus together\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Since they are physically close to the Sun, Mercury and Venus generally also appear near to the Sun in the sky. The sight of them together just before sunrise or just after sunset \u2013 enveloped in the colours of twilight \u2013 is captivating.<\/p>
53. The rings of Saturn<\/strong><\/h3>Four of the planets in the Solar System have ring systems, but it\u2019s Saturn that sports the finest of them all. Saturns’ rings<\/a> can be seen with a small telescope, but are an incredible sight in a large one.<\/p>54. An asteroid<\/strong><\/h3>Asteroids<\/a> such as Vesta appear as nothing more than a point of light through a telescope. While that may be the case, actually observing one with your own eyes is definitely a sight every astronomer should try and witness.<\/p>55. Mars at opposition<\/strong><\/h3>Our planetary neighbour is best seen around opposition<\/a> \u2013 when, from our perspective, it is directly opposite the Sun in its orbit. With a small scope, look out for the dark markings on its surface and one of its polar ice caps.<\/p>56. Uranus and Neptune<\/strong><\/h3>Everyone likes a challenge, and observing Uranus or Neptune with a scope is certainly a fun one. To see their tiny blue-tinged discs well you\u2019ll need a large aperture telescope and high magnification.<\/p>Mars at opposition Robert Smith, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, 7 December 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>Deep-sky<\/strong><\/h2>57. Epsilon Lyrae\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>This wonderful star system \u2013 known fondly as the Double Double<\/a> \u2013 can be seen with a modest telescope. It appears as two stars at first glance, but look closely and you\u2019ll see each one is a pair of stars in itself.<\/p>58. The Pleiades<\/strong><\/h3>There\u2019s no way that the finest celestial objects could not contain the Pleiades<\/a> star cluster, M45. It\u2019s easily visible with the naked eye and is a spectacular sight through a telescope at low magnification.<\/p>59. The Double Cluster \u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Located in the constellation of Perseus, this lovely duo of clusters can be seen with a good pair of binoculars. To see the Double Cluster<\/a> at its glittering best, use a high- quality wide-field refractor.<\/p>60. M5\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Globular cluster<\/a> M5 lies in the constellation of Serpens. We recommend observing it through a large aperture telescope, like a big Dobsonian, to get that real 3D feeling.<\/p>Double star Albireo by Tony Moss, Downham Market, Norfolk, 8th June 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>61. Albireo<\/strong><\/h3>To many, Albireo<\/a> (Beta (\u03b2) Cygni) is the finest double star<\/a> in the night sky. The two stars sit at the head of Cygnus, the Swan, and appear blue and gold through the eyepiece of a small telescope.<\/p>62. M22<\/strong><\/h3>M22 is one of the finest globular clusters to observe during the summer months. Set against the myriad stars of the rich Milky Way in Sagittarius, it\u2019s a superb sight in a small telescope.<\/p>
7. A circumzenithal arc<\/strong><\/h3>This colourful atmospheric phenomenon is only visible during the daytime, high up overhead. These rainbow-coloured arcs are caused by ice crystals refracting sunlight.<\/p>
8. A noctilucent cloud display<\/strong><\/h3>In the early summer months, after sunset and before sunrise, it\u2019s sometimes possible to see noctilucent clouds<\/a>, or ‘night shining’ clouds. Caused by tiny ice crystals high in our atmosphere reflecting light from the Sun, these clouds create beautiful glowing patterns.<\/p>9. A big meteor shower<\/strong><\/h3>Sometimes the conditions are right for one of the big meteor showers \u2013 the Geminids<\/a>, Leonids<\/a> and Perseids<\/a> in particular \u2013 to put on a really cracking show, with heightened levels of activity. If you catch one it won\u2019t be a night you soon forget. Find out when the next meteor shower<\/a> is taking place.<\/p>10. A meteor fireball\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>It\u2019s not uncommon to see a few shooting stars while out observing, but meteor fireballs are always memorable. Some leave a glowing trail behind them for a split second; occasionally they break up into several glittering fragments.<\/p>Fireball meteor captured by Michael Kleinburger, Hochkar, Austria, 15 July 2023Equipment: Astro-modded Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera, Nikon Z 50mm lens<\/figcaption><\/figure>11. The southern hemisphere Milky Way<\/strong><\/h3>Truth be told, the southern hemisphere Milky Way is more impressive than what\u2019s visible far north of the equator. On a clear night the area from Sagittarius<\/a> and Scorpius to Carina and Crux is breathtaking.<\/p>12. The Magellanic Clouds<\/strong><\/h3>Appearing as misty patches of light to the naked eye, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds \u2013 both galaxies near to the Milky Way \u2013 are surely on every astronomer\u2019s wish list. You\u2019ll need dark, transparent skies to see them well.<\/p>
13. A lunar halo<\/strong><\/h3>Just occasionally, often when the Moon is near to full, you might spot a large ring of faint light around our nearest neighbour. This is an atmospheric phenomenon known as a lunar halo<\/a>, created by ice crystals refracting the light from the Moon.<\/p>14. The aurora<\/strong><\/h3>Few natural phenomena evoke such intense feelings of awe as the aurora. The source of many myths and legends, a strong auroral display is one of the most beautiful and dynamic celestial events that can be seen.<\/p>
15. The Zodiacal Light<\/strong><\/h3>You\u2019ll need really clear, dark skies to see the Zodiacal Light<\/a>, which amazingly is light scattered off tiny dust particles in the plane of the Solar System. Spring and autumn are a good time to look out for it.<\/p>Zodiacal Light captured by Joshua Rhoades, Mason County, Illinois, USA, 7 March 2021.<\/figcaption><\/figure>16. The Gegenschein<\/strong><\/h3>Formed in the same way as the Zodiacal Light, the Gegenschein, or \u2018counterglow\u2019, also requires incredibly dark, transparent skies to see. It appears as a patch of extremely faint light directly opposite the location of the Sun in the sky, hence its name.<\/p>
17. A bright naked-eye comet<\/strong><\/h3>As astronomers we all long for the appearance of a bright naked-eye comet with glowing tails resplendent against a starry sky. Find out what’s visible currently in our guide to comets and asteroids tonight<\/a>.<\/p>18. A daylight meteor fireball\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you\u2019ve seen a daylight meteor fireball, consider yourself extraordinarily lucky. Spotting a space rock blazing across the daytime sky ranks among the most spectacular\u00a0 sights in this list.<\/p>
Solar sights<\/strong><\/h2>Solar prominence captured by Kevin Stewart, Northumberland, UK, August 27 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>19. A solar prominence<\/strong><\/h3>Solar prominences<\/a> are huge tendrils of plasma that appear to reach up above the Sun\u2019s limb. Watching their shape change over a few hours is fascinating, but you will need a specialist hydrogen-alpha solar telescope to see them. Never observe the Sun with the naked eye or anything but certified solar-viewing equipment. That goes for all the solar targets on our list.<\/p>20. A sunspot\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>When powerful magnetic fields in the Sun stop hot material from rising, a cooler region forms on the Sun\u2019s \u2018surface\u2019. These \u2018sunspots<\/a>\u2019 appear black in contrast to the bright surroundings. They can be seen with a telescope fitted with a specialist solar filter.<\/p>21. A solar filament<\/strong><\/h3>A solar filament is exactly the same object as a prominence except it\u2019s seen in silhouette against the bright disc of the Sun. Like prominences, you\u2019ll also need a specialist hydrogen-alpha solar telescope to see them.<\/p>
22. A total solar eclipse<\/strong><\/h3>When it comes to celestial events the king of them all has to be the total solar eclipse<\/a>. Caused when the Moon completely obscures the disc of the Sun they are a truly awe-inspiring experience. Find out when the next eclipse<\/a> is taking place.<\/p>23. An annular eclipse\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>An annular solar eclipse<\/a> occurs when the Moon doesn\u2019t completely block the blazing disc of Sun, creating the famous \u2018ring of fire\u2019. Since some part of the Sun is always visible, you must use a specialist certified solar filter to watch an annular eclipse safely.<\/p>24. The transit of Mercury\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A transit of Mercury<\/a> is when tiny planet Mercury passes across the face of the Sun. You\u2019ll need toMercury in Transit by Phil Benson, SE Essex, UK.<\/figcaption><\/figure>25. A sundog<\/strong><\/h3>On a sunny day, when the sky is strewn with wispy clouds, it\u2019s not uncommon to spot a parhelion or \u2018sundog<\/a>\u2019. These rainbow coloured patches of light, some way to the side of the Sun, are formed by ice crystals within the thin clouds.<\/p>26. A solar flare<\/strong><\/h3>If you own a hydrogen-alpha solar telescope<\/a> it\u2019s worth keeping an eye on any angry active regions and sunspots you see. Occasionally they release powerful solar flares \u2013 huge explosions that appear like a spot of bright white light.<\/p>The Moon<\/strong><\/h2>27. Crater Copernicus<\/strong><\/h3>Crater Copernicus<\/a> has it all. Measuring almost 100km across, its walls are intricately terraced and a beautiful ray system surrounds the crater. The nights of 14 and 15 September are a perfect time to observe it.<\/p>28. Mons Piton and Mons Pico\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>These two lunar mountains stand out conspicuously from the smooth surface of the northern Mare Imbrium<\/a>. Mons Pico can be found south of the large crater Plato, while Mons Piton lies west of the crater Cassini.<\/p>29. The lunar maria<\/strong><\/h3>The lunar maria<\/a> or ‘lunar seas’ are huge basalt plains formed by floods of lava. You can see them with the naked eye, but a small scope can reveal the interesting textures and varied colourations of their seemingly smooth surfaces.<\/p>30. A lunar occultation\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A lunar occultation<\/a> occurs when the Moon passes in front of a bright star or planet. There\u2019s nothing quite like watching the beautiful rings of Saturn or Jupiter and its Galilean moons pop out from behind the Moon\u2019s jagged edge. Find out more in our guide one how to calculate and observe lunar occultations<\/a>.<\/p>Lunar occultation of Venus captured by Shreya Roy, Kolkata, India, 24 March 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>31. The Arago Domes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>This small collection of volcanic domes sits on the lunar surface<\/a> near to the crater Arago. Look out for them. You\u2019ll find one dome just north of Arago and another west of it.<\/p>32. Crater Plato\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Beautiful Crater Plato<\/a> lies nestled among the broken landscape near the northern edge of the Mare Imbrium. It has a smooth floor and is surrounded by some other interesting features, including Rima Plato and the Montes Teneriffe.<\/p>33. Crater Gassendi\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Gassendi<\/a> is a fascinating crater on the northern edge of the Mare Humorum<\/a>. It measures around 110km in diameter and, if you catch it at the right illumination, you\u2019ll be able to see a superb network of rilles on its floor.<\/p>34. The lunar Apennines<\/strong><\/h3>The Apennines mountain range<\/a> stretches over 900km across the Moon’s surface. It’s particularly striking when lit from the side \u2013 when the peaks cast huge, inky black shadows onto the surrounding landscape. <\/p>35. Craters Ptolemaeus, Alphonsus AND Arzachel\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>These three imposing craters sit close to the centre of the Moon\u2019s near side. The largest of them, Ptolemaeus<\/a>, has a smooth floor that\u2019s pockmarked with lots more tiny craters.<\/p>Clavius is a wonderfully rugged moon crater, ripe for observing with a telescope. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/figcaption><\/figure>36. Crater Clavius<\/strong><\/h3>Clavius<\/a> is one of those craters that astronomers love to go back to. It stretches over 200km across and its floor is covered in many smaller craters of varying sizes. The nights of 14, 15 and 16 September are ideal times to observe it.<\/p>37. Hadley Rille<\/strong><\/h3>Famous as one of the features explored by the Apollo 15 astronauts, Hadley Rille is also a great target to look for with a large telescope. Under suitable illumination it appears as a little meandering black line near the northern end of the lunar Apennines.<\/p>
38. The Vallis Alpes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Cutting through the lunar Alps, the 150km-long Vallis Alpes is one of the most interesting features on the Moon\u2019s surface. This valley can be spotted with even a small telescope.<\/p>
39. Rupes Recta<\/strong><\/h3>Rupes Recta<\/a> is perhaps best known as the Straight Wall. It is a 110km-long fault reaching over 270m above the lunar surface. Under the right illumination, it appears as a thin black line near to crater Birt.<\/p>40. A total lunar eclipse\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>A total lunar eclipse<\/a> is a graceful affair that sees our Moon\u2019s usually bright disc bathed in a deep coppery-red light \u2013 the result of it being immersed in the darkest part of Earth\u2019s shadow.<\/p>The total lunar eclipse of 8 November 2022 captured by Felix Zai from Toronto, Canada.<\/figcaption><\/figure>41. Lunar ray systems\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you look at the Moon when it\u2019s full you can\u2019t fail to notice the bright ray systems that stretch across its surface. These lunar ray ejecta systems<\/a> are material thrown out from asteroid impacts. The finest example is the network emanating from crater Tycho.<\/p>42. Craters Petavius and Langrenus<\/strong><\/h3>These craters are a bit of a double act, as their position on the Moon means they\u2019re often well illuminated at the same time. Petavius<\/a> is especially interesting as it has an intricate rille network within its walls.<\/p>43. A Moondog<\/strong><\/h3>Occasionally tiny ice crystals form in our atmosphere, within thin cloud, that refract moonlight, creating two faint rainbow-like patches of light either side of the Moon. These paraselenae or \u2018moondogs\u2019 are beautiful to behold.<\/p>
44. Crater Theophilus<\/strong><\/h3>One of the grandest craters on the Moon\u2019s near side, Theophilus is a great sight in a small telescope. It has impressive terraced walls and a fine cluster of central peaks. Look for it when it takes centre stage near the Moon\u2019s terminator<\/a>.<\/p>45. Schr\u00f6ter\u2019s Valley<\/strong><\/h3>Another interesting lunar rille, Schr\u00f6ter\u2019s Valley sits near the bright crater Aristarchus<\/a>. To see it best requires a low angle of illumination from\u00a0 the Sun.<\/p>46. Crater Posidonius<\/strong><\/h3>Crater Posidonius sits on the northeastern shore of the Mare Serenitatis<\/a>. It measures about 100km across and is a fine target for a small to medium aperture telescope.<\/p>Planets<\/strong><\/h2>Jupiter with triple moon transit by Sona Shahani Shukla, New Delhi, India, 15 August 2021<\/figcaption><\/figure>47. A jovian moon shadow transit<\/strong><\/h3>Few celestial events are as fascinating to watch as the shadow of a tiny moon moving across Jupiter\u2019s disc \u2013 known as a Jovian shadow transit.<\/p>
48. Jupiter’s Moons<\/strong><\/h3>Look at Jupiter with binoculars and you should be able to spot the four Galilean moons<\/a>: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Use a telescope and you\u2019ll be able to see them change position night by night much more clearly.<\/p>49. The crescent Venus<\/strong><\/h3>Just like our Moon, the planet Venus exhibits phases. Venus\u2019s thin crescent phase is especially beautiful
50. Saturn\u2019s moons\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>If you\u2019ve marvelled at Saturn\u2019s rings through a telescope it won\u2019t have escaped your notice that the planet is accompanied by a band of moons. Titan, the largest of these, is easy to see, and a large scope will show some of the others.<\/p>
51. Jupiter\u2019s Great Red Spot\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Jupiter\u2019s Great Red Spot<\/a> is the most famous storm in the Solar System. But did you know it can be seen with a 6-inch telescope? Observe it when the planet is prominent in the night sky and you’ll easily be able to make it out.<\/p>Jupiter and the Great Red Spot by Harvey Scoot, Essex UK.<\/figcaption><\/figure>52. Mercury and Venus together\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Since they are physically close to the Sun, Mercury and Venus generally also appear near to the Sun in the sky. The sight of them together just before sunrise or just after sunset \u2013 enveloped in the colours of twilight \u2013 is captivating.<\/p>
53. The rings of Saturn<\/strong><\/h3>Four of the planets in the Solar System have ring systems, but it\u2019s Saturn that sports the finest of them all. Saturns’ rings<\/a> can be seen with a small telescope, but are an incredible sight in a large one.<\/p>54. An asteroid<\/strong><\/h3>Asteroids<\/a> such as Vesta appear as nothing more than a point of light through a telescope. While that may be the case, actually observing one with your own eyes is definitely a sight every astronomer should try and witness.<\/p>55. Mars at opposition<\/strong><\/h3>Our planetary neighbour is best seen around opposition<\/a> \u2013 when, from our perspective, it is directly opposite the Sun in its orbit. With a small scope, look out for the dark markings on its surface and one of its polar ice caps.<\/p>56. Uranus and Neptune<\/strong><\/h3>Everyone likes a challenge, and observing Uranus or Neptune with a scope is certainly a fun one. To see their tiny blue-tinged discs well you\u2019ll need a large aperture telescope and high magnification.<\/p>Mars at opposition Robert Smith, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, 7 December 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>Deep-sky<\/strong><\/h2>57. Epsilon Lyrae\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>This wonderful star system \u2013 known fondly as the Double Double<\/a> \u2013 can be seen with a modest telescope. It appears as two stars at first glance, but look closely and you\u2019ll see each one is a pair of stars in itself.<\/p>58. The Pleiades<\/strong><\/h3>There\u2019s no way that the finest celestial objects could not contain the Pleiades<\/a> star cluster, M45. It\u2019s easily visible with the naked eye and is a spectacular sight through a telescope at low magnification.<\/p>59. The Double Cluster \u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Located in the constellation of Perseus, this lovely duo of clusters can be seen with a good pair of binoculars. To see the Double Cluster<\/a> at its glittering best, use a high- quality wide-field refractor.<\/p>60. M5\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>Globular cluster<\/a> M5 lies in the constellation of Serpens. We recommend observing it through a large aperture telescope, like a big Dobsonian, to get that real 3D feeling.<\/p>Double star Albireo by Tony Moss, Downham Market, Norfolk, 8th June 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>61. Albireo<\/strong><\/h3>To many, Albireo<\/a> (Beta (\u03b2) Cygni) is the finest double star<\/a> in the night sky. The two stars sit at the head of Cygnus, the Swan, and appear blue and gold through the eyepiece of a small telescope.<\/p>62. M22<\/strong><\/h3>M22 is one of the finest globular clusters to observe during the summer months. Set against the myriad stars of the rich Milky Way in Sagittarius, it\u2019s a superb sight in a small telescope.<\/p>
In the early summer months, after sunset and before sunrise, it\u2019s sometimes possible to see noctilucent clouds<\/a>, or ‘night shining’ clouds. Caused by tiny ice crystals high in our atmosphere reflecting light from the Sun, these clouds create beautiful glowing patterns.<\/p> Sometimes the conditions are right for one of the big meteor showers \u2013 the Geminids<\/a>, Leonids<\/a> and Perseids<\/a> in particular \u2013 to put on a really cracking show, with heightened levels of activity. If you catch one it won\u2019t be a night you soon forget. Find out when the next meteor shower<\/a> is taking place.<\/p> It\u2019s not uncommon to see a few shooting stars while out observing, but meteor fireballs are always memorable. Some leave a glowing trail behind them for a split second; occasionally they break up into several glittering fragments.<\/p> Truth be told, the southern hemisphere Milky Way is more impressive than what\u2019s visible far north of the equator. On a clear night the area from Sagittarius<\/a> and Scorpius to Carina and Crux is breathtaking.<\/p> Appearing as misty patches of light to the naked eye, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds \u2013 both galaxies near to the Milky Way \u2013 are surely on every astronomer\u2019s wish list. You\u2019ll need dark, transparent skies to see them well.<\/p> Just occasionally, often when the Moon is near to full, you might spot a large ring of faint light around our nearest neighbour. This is an atmospheric phenomenon known as a lunar halo<\/a>, created by ice crystals refracting the light from the Moon.<\/p> Few natural phenomena evoke such intense feelings of awe as the aurora. The source of many myths and legends, a strong auroral display is one of the most beautiful and dynamic celestial events that can be seen.<\/p> You\u2019ll need really clear, dark skies to see the Zodiacal Light<\/a>, which amazingly is light scattered off tiny dust particles in the plane of the Solar System. Spring and autumn are a good time to look out for it.<\/p> Formed in the same way as the Zodiacal Light, the Gegenschein, or \u2018counterglow\u2019, also requires incredibly dark, transparent skies to see. It appears as a patch of extremely faint light directly opposite the location of the Sun in the sky, hence its name.<\/p> As astronomers we all long for the appearance of a bright naked-eye comet with glowing tails resplendent against a starry sky. Find out what’s visible currently in our guide to comets and asteroids tonight<\/a>.<\/p> If you\u2019ve seen a daylight meteor fireball, consider yourself extraordinarily lucky. Spotting a space rock blazing across the daytime sky ranks among the most spectacular\u00a0 sights in this list.<\/p> Solar prominences<\/a> are huge tendrils of plasma that appear to reach up above the Sun\u2019s limb. Watching their shape change over a few hours is fascinating, but you will need a specialist hydrogen-alpha solar telescope to see them. Never observe the Sun with the naked eye or anything but certified solar-viewing equipment. That goes for all the solar targets on our list.<\/p> When powerful magnetic fields in the Sun stop hot material from rising, a cooler region forms on the Sun\u2019s \u2018surface\u2019. These \u2018sunspots<\/a>\u2019 appear black in contrast to the bright surroundings. They can be seen with a telescope fitted with a specialist solar filter.<\/p> A solar filament is exactly the same object as a prominence except it\u2019s seen in silhouette against the bright disc of the Sun. Like prominences, you\u2019ll also need a specialist hydrogen-alpha solar telescope to see them.<\/p> When it comes to celestial events the king of them all has to be the total solar eclipse<\/a>. Caused when the Moon completely obscures the disc of the Sun they are a truly awe-inspiring experience. Find out when the next eclipse<\/a> is taking place.<\/p> An annular solar eclipse<\/a> occurs when the Moon doesn\u2019t completely block the blazing disc of Sun, creating the famous \u2018ring of fire\u2019. Since some part of the Sun is always visible, you must use a specialist certified solar filter to watch an annular eclipse safely.<\/p> A transit of Mercury<\/a> is when tiny planet Mercury passes across the face of the Sun. You\u2019ll need to On a sunny day, when the sky is strewn with wispy clouds, it\u2019s not uncommon to spot a parhelion or \u2018sundog<\/a>\u2019. These rainbow coloured patches of light, some way to the side of the Sun, are formed by ice crystals within the thin clouds.<\/p> If you own a hydrogen-alpha solar telescope<\/a> it\u2019s worth keeping an eye on any angry active regions and sunspots you see. Occasionally they release powerful solar flares \u2013 huge explosions that appear like a spot of bright white light.<\/p> Crater Copernicus<\/a> has it all. Measuring almost 100km across, its walls are intricately terraced and a beautiful ray system surrounds the crater. The nights of 14 and 15 September are a perfect time to observe it.<\/p> These two lunar mountains stand out conspicuously from the smooth surface of the northern Mare Imbrium<\/a>. Mons Pico can be found south of the large crater Plato, while Mons Piton lies west of the crater Cassini.<\/p> The lunar maria<\/a> or ‘lunar seas’ are huge basalt plains formed by floods of lava. You can see them with the naked eye, but a small scope can reveal the interesting textures and varied colourations of their seemingly smooth surfaces.<\/p> A lunar occultation<\/a> occurs when the Moon passes in front of a bright star or planet. There\u2019s nothing quite like watching the beautiful rings of Saturn or Jupiter and its Galilean moons pop out from behind the Moon\u2019s jagged edge. Find out more in our guide one how to calculate and observe lunar occultations<\/a>.<\/p> This small collection of volcanic domes sits on the lunar surface<\/a> near to the crater Arago. Look out for them. You\u2019ll find one dome just north of Arago and another west of it.<\/p> Beautiful Crater Plato<\/a> lies nestled among the broken landscape near the northern edge of the Mare Imbrium. It has a smooth floor and is surrounded by some other interesting features, including Rima Plato and the Montes Teneriffe.<\/p> Gassendi<\/a> is a fascinating crater on the northern edge of the Mare Humorum<\/a>. It measures around 110km in diameter and, if you catch it at the right illumination, you\u2019ll be able to see a superb network of rilles on its floor.<\/p> The Apennines mountain range<\/a> stretches over 900km across the Moon’s surface. It’s particularly striking when lit from the side \u2013 when the peaks cast huge, inky black shadows onto the surrounding landscape. <\/p> These three imposing craters sit close to the centre of the Moon\u2019s near side. The largest of them, Ptolemaeus<\/a>, has a smooth floor that\u2019s pockmarked with lots more tiny craters.<\/p> Clavius<\/a> is one of those craters that astronomers love to go back to. It stretches over 200km across and its floor is covered in many smaller craters of varying sizes. The nights of 14, 15 and 16 September are ideal times to observe it.<\/p> Famous as one of the features explored by the Apollo 15 astronauts, Hadley Rille is also a great target to look for with a large telescope. Under suitable illumination it appears as a little meandering black line near the northern end of the lunar Apennines.<\/p> Cutting through the lunar Alps, the 150km-long Vallis Alpes is one of the most interesting features on the Moon\u2019s surface. This valley can be spotted with even a small telescope.<\/p> Rupes Recta<\/a> is perhaps best known as the Straight Wall. It is a 110km-long fault reaching over 270m above the lunar surface. Under the right illumination, it appears as a thin black line near to crater Birt.<\/p> A total lunar eclipse<\/a> is a graceful affair that sees our Moon\u2019s usually bright disc bathed in a deep coppery-red light \u2013 the result of it being immersed in the darkest part of Earth\u2019s shadow.<\/p> If you look at the Moon when it\u2019s full you can\u2019t fail to notice the bright ray systems that stretch across its surface. These lunar ray ejecta systems<\/a> are material thrown out from asteroid impacts. The finest example is the network emanating from crater Tycho.<\/p> These craters are a bit of a double act, as their position on the Moon means they\u2019re often well illuminated at the same time. Petavius<\/a> is especially interesting as it has an intricate rille network within its walls.<\/p> Occasionally tiny ice crystals form in our atmosphere, within thin cloud, that refract moonlight, creating two faint rainbow-like patches of light either side of the Moon. These paraselenae or \u2018moondogs\u2019 are beautiful to behold.<\/p> One of the grandest craters on the Moon\u2019s near side, Theophilus is a great sight in a small telescope. It has impressive terraced walls and a fine cluster of central peaks. Look for it when it takes centre stage near the Moon\u2019s terminator<\/a>.<\/p> Another interesting lunar rille, Schr\u00f6ter\u2019s Valley sits near the bright crater Aristarchus<\/a>. To see it best requires a low angle of illumination from\u00a0 the Sun.<\/p> Crater Posidonius sits on the northeastern shore of the Mare Serenitatis<\/a>. It measures about 100km across and is a fine target for a small to medium aperture telescope.<\/p> Few celestial events are as fascinating to watch as the shadow of a tiny moon moving across Jupiter\u2019s disc \u2013 known as a Jovian shadow transit.<\/p> Look at Jupiter with binoculars and you should be able to spot the four Galilean moons<\/a>: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Use a telescope and you\u2019ll be able to see them change position night by night much more clearly.<\/p> Just like our Moon, the planet Venus exhibits phases. Venus\u2019s thin crescent phase is especially beautiful If you\u2019ve marvelled at Saturn\u2019s rings through a telescope it won\u2019t have escaped your notice that the planet is accompanied by a band of moons. Titan, the largest of these, is easy to see, and a large scope will show some of the others.<\/p> Jupiter\u2019s Great Red Spot<\/a> is the most famous storm in the Solar System. But did you know it can be seen with a 6-inch telescope? Observe it when the planet is prominent in the night sky and you’ll easily be able to make it out.<\/p> Since they are physically close to the Sun, Mercury and Venus generally also appear near to the Sun in the sky. The sight of them together just before sunrise or just after sunset \u2013 enveloped in the colours of twilight \u2013 is captivating.<\/p> Four of the planets in the Solar System have ring systems, but it\u2019s Saturn that sports the finest of them all. Saturns’ rings<\/a> can be seen with a small telescope, but are an incredible sight in a large one.<\/p> Asteroids<\/a> such as Vesta appear as nothing more than a point of light through a telescope. While that may be the case, actually observing one with your own eyes is definitely a sight every astronomer should try and witness.<\/p> Our planetary neighbour is best seen around opposition<\/a> \u2013 when, from our perspective, it is directly opposite the Sun in its orbit. With a small scope, look out for the dark markings on its surface and one of its polar ice caps.<\/p> Everyone likes a challenge, and observing Uranus or Neptune with a scope is certainly a fun one. To see their tiny blue-tinged discs well you\u2019ll need a large aperture telescope and high magnification.<\/p> This wonderful star system \u2013 known fondly as the Double Double<\/a> \u2013 can be seen with a modest telescope. It appears as two stars at first glance, but look closely and you\u2019ll see each one is a pair of stars in itself.<\/p> There\u2019s no way that the finest celestial objects could not contain the Pleiades<\/a> star cluster, M45. It\u2019s easily visible with the naked eye and is a spectacular sight through a telescope at low magnification.<\/p> Located in the constellation of Perseus, this lovely duo of clusters can be seen with a good pair of binoculars. To see the Double Cluster<\/a> at its glittering best, use a high- quality wide-field refractor.<\/p> Globular cluster<\/a> M5 lies in the constellation of Serpens. We recommend observing it through a large aperture telescope, like a big Dobsonian, to get that real 3D feeling.<\/p> To many, Albireo<\/a> (Beta (\u03b2) Cygni) is the finest double star<\/a> in the night sky. The two stars sit at the head of Cygnus, the Swan, and appear blue and gold through the eyepiece of a small telescope.<\/p> M22 is one of the finest globular clusters to observe during the summer months. Set against the myriad stars of the rich Milky Way in Sagittarius, it\u2019s a superb sight in a small telescope.<\/p>9. A big meteor shower<\/strong><\/h3>
10. A meteor fireball\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
11. The southern hemisphere Milky Way<\/strong><\/h3>
12. The Magellanic Clouds<\/strong><\/h3>
13. A lunar halo<\/strong><\/h3>
14. The aurora<\/strong><\/h3>
15. The Zodiacal Light<\/strong><\/h3>
16. The Gegenschein<\/strong><\/h3>
17. A bright naked-eye comet<\/strong><\/h3>
18. A daylight meteor fireball\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
Solar sights<\/strong><\/h2>
19. A solar prominence<\/strong><\/h3>
20. A sunspot\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
21. A solar filament<\/strong><\/h3>
22. A total solar eclipse<\/strong><\/h3>
23. An annular eclipse\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
24. The transit of Mercury\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
25. A sundog<\/strong><\/h3>
26. A solar flare<\/strong><\/h3>
The Moon<\/strong><\/h2>
27. Crater Copernicus<\/strong><\/h3>
28. Mons Piton and Mons Pico\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
29. The lunar maria<\/strong><\/h3>
30. A lunar occultation\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
31. The Arago Domes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
32. Crater Plato\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
33. Crater Gassendi\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
34. The lunar Apennines<\/strong><\/h3>
35. Craters Ptolemaeus, Alphonsus AND Arzachel\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
36. Crater Clavius<\/strong><\/h3>
37. Hadley Rille<\/strong><\/h3>
38. The Vallis Alpes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
39. Rupes Recta<\/strong><\/h3>
40. A total lunar eclipse\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
41. Lunar ray systems\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
42. Craters Petavius and Langrenus<\/strong><\/h3>
43. A Moondog<\/strong><\/h3>
44. Crater Theophilus<\/strong><\/h3>
45. Schr\u00f6ter\u2019s Valley<\/strong><\/h3>
46. Crater Posidonius<\/strong><\/h3>
Planets<\/strong><\/h2>
47. A jovian moon shadow transit<\/strong><\/h3>
48. Jupiter’s Moons<\/strong><\/h3>
49. The crescent Venus<\/strong><\/h3>
50. Saturn\u2019s moons\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
51. Jupiter\u2019s Great Red Spot\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
52. Mercury and Venus together\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
53. The rings of Saturn<\/strong><\/h3>
54. An asteroid<\/strong><\/h3>
55. Mars at opposition<\/strong><\/h3>
56. Uranus and Neptune<\/strong><\/h3>
Deep-sky<\/strong><\/h2>
57. Epsilon Lyrae\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
58. The Pleiades<\/strong><\/h3>
59. The Double Cluster \u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
60. M5\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
61. Albireo<\/strong><\/h3>
62. M22<\/strong><\/h3>