Noctilucent cloud season has started: watch the northern sky from about 2 hours after sunset. x.com/AdrianJannetta…

1/3 Mars oppositions happen couple of years but the eccentric orbit of Mars means some are better than others. Perihelic oppositions, like 2018, come along every 15 years or so and the opposition distance is close to minimum. However - distance isn't everything! #astronomy #Mars

To most of us, dust is an annoyance. Something to be cleaned up, washed off or wiped away. But these tiny particles that float & settle on surfaces play an important role in a variety of processes on Earth and across the solar system. Here's what to know: nasa.tumblr.com/post/176484581…

Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner is visible with binoculars from #Northumberland

Look at that comet go!

This is the Coathanger in Vulpecula (aka Collinder 399, or Brocchi's Cluster). The stars make a nice pattern but are unrelated. This was built from about 30 minutes of exposure time. Nikon D90, ISO800 on the 80mm Skywatcher. #astronomy #stars #astrophotography #northumberland

This is one of those gems of the northern sky that everyone should see through a telescope! NGC 7789 was discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1783 and is known as Caroline's Rose. Image: Nikon D90, ISO800, 26x2mins, Skywatcher 80mm refractor. #Astronomy #Northumberland

Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner last night. Very close to the bright star Capella in Auriga. Total exposure time was 33 minutes (various ISOs and 30s-2min subs) due to challenging weather conditions. Much processing needed! #astronomy #21P #Astrophotography

Sky chart for Northumberland (or anywhere close to 55N!) Still a great time of year to see the Milky Way. Saturn and Mars bright in the south. Uranus and Neptune getting high in the sky during late evening #astronomy #northumberland #nastro

This is the Iris Nebula (NGC 7023) in Cepheus. It's a dusty reflection nebula illuminated by a 7th magnitude star. Almost overhead from here during September! Nikon D90, ISO800, 80mm refrator, 19x3 mins #astronomy #astrophotography #nebulae #northumberland

Milky Way from Ingram, #Northumberland last night. Temperature almost freezing but a nice safe place to do #astronomy and #astrophotography

Giving a talk about the autumn night sky at NASTRO tonight. The Milky Way, giant stars, deepsky objects and comets (38P/Stephan-Oterma and 46P/Wirtanen) are all on the agenda! nastro.org.uk #Northumberland

Felt a bit inspired by today's picture the #BlackHole from #EventHorizonTelescope so I took this picture of the host galaxy #M87 this evening. Managed to image the 5000LY long jet coming from the blackhole! Nikon D90, ISO800, 10x5 mins on my trusty Meade LX10 8" telescope.

Thank you Stephane! It was fascinating insight into the processes at play in the solar corona. And nice to see how the solar group at Northumbria is flourishing!

Have a look at our monthly sky guide to see what's happening up there! nastro.org.uk/sky-guide.html

Keep an eye out on Tuesday morning for the crescent moon alongside Mars in the sky. Don't confuse Mars for Antares (whose name means "rival of Mars"!) Antares is a little brighter (and like #Betelgeuse - destined to be a supernova one day!)

Due to the COVID19 pandemic NASTRO meetings at Low Hauxley are suspended until further notice. Astronomy and club updates can be found at nastro.org.uk

With a clear sky forecast for Thursday morning...look out for three planets in the sky if you're up early (5 - 5.30am ish!) Mars and Saturn close together above southeast horizon with Jupiter brighter and higher in the south, with the moon between them.

Mars and Saturn through the 80mm refractor. A stack of 7x60s exposures at ISO800 with the Nikon D90. The globular cluster is M22 in Sagittarius. The little dot to the right of Saturn is Titan. #planetwatching

#Aurora from #Northumberland last night. Long (20 second) exposure. Colours were not this obvious to the eye, although there were some bright rays for a time!