If you have not already done so, would members please find time to sign the online petition – re light pollution, set up by Wakefield Astronomical Society.  This should have been sent via email to you already.  Here's a link.

Ten thousand signatures are required for the Government to take note, and 100,000 for them to ‘really take note’.  The closing deadline is July 22nd.  If you know anyone else who would be inclined to sympathise with the cause, get them to sign it too. [Read more about Light Pollution Petition]

Noctilucent cloud

With bright twilight now persisting well into the night, observers of the sky should watch out for a particularly beautiful type of cloud formation seen only at this time of year. 

Known as Noctilucent cloud, these delicate formations appear above the northern horizon, long after sunset, often around midnight.  Shining quite brightly, Noctilucent cloud is filamentary in structure, having a characteristic silvery-blue colour... [Read more about Noctilucent cloud]

Sky Notes - June 2016

In this month's edition:

  • Planetary Skylights: Jupiter, Mars & Saturn
  • Meteor Showers: Ophiuchids & Lyrids
  • June 2016 Sky Charts

Sky Notes - May 2016

In this month's edition:

  • Planetary Skylights: Transit of Mercury, Mars at Opposition, Jupiter and Saturn
  • Meteor Showers: Eta Aquarids
  • May 2016 Sky Charts

Sky Notes - April 2016

In this month's edition:

  • Planetary Skylights: Jupiter, Mercury, Mars and Saturn
  • Meteor Showers: Virginids and Alpha Scorpiids
  • April 2016 Sky Charts

Sky Notes - March 2016

In this month's edition:

  • Planetary Skylights: Transit of Io and Europa across Jupiter
  • Spring Equinox
  • Slow Season on Meteor Showers
  • March 2016 Sky Charts

In this month's edition:

  • Planetary Skylights: Conjunction of Venus and Saturn
  • Comet C/2013 US10 Catalina: Find with binoculars
  • Closed Season on Meteor Showers
  • February 2016 Sky Charts

In this month's edition:

  • Planetary Skylights: Conjunction of Venus and Saturn
  • Meteor Activity: Quadrantids
  • January 2016 Sky Charts

In this month's edition:

  • Planetary Skylights: Mercury joins Uranus and Neptune in the evening, Saturn joins Jupiter, Venus and Mars in the morning. Chance of seeing all planets in one night!
  • Meteor Activity: Geminids and Ursids
  • Large Meteor seen from Whitby
  • Comet C/2013 US10 Catalina
  • Winter Solstice
  • December 2015 Sky Charts

Comet Catalina was discovered on 31 October 2013 by the Catalina Sky Survey with their 0.68 meter Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.

It is closest to the Sun on 15-Nov-2015... [Read more about Comet C/2013 US10 Catalina]

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