Planetary Parades
One of the most anticipated events of the year is the rare planetary alignment occurring on 28th February. Best viewed around 6.30pm GMT, all seven planets will be visible to the naked eye—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn—aligning in an arc across the night’s sky. While Uranus and Neptune will also be part of this alignment, you will need a telescope to view them due to their faintness.
Supermoons
You’ll have to wait until the autumn to view a trio of super moons occurring this year. So called ‘supermoons’ are those full moons which occur closest to the earth, making them appear larger and brighter than usual. Dates for the diary to view these lunar spectaculars are the Hunter's Moon on 7th October, the Beaver Moon on 5th November, and the Cold Moon on 4th December.
Total Lunar Eclipse
In the early hours of the 14th March, the UK will witness a total lunar eclipse, where the Earth will position itself between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow that will turn the moon’s surface a deep, reddish hue - a phenomenon often referred to as a ‘Blood Moon.’
Meteor Showers
If you love the astrological magic of a shooting star display, in August and December we are due to witness prolific meteor showers, streaking across the night sky. No equipment necessary, just a bit of patience and ideally somewhere with low light pollution for the best chance of seeing the best display.
Aurora Borealis
Here in the UK, it is usually only in the most northern reaches that we can experience the Aurora Borealis, but over the next few months, we should witness the incredible solar display further south. To improve your chances of seeing them, opt for dark locations on a clear night and look towards the northern horizon. Often not visible to the naked eye, a simple iPhone camera can pick up the lights effectively.
Top 10 Stargazing Apps for Beginners
Embarking on a stargazing journey is now more accessible than ever, thanks to a plethora of apps designed to guide novices through the night sky. Here are ten to try, to make the most of this year’s astrological events:
SkySafari 7 Pro
This comprehensive app offers detailed star maps, information on celestial objects, and the ability to simulate the night sky from any location and time.
Stellarium
A user-friendly planetarium app that mirrors the night sky in real-time, allowing users to identify stars, planets, and constellations by simply pointing their device skyward. With magical illustrations of animal constellations and astrological signs, it brings to life the starry sky above.
Night Sky
Night Sky provides an immersive AR experience, overlaying detailed information about celestial objects as you gaze through your device.
SkyView
Utilising your phone's camera, SkyView overlays constellations, planets, and satellites onto your display, making it easy to identify objects in the sky.
Star Walk 2
An intuitive app that offers real-time tracking of celestial objects complete with detailed information and stunning visuals.
Sky Guide
This app provides a simple yet informative experience, allowing users to explore the night sky and learn about everything from the stars, to planets and start to learn to identify constellations.
Heavens-Above
Ideal for tracking satellites and the International Space Station, this app also offers star charts and predictions for visible passes.
GoSkyWatch Planetarium
Designed for ease of use, this app allows users to point their device at the sky and instantly identify stars, planets, and constellations.
PhotoPills
A must-have for novice astrophotographers, PhotoPills helps plan the perfect shot by providing information on the position of celestial objects and optimal shooting times.
NASA App
Offering a wealth of information, images, and videos from NASA's missions, this app is perfect for those looking to learn more about space exploration.
