May 2nd, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

Humans have long since been fascinated by the night sky and those beautiful twinkling stars that we can sometimes take for granted, and why wouldn’t we be, not only is stargazing a relaxing way to pass the time but the night sky is host to some spectacular sights.  So why not take the time this spring and summer to see what the night sky has to offer?

The Benefit of Stargazing

If the idea of seeing some incredible natural phenomenon isn’t enough to tempt you, then let me take this time to outline some reasons why astronomy and star gazing is a fantastic hobby for all ages!

Relaxing:

With or without the help of telescopes or binoculars, taking the time to sit back and admire the peaceful nature of the night sky can be very meditative and is a fantastic way to help relieve stress and reduce anxiety.

Connect with Nature:

Stargazing allows us to appreciate the natural beauty of the universe and is a fantastic way to remind ourselves of all the incredible things that happen around us every day.

Educational

Stargazing can be a fantastic learning opportunity and can help us learn about astronomy, physics, and other sciences, making it a fun and enriching activity for both adults and children alike. Not to worry if you don’t want to deep dive into the educational aspect – stargazing still has a great deal to offer.

Inspiring

Countless amazing minds of the years have been inspired by the natural beauty of the night sky – from the creation of incredible artworks to the birth of Astronomy which changed our understanding of how the world works. So, why not get your creative juices flowing with the help of the night scenery?

Socialising

Stargazing can also be a fantastic way to bond and socialise with friends and family. Take camping trips into the great outdoors to admire a night sky unhindered by light pollution, or simply set up the telescope in the yard and enjoy a late-night picnic under the stars there are lots of great ways to bond with those close to you under the night sky.

2023 Must-See Events

If your interest has peaked, then let’s take the time to look at some incredible events that the starry sky has to offer this year, so keep your calendar to hand and save the date!

May 23rd: An Encounter between the Moon, Mars, and Venus

On the 23rd of this month, there will be an incredible encounter of these three planets. As very thin crescent moon slips into place between Venus and Mars making for a spectacular sight in the western sky. This will take place shortly after sunset, so be sure to check the forecast for an idea of when the sun will set that day. Those with a telescope can take a closer look and see that the moon is joined by two stars of the Gemini constellation Castor and Pollux.

June 2nd: Mars and the Beehive Cluster

The stunning Beehive cluster is made up of thousands of young stars located around 600-light years away from Earth and is located in the Cancer constellation. This June these stars will be joined by Mars – this should be visible around an hour after the sun has set. Focus your telescope on the reddish dot located nearby Venus and you will notice the twinkling cluster position behind the red planet.

August 1st and 31st: Supermoon

You will have two opportunities to view a Supermoon this summer on August 1st and 31st. Supermoons occur when the full Moon occurs at the closest point to Earth during its orbit making it much larger and brighter than a normal full Moon and is quite the sight to behold!

August 12 -13: Perseid meteor shower

A spectacular annual meteor shower, the Perseid is best seen with the naked eye in areas of minimal light pollution. This shower is particularly impressive and is known to boast up to 60 shooting stars per hour and occurs when Earth moves through small debris left behind by a comet, as these little meteors burn up in the atmosphere they produce an incredible light show of shooting stars. Be sure to double-check closer the time for the best time to catch the show but it usually takes place between midnight and 5 am.

August 27th: Saturn in Opposition

August 27th sees Saturn move into opposition, this means that it is positioned opposite the sun illuminating its face and making it its brightest presenting the perfect opportunity to get a clear view.

October 28th: Partial Lunar Eclipse

Here in the UK, we will be able to view a partial lunar eclipse this October. A partial lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the outer region of the Earth’s shadow, and only a section of it passes through the darkest part of the Earth’s shadow. The past time to catch the lunar eclipse is at around 21:15, so be sure to catch it!

December 14th – 15th: Geminids meteor shower

The Geminids meteor shower is one of the most popular night sky events of the year with the possibility of around 150 meteors per hour it is a breath-taking sight to see. The best time to catch this incredible meteor shower is at its peak between December 14th-15th from sunset into the early hours of the morning.

Best Places for Stargazing

While stargazing can be done from anywhere, you have a much better chance of catching the above events in an area with little light pollution as possible. So, if you live in a busy city-scape and won’t know the best places to go to catch these night sky spectaculars we recommend hitting up some of the regional national parks such as Exmoor National Park, North York Moors National Park, Yorkshire Dales National Park and West Penwith, Cornwall AONB for some of the best views!

There are many events and opportunities to enjoy stargazing this year. Whether it's the Perseid meteor shower or a partial Lunar eclipse, there is something for everyone. If you have children who want to learn more about astronomy, then this is an excellent opportunity for them and also an excellent opportunity to take a step back from busy day-to-day life and enjoy the beauty of nature.

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