Astronomers are living in a golden age of cosmic discovery with recent observatories revealing the universe in unprecedented detail. And with 2009 officially the international Year of Astronomy, to mark the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first observations on the universe with a telescope, stargazing is on the brink of a much overdue revival. All you need are some warm clothes, blankets and maybe a picnic. It also helps to have a star chart. You’ll spot constellations, planets, the northern lights and shooting stars.
What to look out for? Venus is visible in the evening all this month. In August, there will be a lunar eclipse (6th), and a good view of Jupiter (14th) while Mars will be visible in the autumn. There will be a Perseid meteor shower in mid-August and the Leonids in mid-November. For the clearest views of the skies, follow our guide.
The Royal Observatory, Greenwich, London
Here you can look through the observatory’s biggest telescope and watch a planetarium show. rog.nmm.ac.uk
Court Farm, St Austell, Cornwall
At this holiday camp, there’s an on-site expert, a powerful telescope and solar observatory. courtfarmcornwall.co.uk
Jodrell Bank, Manchester
Cheshire’s great astronomical landmark is the Lovell radio telescope. jb.man.ac.uk
Herschel House, Bath
See the home of the 18th-century amateur astronomer William Herschel, and the site where he discovered Uranus, the first planet found since antiquity. williamherschel.org.uk
Whitstable, Kent
Almost anywhere along this coast is a good place to stargaze. You’ll get a good view of the pole star and the constellations (Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia) that revolve around it. seewhitstable.com
John O’Groats, Caithness
One of the best places in the UK to see the northern lights. visitjohnogroats.com
Isles of Scilly
Your greatest chance of clear skies and more southern hemisphere constellations than anywhere else in the UK. simplyscilly.co.uk
Brecon Beacons, Powys
One of the darkest places in Wales, the Brecon Beacons is a great place for stargazing. breconbeacons.org
The Ship Inn, Ipswich
Join one of the ‘sidewalk stargazing’ events from the Ship Inn run by the Orwell Astronomical Society. ast.cam.ac.uk/~ipswich
For more, visit astronomy2009.org. Emily Winterburn is author of The Stargazer’s Guide (£14.99, Constable) and former curator of the Royal Observatory.
