There’s no streetlight and the night’s silence is broken only by the hoot of an owl. Your eyes scan the sky, growing accustomed to the dark. Then, gradually, you spot an incredible shimmer. The universe is revealing its magnificence…
The night sky has fascinated people for millennia and inspired many age-old myths and stories. The stars have always been helpful on a practical level too – ancient civilisations used them to navigate and track time. While it’s true that the darker the night sky, the more you’ll see, you don’t have to be in a remote place to enjoy a celestial show. Even in a city, if you move away from bright lights, it’s possible to see another planet.
Somehow, just gazing up at the stars can make you feel good, thanks to their undeniable beauty and the awe they inspire. Jess Sells, senior astronomy manager at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich in the UK, says of stargazing: ‘It’s a really great opportunity to take some time, get out of your own head and think about the greatness of the universe and our place in it.’
Becoming a stargazer
Space can seem so remote and vast that it might feel hard to know where to begin. Astronomers recommend starting with just your eyes and maybe a good pair of binoculars. Useful telescopes start from a few hundred pounds, but aren’t essential.
You can have a go at stargazing from any outside space. If you’re in a garden, it helps to turn off lights in the house and find a spot that shields you from streetlamps. Allow 15 minutes for your eyes to get used to the dark. To avoid neck pain, you might like to sit in a deckchair, with a warm drink for extra cosiness.
It can be fun to have some company to enjoy stargazing, which is where astronomy groups come in. They share tips and equipment, and some even run low-cost trips.
Jess says: ‘There are a lot of astronomical societies that gather across the country. Even in London, you would assume that there’s so much light pollution you wouldn’t be able to see, but it varies.
‘As part of our Astronomy Ambassadors Group, we offer stargazing sessions, general chat with some of our astronomers and creative sessions where you can even design planetarium shows as well. It’s perfect for anyone with a passion for it.’
Sophie Allen and Erin Knight, both 16 years old, are members of the group. Sophie says: ‘When I was really young, my cousin had an interest in astronomy. He showed me pictures of nebulae (special coloured gas clouds in space) and he had a model of the solar system in his bedroom. I decided I wanted to go further into it. I wanted to know the science behind it, and how it works.’
Her advice is ‘go to a field or local park, realistically as far away from light as possible. Just look up and the fascination will come.’
Erin observes that astronomy ‘just seems really calming. Everything stands still when it’s just me and the sky. It takes you away from the noisy city and all the chaos in the world.’
What to spot
Bright planets such as Venus and Mars are frequently visible, while the Moon’s craters look dramatic through binoculars. Jupiter is a treat – with luck you might see four of its 95 moons as little dots circling the planet. They change position from night to night.
You may notice a group of stars that appear to form a shape. These are known as constellations and many are named after mythological animals and objects. Among the best-known and easiest-to-spot constellations are Orion and the Great Bear, which is also known as the Plough or the Big Dipper.
Erin says: ‘During the winter, I have a nice southern view of the sky, and there’s these really bright constellations that I see every year. Just going out on a cold night is lovely to see them.’
If you catch the stargazing bug, you might soon have a favourite star or planet to spot. Sophie says: ‘My favourites are meteors, comets, the Moon and the Milky Way.’
Meteor showers, which happen at the same time every year, are ideal times to see something magical. Meteors are also known as shooting stars because of their brilliant brightness and fast movement. They’re actually small particles entering the Earth’s atmosphere at high speed and shining brightly as they burn up. Popular showers to look for are the Geminids in December and the Perseids in August.
In future, if you spend any time travelling, you may have the chance to visit dark-sky regions where thousands of stars await. Sophie says: ‘I’ve heard the night sky is really good in Australia, so I’d love to go there. You can see the central bulge of the galaxy, which isn’t visible in the northern hemisphere.’
Whatever happens on Earth, the night sky will be up there, waiting to be explored. ‘I think I’ll always have a fascination with it!’ says Erin.
Tips for starspotters
- Use a star wheel. Also known as a planisphere, this device helps you locate stars. Phone apps such as Night Sky or Sky Safari do the same job.
- Avoid a full moon. Its intense light makes it harder to see anything else.
- Head to a dark sky place. These are designated areas in 22 countries and are protected from light pollution, which benefits wildlife, as well as astronomers. See darksky.org and gostargazing.co.uk.
- Know your space technology. A steady bright dot travelling slowly across the sky in a straight line is likely to be a satellite.
- Visit a planetarium. Astronomy shows, often accompanied by sights and sounds, teach you what to look for, and are great options for daytime stargazing.
Visit the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s website for upcoming planetarium shows, space lectures and more at rmg.co.uk/whats-on
Get inspired
Beginners are welcome at many astronomy events, which are often free or low cost. You’ll find a list of UK clubs at astronomyclubs.co.uk.
Jess suggests the monthly podcast and blog from the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, which can help you do your own searching. Expect handy instructions such as ‘at 9pm if you look up towards the Big Dipper and turn this amount right, you’ll be able to see this planet.’