BBC Sky at Night - UK (2021-08)

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satellite – the Moon. The students wore

eclipse glasses to observe safety, and I had

set up my telescope and digital camera to

capture a clear close-up view. Seeing all

the science students and teachers

observing was a real display of our shared

passion for natural science.

Antonio Coulton, Wigan & Leigh

College, Wigan

An essential guide

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ago and used it without any real

direction. Then, last winter, I revisited the

hobby and upgraded to an 8-inch

Dobsonian. However, I cannot imagine

how I’d have kept my love for this hobby

alive without subscribing to Sky at Night

Magazine. As I haven’t seen a monthly

subscription recommended as an

essential bit of kit for a beginner on the

A break in the clouds

I had been looking forward to the solar eclipse on

10 June, even though I knew I’d only see a partial

eclipse from my location – we just needed the

weather to be kind to us. So naturally I awoke to a

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it was a grey blanket. I couldn’t even see where

the Sun should be, so I would have to trust

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just in case, but there was no improvement at

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however, I noticed the sky was brighter and went

out to have a look. There were a few breaks in the

clouds and what looked like a possible blue patch.

I quickly got into position and waited. Then

suddenly the Sun was out! There was no time to

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week so just went with that. I took this single shot

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retreating into the clouds when I tried to take

another. It never cleared again. I got that one

chance, but I’m more than happy with it and glad

This month’s top prize:

two Philip’s titles.

The

‘Message

of the Month’ writer will

receive a bundle of two top

titles courtesy of astronomy

publisher Philip’s: Heather

Couper and Nigel Henbest’s

2021 Stargazing and Robin

Scagell’s Guide to the

Northern Constellations

Winner’s details will be passed on to

Octopus Publishing to fulfil the prize

I got a hydrogen-alpha image. There is only a

little surface detail to see, but just visible are two

small prominences. As I was processing the image

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on the Moon’s surface against the Sun. I’m so glad

I was prepared – what a result from an otherwise

grey morning! 6 XH6LOYHU 6 KHIƅHOG

What a wonderful account, Sue. It just goes to

show that it pays to be ready. Well done! – Ed

Group effort

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on 10 June, and with help from lecturer

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students we set up an observation session

to safely observe it. It was a brilliant

opportunity to witness the celestial

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Richard Crabtree

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A great display of #noctilucent

clouds last night. Taken around

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Yorkshire. #1/&DOHUWV#

bbcweather @GoStargazing

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#7 K H 3 K R W R + R X U 

@skyatnightmag

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20 BBC Sky at Night Magazine August 2021

Sue’s shot

of the solar

eclipse

Students enjoy

eclipse-watching

in Wigan