We make every effort to keep the programme up-to-date and accurate. However changes can happen at short notice and updates rely on the kind donation of time by Society members. If you see an error please let us know.
Basic members are welcome to attend lectures but will be charged a small fee.
In the pre dawn sky of Saturday the 9th of December above the SE – S horizon
a 14% illuminated waning crescent Moon will be 5° from the planet Venus
this event would be best viewed from 05.45 hrs – 07.45 hrs
as sunrise from approx 07.42 hrs will make Venus difficult to view
if you plan to observe / image this event remember to dress for the conditions
as the sun will be in the sky while this event is taking place please remember your solar safety :-
DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN WITHOUT THE CORRECT SOLAR FILTER FITTED TO YOUR EQUIPMENT
OR SOLAR SAFETY GLASSES FOR YOUR EYES
On the morning of Saturday the 9th of December above the SE – SW horizon
a lunar libration will offer favourable views of the Mare Orientale
if you plan to observe / image this event remember to dress for the conditions
as the sun will be in the sky while this event is taking place please remember your solar safety :-
DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN WITHOUT THE CORRECT SOLAR FILTER FITTED TO YOUR EQUIPMENT
OR SOLAR SAFETY GLASSES FOR YOUR EYES
On the evening of Tuesday the 12th of December above the SE – S horizon
the planet Jupiter will occult (pass in front of) it’s largest Moon Ganymede
this occultation will occur from approx 20.00 hrs – 22.00 hrs
Ganymede will be to the top right of Jupiter as the occultation starts
and will reappear top left as the occultation comes to an end
if you plan to observe / image this event remember to dress for the conditions
At approx 15.50 hrs along the SW horizon on Wednesday the 13th of December
the Sun will set making this the earliest sunset of the year
Above the NE – E horizon from approx 19.00 hrs on Thursday the 14th of December
the Geminid Meteor Shower reaches it’s peak with a predicted ZHR of 130
although this shower peaks tonight :-
due to it’s location in the sky viewings on the 13/14 & 14/15 of December could also prove favourable
if you plan to observe / image this event remember to dress for the conditions
Through the afternoon into the evening of Saturday the 16th of December
above the NE – SE horizon form approx 14.00 hrs – 19.15 hrs
the shadow of Jupiter’s Moon Ganymede will transit across the planets disc from approx 14.00 hrs – 16.00 hrs
Jupiter’s Moon Europa will also be in transit with it’s shadow transiting across the planets disc from approx 16.40 hrs – 19.15 hrs
if you plan to observe / image these events remember to dress for the conditions
as the sun will be in the sky while one of these events is taking place please remember your solar safety :-
DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN WITHOUT THE CORRECT SOLAR FILTER FITTED TO YOUR EQUIPMENT
OR SOLAR SAFETY GLASSES FOR YOUR EYES
In the early evening of Sunday the 17th of December @ 19.30 hrs
above the SW horizon the Moon will be 4.3° below the planet Saturn
please note both bodies will be setting below the horizon by approx 20.30 hrs
if you plan to observe / image this event remember to dress for the conditions
Over the night of Tuesday the 19th into the morning of Wednesday the 20th of December
above the SW – W horizon from 23.34 hrs on the 19th to 01.17 hrs on the 20th
Jupiter’s Moon Ganymede will again be occulted by the planet
Ganymede will again be to the top right of Jupiter as the occultation starts
and will again reappear top left as the occultation comes to an end
if you plan to observe / image this event remember to dress for the conditions
As the sky darkens above the SE – SW horizon through the evening into the night of Friday the 22nd of December
the planet Jupiter will be 3° below an 80% illuminated Waxing Gibbous Moon
if you plan to observe / image this event remember to dress for the conditions
On the evening of Saturday the 23rd of December above the SE – S horizon
Ganymede’s shadow will transit across the planets disc from approx 18.04 hrs to 20.00 hrs
as this transit is taking place Europa’s shadow will also transit across the planets disc from approx 19.23 hrs to 21.45 hrs
if you plan to observe / image this event remember to dress for the conditions