October 2023 Bonus Content

October 2023 Bonus Content

BBC Sky at Night Magazine October 2023 Bonus Content

Interview: A Magnetic Solar System

Prof Michele Dougherty reveals how magnetic fields help in the search for habitable conditions beyond Earth.

Binocular and deep-sky tours

Download this month's binocular and deep-sky tour charts. The charts are printed in black on white so they can be viewed under red light at your telescope.

SAN 221 Binocular Tour (PDF)

SAN 221 Deep-Sky Tour (PDF)

Southern Hemisphere Sky Chart

SAN 221 Southern Hemisphere Chart (PDF)

Observing forms

Record your observations of Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Venus and the Sun with our handy printable forms.

If you observe the Sun, remember NEVER to look at it with your naked eye; either project it through your telescope or use a solar filter on your telescope's front lens.

Jupiter observing form (PDF)

Mars observing form (PDF)

Saturn observing form (PDF)

Venus observing form (PDF)

Solar observing form (PDF)

BAA meteor observing form (PDF)

Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2023

See the winning images of this year's competition, plus the runner-up and highly commended selections.

Andromeda, Unexpected © Marcel Drechsler, Xavier Strottner, Yann Sainty, Location: Near Nancy, France. Winner, Galaxies category and overall winner. Equipment: Takahashi FSQ-106EDX4 telescope, Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro mount, ZWO ASI2600MM Pro camera, 382 mm f/3.6, multiple exposures between 1 and 600 seconds, 111 hours total exposure
Andromeda, Unexpected © Marcel Drechsler, Xavier Strottner, Yann Sainty, Location: Near Nancy, France. Winner, Galaxies category and overall winner. Equipment: Takahashi FSQ-106EDX4 telescope, Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro mount, ZWO ASI2600MM Pro camera, 382 mm f/3.6, multiple exposures between 1 and 600 seconds, 111 hours total exposure
The Eyes Galaxies © Weitang Liang. Location: El Sauce Observatory, Río Hurtado, Chile. Runner-up, Galaxies category. Taken with a ASA 1-meter Ritchey-Chretien telescope, ASA AZ1000 mount, FLI ProLine 16803 camera, 6800 mm 1 m, multiple 1,800- and 600-second exposures, 30 hours total exposure
The Eyes Galaxies © Weitang Liang. Location: El Sauce Observatory, Río Hurtado, Chile. Runner-up, Galaxies category. Taken with a ASA 1-meter Ritchey-Chretien telescope, ASA AZ1000 mount, FLI ProLine 16803 camera, 6800 mm 1 m, multiple 1,800- and 600-second exposures, 30 hours total exposure
Neighbours © Paul Montague. Location: Bendleby Ranges, South Australia, Australia. Highly commended, Galaxies category. Taken with a GSO Ritchey-Chretien 8" telescope, Chroma LRGB 31 mm filters, Astro-Physics Mach1 mount, ZWO ASI294MM Pro camera, 1,200 mm f/6, multiple 3-minute Luminance and 5-minute RGB exposures, approx. 17 hours total exposure
Neighbours © Paul Montague. Location: Bendleby Ranges, South Australia, Australia. Highly commended, Galaxies category. Taken with a GSO Ritchey-Chretien 8" telescope, Chroma LRGB 31 mm filters, Astro-Physics Mach1 mount, ZWO ASI294MM Pro camera, 1,200 mm f/6, multiple 3-minute Luminance and 5-minute RGB exposures, approx. 17 hours total exposure
Brushstroke © Monika Deviat. Location: Utsjoki, Lapland, Finland. Winner, Aurorae category. Taken with a Nikon D850 camera, 14 mm f/2.8, ISO 3200, 4-second exposure
Brushstroke © Monika Deviat. Location: Utsjoki, Lapland, Finland. Winner, Aurorae category. Taken with a Nikon D850 camera, 14 mm f/2.8, ISO 3200, 4-second exposure
Circle of Light © Andreas Ettl. Location: Flakstad, Lofoten Islands, Norway. Runner-up, Aurorae category. Taken with a Nikon Z7 camera, 15 mm f/2.8, ISO 1000, 8-second exposure
Circle of Light © Andreas Ettl. Location: Flakstad, Lofoten Islands, Norway. Runner-up, Aurorae category. Taken with a Nikon Z7 camera, 15 mm f/2.8, ISO 1000, 8-second exposure
Fire on the Horizon © Chester Hall-Fernandez. Location: Birdlings Flat, Canterbury, New Zealand. Highly commended, Aurorae category. Taken with a Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 telescope, Nikon Z6 (Astro modified) camera, 14 mm f/1.8, ISO 1600, 15-second exposure
Fire on the Horizon © Chester Hall-Fernandez. Location: Birdlings Flat, Canterbury, New Zealand. Highly commended, Aurorae category. Taken with a Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 telescope, Nikon Z6 (Astro modified) camera, 14 mm f/1.8, ISO 1600, 15-second exposure
Mars-Set © Ethan Chappel. Location: Cibolo, Texas, USA. Winner, Our Moon category. Taken with a Celestron EdgeHD 14 telescope, iOptron CEM70 mount, Astro-Physics BARADV lens, ZWO ASI462MC camera, 7,120 mm f/20, multiple 15-millisecond exposures
Mars-Set © Ethan Chappel. Location: Cibolo, Texas, USA. Winner, Our Moon category. Taken with a Celestron EdgeHD 14 telescope, iOptron CEM70 mount, Astro-Physics BARADV lens, ZWO ASI462MC camera, 7,120 mm f/20, multiple 15-millisecond exposures
Sundown on the Terminator © Tom Williams. Location: Trowbridge, Wiltshire, UK. Runner-up, Our Mon category. Taken with a Sky-Watcher 400P (16") GoTo Dobsonian Reflector telescope, Player One Uranus-C (IMX585) camera, 8,750 mm f/21.5, 1,250 x 12-millisecond exposures x 2 panels, 30 seconds total exposure
Sundown on the Terminator © Tom Williams. Location: Trowbridge, Wiltshire, UK. Runner-up, Our Mon category. Taken with a Sky-Watcher 400P (16") GoTo Dobsonian Reflector telescope, Player One Uranus-C (IMX585) camera, 8,750 mm f/21.5, 1,250 x 12-millisecond exposures x 2 panels, 30 seconds total exposure
Last Full Moon of the Year Featuring a Colourful Corona During a Close Encounter with Mars © Miguel Claro. Location: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Highly commended, Our Moon category. Taken with a Nikon D810a camera, 195 mm f/2.8, ISO 1600, 1/100-second exposure
Last Full Moon of the Year Featuring a Colourful Corona During a Close Encounter with Mars © Miguel Claro. Location: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Highly commended, Our Moon category. Taken with a Nikon D810a camera, 195 mm f/2.8, ISO 1600, 1/100-second exposure
A Sun Question © Eduardo Schaberger Poupeau. Location: Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina. Winner, Our Sun category. Taken with a Sky-Watcher Evostar 150ED DX Doublet APO refractor telescope, Daystar Quark Chromosphere filter, Baader ERF frontal filter, iOptron CEM70G mount, Player One Apollo-M Max camera, Gain 100, 840 mm focal length 120 mm aperture, 2 panels of 115 x 3.47-millisecond exposures
A Sun Question © Eduardo Schaberger Poupeau. Location: Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina. Winner, Our Sun category. Taken with a Sky-Watcher Evostar 150ED DX Doublet APO refractor telescope, Daystar Quark Chromosphere filter, Baader ERF frontal filter, iOptron CEM70G mount, Player One Apollo-M Max camera, Gain 100, 840 mm focal length 120 mm aperture, 2 panels of 115 x 3.47-millisecond exposures
Dark Star © Peter Ward. Location: Barden Ridge, New South Wales, Australia. Runner-up, Our Sun category. Taken with an Astro-Physics 130GTX telescope, Coronado 90 mm lens, Paramount PMEII mount, QHY533M camera, 1,170 mm f/9, best 4% of 2,000 x 1/20-second exposures (4 seconds total exposure)
Dark Star © Peter Ward. Location: Barden Ridge, New South Wales, Australia. Runner-up, Our Sun category. Taken with an Astro-Physics 130GTX telescope, Coronado 90 mm lens, Paramount PMEII mount, QHY533M camera, 1,170 mm f/9, best 4% of 2,000 x 1/20-second exposures (4 seconds total exposure)
The Great Solar Flare © Mehmet Ergün. Location: Traisen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Highly commended, Our Sun category. Taken with a LUNT LS60 B1200 Double Stack telescope, Rainbow RST-135 mount, Player One Astronomy Neptune-M 178M camera, 500 mm f/8.3, Gain 13, 15.625-millisecond exposure
The Great Solar Flare © Mehmet Ergün. Location: Traisen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Highly commended, Our Sun category. Taken with a LUNT LS60 B1200 Double Stack telescope, Rainbow RST-135 mount, Player One Astronomy Neptune-M 178M camera, 500 mm f/8.3, Gain 13, 15.625-millisecond exposure
Zeila © Vikas Chander. Location: Heintesbaai (Henties Bay), Erongo Region, Namibia. Winner, People & Space category. Taken with a Nikon D850 camera, 135 mm f/2.8, ISO 200, 30-minute exposure.
A Visit to Tycho © Andrew McCarthy. Location: Florence, Arizona, USA. Runner-up, Our Moon category. Taken with a Celestron C11 and Sky-Watcher 14" GoTo Dobsonian telescopes, Astronomik UV/IR cut filter, 2.5x Powermate lens, Hobym Traveller mount, ZWO ASI174MM and Sony A7II cameras, 4,125 mm and 2,000 mm f/10, ISO 300 and 50, 2,000 x 0.2-millisecond and 25 x 1/200-second exposures
A Visit to Tycho © Andrew McCarthy. Location: Florence, Arizona, USA. Runner-up, Our Moon category. Taken with a Celestron C11 and Sky-Watcher 14" GoTo Dobsonian telescopes, Astronomik UV/IR cut filter, 2.5x Powermate lens, Hobym Traveller mount, ZWO ASI174MM and Sony A7II cameras, 4,125 mm and 2,000 mm f/10, ISO 300 and 50, 2,000 x 0.2-millisecond and 25 x 1/200-second exposures
Close Encounters of The Haslingden Kind © Katie McGuinness. Location: Haslingden, Lancashire, UK. Highly commended, People & Space category. Taken with a Sony ILCE-7M4 camera, 20 mm f/4, ISO 160; Sky: 151 x 25-second exposures; Foreground: 5-second exposure
Suspended in a Sunbeam © Tom Williams. Location: Trowbridge, Wiltshire, UK . Winner, Planets, Comets & Asteroids category. Taken with a Sky-Watcher 400P (16”) GoTo Dobsonian Reflector telescope, Baader Bessel (U)BVRI and ZWO IR850 filters, ZWO ASI462MM (Early-Bird) camera, 8,750 mm f/21.5, 5,000 x 5.9-millisecond IR exposures (29.5-second total exposure), 7,500 x 13.9-millisecond UV exposures, (104.25-second total exposure): 133.75-second total exposure
Jupiter Close to Opposition © Marco Lorenzi. Location: Singapore. Runner-up, Planets, Comets & Asteroids category. Taken with a Nauris Vates 21” telescope, Home-made horseshoe mount, Player One Saturn-M SQR (IMX533M) camera, 10,000 mm f/3.8 with Barlow 5 x lens at f/19, H-alpha: 360-minute exposure, L: 510-minute exposure, R: 90-minute exposure, B: 90-minute exposure
Uranus with Umbriel, Ariel, Miranda, Oberon and Titania © Martin Lewis. Location: St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK. Highly commended, Planets, Comets & Asteroids category. Taken with a Homemade 444 mm Dobsonian Newtonian reflector telescope, Baader 685 nm IR filter, home-made Equatorial Tracking Platform, ZWO ASI290MM camera, 5.6 m f/12.7, Gain 40; Uranus: 125-millisecond exposures, best 20% of 9,000 frames; Moons: 125-millisecond exposures, best 21% of 1,800 frames
Grand Cosmic Fireworks © Angel An. Location: Lake Puma Yumco, Tibet, China. Winner, Skyscapes category. Taken with a Sony ILCE-7S3 camera, 135 mm f/1.8, ISO 12800, 4-second exposure
Grand Cosmic Fireworks © Angel An. Location: Lake Puma Yumco, Tibet, China. Winner, Skyscapes category. Taken with a Sony ILCE-7S3 camera, 135 mm f/1.8, ISO 12800, 4-second exposure
Celestial Equator Above First World War Trench Memorial © Louis Leroux-Gere. Location: Vimy, Pas-de-Calais, Hauts de France, France. Runner-up, Skyscapes category. Taken with a Canon EOS 6D (Astro modified), Samyang XP 14 mm f/2.4 lens, 14 mm f/3.2, ISO 1000, 577 x 30-second exposures
Celestial Equator Above First World War Trench Memorial © Louis Leroux-Gere. Location: Vimy, Pas-de-Calais, Hauts de France, France. Runner-up, Skyscapes category. Taken with a Canon EOS 6D (Astro modified), Samyang XP 14 mm f/2.4 lens, 14 mm f/3.2, ISO 1000, 577 x 30-second exposures
New Class of Galactic Nebulae Around the Star YY Hya © Marcel Drechsler. Location: Ovalle, Chile. Winner, Stars & Nebulae category. Taken with an ASA Newtonian 500 mm telescope, ASA DDM85 mount, FLI ProLine 16803 camera, 1,900 mm f/3.8, 890 x 1,200-second exposures, 672 x 300-second exposures and 15 x 1,800-second exposures
LDN 1448 et al. © Anthony Quintile. Location: Flagstaff, Arizona, USA. Runner-up, Stars & Nebulae category. Taken with a Sky-Watcher Quattro 250P telescope, Losmandy G11 Gemini 2 mount, ZWO ASI2600MC Pro camera, Starizona Nexus 0.75 x reducer/corrector, 750 mm f/3, Gain 100, 1,022 x 120-second exposures
The Dark Wolf – Fenrir © James Baguley. Location: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Highly commended, Stars & Nebulae category. Taken with a Sidereal Trading 10” f/4 Newtonian telescope, Optolong L-eXtreme filter, iOptron CEM60EC mount, ZWO 2600MC Pro camera, 1,000 mm f/4, 165 x 300-second exposures, 13 hours 24 minutes total exposure
Sh2-132: Blinded by the Light © Aaron Wilhelm. Location: Santa Monica, California, USA. Winner, The Sir Patrick Moore Prize for Best Newcomer. Taken with a William Optics Fluorostar132 mm telescope, Chroma 3 nm/50 mm SII/H-alpha/OIII filters, Astro-Physics Mach2GTO mount, ZWO ASI6200MM Pro camera, 910 mm f/6.9, SII: 87 x 900-second exposures; H-alpha: 92 x 900-second exposures; OIII: 87 x 900-second exposures, 66 hours and 30 minutes total exposure
Sh2-132: Blinded by the Light © Aaron Wilhelm. Location: Santa Monica, California, USA. Winner, The Sir Patrick Moore Prize for Best Newcomer. Taken with a William Optics Fluorostar132 mm telescope, Chroma 3 nm/50 mm SII/H-alpha/OIII filters, Astro-Physics Mach2GTO mount, ZWO ASI6200MM Pro camera, 910 mm f/6.9, SII: 87 x 900-second exposures; H-alpha: 92 x 900-second exposures; OIII: 87 x 900-second exposures, 66 hours and 30 minutes total exposure
The Running Chicken Nebula © Runwei Xu and Binyu Wang. Location: El Sauce Observatory, Río Hurtado, Chile. Winner, Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year. Taken with an ASA N20 f/3.8 Newtonian telescope, ASA DDM85 mount, FLI Proline 16803 camera, 1,900 mm f/3.8, 5.5 hours total exposure
The Running Chicken Nebula © Runwei Xu and Binyu Wang. Location: El Sauce Observatory, Río Hurtado, Chile. Winner, Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year. Taken with an ASA N20 f/3.8 Newtonian telescope, ASA DDM85 mount, FLI Proline 16803 camera, 1,900 mm f/3.8, 5.5 hours total exposure
Blue Spirit Drifting in the Clouds © Haocheng Li and Runwei Xu. Location: Shangri-la City, Yunnan, China. Runner-up, Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year. Taken with a Sky Rover 102APO telescope, Optolong LRGB filter, NEQ6 mount, ZWO ASI294MM camera, 714 mm f/7, ISO 100, multiple 300-second exposures, 9 hours total exposure
Blue Spirit Drifting in the Clouds © Haocheng Li and Runwei Xu. Location: Shangri-la City, Yunnan, China. Runner-up, Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year. Taken with a Sky Rover 102APO telescope, Optolong LRGB filter, NEQ6 mount, ZWO ASI294MM camera, 714 mm f/7, ISO 100, multiple 300-second exposures, 9 hours total exposure
Lunar Occultation of Mars © Joshua Harwood-White. Location: Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, UK. Highly commended, Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year. Taken with a Celestron Astromaster 102AZ Refractor telescope, 102 mm Achromatic lens, Manual Alt Azimuth mount, Apple iPhone SE 2nd Generation, 12 mp wide camera, 660 mm f/1.8, ISO 80, 1/15-second exposure
Lunar Occultation of Mars © Joshua Harwood-White. Location: Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, UK. Highly commended, Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year. Taken with a Celestron Astromaster 102AZ Refractor telescope, 102 mm Achromatic lens, Manual Alt Azimuth mount, Apple iPhone SE 2nd Generation, 12 mp wide camera, 660 mm f/1.8, ISO 80, 1/15-second exposure
Roses Blooming in the Dark: NGC 2337 © Yanhao Mo. Location: Xinbei District, Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China. Highly commended, Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year. Taken with a Sky-Watcher 150/750 telescope, Meyon MPCC Optolong LRGB & SII, H-alpha and OII filters, Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro mount, QHY-268M camera, 750 mm f/5, Gain 26, 8 x 7-hour exposures, 600 seconds per LRGB filter
Moon at Nightfall © Haohan Sun. Location: Dalian, Liaoning, China. Highly commended, Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year. Moon: Canon 24-105mm camera, 5 x ISO 1600, 6 x SO3200, 2 x 1/100-second exposures, 3 x 1/50-second exposures, 6 x 1/30-second exposures; Foreground: Canon EOS 6D Mark II camera, 150 mm f/4, ISO 1600, 40 x 1/125-second exposures
Moon at Nightfall © Haohan Sun. Location: Dalian, Liaoning, China. Highly commended, Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year. Moon: Canon 24-105mm camera, 5 x ISO 1600, 6 x SO3200, 2 x 1/100-second exposures, 3 x 1/50-second exposures, 6 x 1/30-second exposures; Foreground: Canon EOS 6D Mark II camera, 150 mm f/4, ISO 1600, 40 x 1/125-second exposures
Black Echo © John White. Winner, Annie Maunder Prize for Image Innovation . Original data from the NASA Chandra X-Ray Observatory, May 2022.
Black Echo © John White. Winner, Annie Maunder Prize for Image Innovation . Original data from the NASA Chandra X-Ray Observatory, May 2022.

Our pick of the best images sent in by readers this month.

Elephant Trunk Nebula Vikas Chander, Animas, New Mexico, USA, 15-23 July 2023 Equipment: FLI ProLine PL16803 mono CCD camera, PlaneWave CDK17 f/6.8 astrograph, Software Bisque Paramount ME mount
Elephant Trunk Nebula Vikas Chander, Animas, New Mexico, USA, 15-23 July 2023 Equipment: FLI ProLine PL16803 mono CCD camera, PlaneWave CDK17 f/6.8 astrograph, Software Bisque Paramount ME mount
NGC 688, the Crescent Nebula Alfonso Merino, Madrid, Spain, 7 July 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASI294MC colour CMOS camera, Celestron C8 Schmidt-Cassegrain, Sky-Watcher EQ6-R mount
NGC 688, the Crescent Nebula Alfonso Merino, Madrid, Spain, 7 July 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASI294MC colour CMOS camera, Celestron C8 Schmidt-Cassegrain, Sky-Watcher EQ6-R mount
Sunspot 3363 Anton Matthews, Bristol, UK, 17 July 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASI178MM mono CMOS camera, Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED DS-pro refractor, Sky-Watcher AZ-GTiX mount
Sunspot 3363 Anton Matthews, Bristol, UK, 17 July 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASI178MM mono CMOS camera, Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED DS-pro refractor, Sky-Watcher AZ-GTiX mount
Sturgeon Moon above Cefalà Diana Dario Giannobile, Cefalà Diana, Sicily, Italy, 1 August 2023 Equipment: Canon EOS 7D DSLR camera
Sturgeon Moon above Cefalà Diana Dario Giannobile, Cefalà Diana, Sicily, Italy, 1 August 2023 Equipment: Canon EOS 7D DSLR camera
Caldwell 34, the Western Veil Nebula Jonathon Elliott, Gloucester, UK, 16 July 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro mono CMOS camera, SharpStar 140PH f/6.5 triplet apo refractor, Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro mount
Caldwell 34, the Western Veil Nebula Jonathon Elliott, Gloucester, UK, 16 July 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro mono CMOS camera, SharpStar 140PH f/6.5 triplet apo refractor, Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro mount
M31, the Andromeda Galaxy Harshwardhan Pathak, IC Astronomy Observatory, Spain, captured remotely via Telescope Live, 15 July 2023 Equipment: QHY600PH-M mono CMOS camera, Takahashi FSQ-106EDX4 astrograph, Paramout MIX mount
M31, the Andromeda Galaxy Harshwardhan Pathak, IC Astronomy Observatory, Spain, captured remotely via Telescope Live, 15 July 2023 Equipment: QHY600PH-M mono CMOS camera, Takahashi FSQ-106EDX4 astrograph, Paramout MIX mount
Jupiter and Ganymede Ivana Peranic, Brighton, UK, 15 December 2022 Equipment: ZWO ASI1662MC colour CMOS camera, Celestron CPC800 SCT with integrated alt-az mount
Jupiter and Ganymede Ivana Peranic, Brighton, UK, 15 December 2022 Equipment: ZWO ASI1662MC colour CMOS camera, Celestron CPC800 SCT with integrated alt-az mount
Fireball meteor Michael Kleinburger, Hochkar, Austria, 15 July 2023 Equipment: Astro-modded Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera, Nikon Z 50mm lens
Fireball meteor Michael Kleinburger, Hochkar, Austria, 15 July 2023 Equipment: Astro-modded Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera, Nikon Z 50mm lens
Barnard 312 Pro Giacomo, Torricellla, Italy, 11-13 July 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASI294MC-Pro colour CMOS camera, SharpStar 94EDPH triplet refractor, Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro mount
Barnard 312 Pro Giacomo, Torricellla, Italy, 11-13 July 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASI294MC-Pro colour CMOS camera, SharpStar 94EDPH triplet refractor, Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro mount
M45, the Pleiades Ronald Brecher, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, 6 December 2020-9 February 2021 Equipment: QHY 367C Pro colour CMOS camera, Takahashi FSQ-106EDX4 quadruplet refractor, Paramount MX mount
M45, the Pleiades Ronald Brecher, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, 6 December 2020-9 February 2021 Equipment: QHY 367C Pro colour CMOS camera, Takahashi FSQ-106EDX4 quadruplet refractor, Paramount MX mount
NGC 225 Andrea Bergamini and Sameer Bharadwaj, Fregenal de la Sierra, Spain, 20-27 July 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro mono CMOS camera, TS-Optics GSO 10-inch Ritchey-Chretien, Software Bisque Paramount MX mount
NGC 225 Andrea Bergamini and Sameer Bharadwaj, Fregenal de la Sierra, Spain, 20-27 July 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro mono CMOS camera, TS-Optics GSO 10-inch Ritchey-Chretien, Software Bisque Paramount MX mount
Collinder 399, the Coathanger Asterism John Chumack, Dayton, Ohio, USA, 31 July 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASI294MC colour CMOS camera, Celestron RASA 8 f/2 astrograph, Software Bisque Paramount MYT mount
Collinder 399, the Coathanger Asterism John Chumack, Dayton, Ohio, USA, 31 July 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASI294MC colour CMOS camera, Celestron RASA 8 f/2 astrograph, Software Bisque Paramount MYT mount
Waxing gibbous Moon David Hoskin, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2 April 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASI533MC Pro colour CMOS camera, Celestron Omni XLT 150 f/5 reflector, Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro mount
Waxing gibbous Moon David Hoskin, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2 April 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASI533MC Pro colour CMOS camera, Celestron Omni XLT 150 f/5 reflector, Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro mount
The Elephant’s Trunk Nebula Giuseppe De Pace, Torino, Italy, July 2023 Equipment: QHY268M Pro CMOS camera, Askar FRA600 quintuplet refractor, Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 mount
The Elephant’s Trunk Nebula Giuseppe De Pace, Torino, Italy, July 2023 Equipment: QHY268M Pro CMOS camera, Askar FRA600 quintuplet refractor, Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 mount
ISS solar transit John Arnold, Leeds, West Yorkshire, 11 June 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASl178MM mono CMOS camera, Sky-Watcher Skymax 150mm Maksutov-Cassegrain, Sky-Watcher EQ-5 mount
ISS solar transit John Arnold, Leeds, West Yorkshire, 11 June 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASl178MM mono CMOS camera, Sky-Watcher Skymax 150mm Maksutov-Cassegrain, Sky-Watcher EQ-5 mount
Sturgeon Moon over the Nile Osama Fathi, Cairo, Egypt, 1 August 2023 Equipment: Astro-modded Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera, William Optics RedCat51 250mm refractor
Sturgeon Moon over the Nile Osama Fathi, Cairo, Egypt, 1 August 2023 Equipment: Astro-modded Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera, William Optics RedCat51 250mm refractor
NGC 7635, the Bubble Nebula Prabhu Astrophotography, Emirates Astronomical Observatory, 25-28 November 2022 Equipment: ZWO ASI294MM Pro mono CMOS camera, Sky-Watcher Esprit 80ED triplet apo refractor, Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 mount
NGC 7635, the Bubble Nebula Prabhu Astrophotography, Emirates Astronomical Observatory, 25-28 November 2022 Equipment: ZWO ASI294MM Pro mono CMOS camera, Sky-Watcher Esprit 80ED triplet apo refractor, Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 mount
Stars over Nebraska Sonali Deshmukh, Merritt Reservoir, Nebraska, USA, 22 July 2023 Equipment: Canon EOS R6 mirrorless camera, tripod
Stars over Nebraska Sonali Deshmukh, Merritt Reservoir, Nebraska, USA, 22 July 2023 Equipment: Canon EOS R6 mirrorless camera, tripod
Sharpless 101, the Tulip Nebula Patrick Cosgrove, Honeye Falls, New York, USA, 2-4 August 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro mono CMOS camera, Astro-Physics 130mm f/8.35 StarFire apo refractor, iOptron CEM60 mount
Sharpless 101, the Tulip Nebula Patrick Cosgrove, Honeye Falls, New York, USA, 2-4 August 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro mono CMOS camera, Astro-Physics 130mm f/8.35 StarFire apo refractor, iOptron CEM60 mount
Sharpless 157, the Lobster Claw Nebula Steve Leonard, Markham, Ontario, Canada, June-July 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASI1600MM Pro mono CMOS camera, Astro-Tech AT115EDT triplet apo refractor, Sky-Watcher EQ6-R mount
Sharpless 157, the Lobster Claw Nebula Steve Leonard, Markham, Ontario, Canada, June-July 2023 Equipment: ZWO ASI1600MM Pro mono CMOS camera, Astro-Tech AT115EDT triplet apo refractor, Sky-Watcher EQ6-R mount

Eye On The Sky

Our pick of the best images captured by space telescopes and professional observatories.

M57, the Ring Nebula James Webb Space Telescope, 21 August 2023 Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA, CSA, M. Barlow, N. Cox, R. Wesson
M57, the Ring Nebula James Webb Space Telescope, 21 August 2023 Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA, CSA, M. Barlow, N. Cox, R. Wesson
NGC 346 James Webb Space Telescope, 24 July 2023 Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, A. Pagan (STScI)
NGC 346 James Webb Space Telescope, 24 July 2023 Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, A. Pagan (STScI)
NGC 4565, the Needle Galaxy Spitzer Space Telescope, 21 August 2023 Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
NGC 4565, the Needle Galaxy Spitzer Space Telescope, 21 August 2023 Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
NGC 6822, Barnard’s Galaxy James Webb Space Telescope, 31 July 2023 Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, M. Meixner
NGC 6723 Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope, 31 July 2023 Credit: ESO/S. Meingast et al.
NGC 6723 Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope, 31 July 2023 Credit: ESO/S. Meingast et al.
NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter Mars rover Perseverance, 16 August 2023 Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS
NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter Mars rover Perseverance, 16 August 2023 Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS
NGC 6652 Hubble Space Telescope, 31 July 2023 Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, A. Sarajedini, G. Piotto
NGC 6684 Hubble Space Telescope, 7 August 2023 Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, R. Tully
El Gordo galaxy cluster James Webb Space Telescope Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA. Science: Jose M. Diego (IFCA), Brenda Frye (University of Arizona), Patrick Kamieneski (ASU), Tim Carleton (ASU), Rogier Windhorst (ASU). Image processing: Alyssa Pagan (STScI), Jake Summers (ASU), Jordan C. J. D'Silva (UWA), Anton M. Koekemoer (STScI), Aaron Robotham (UWA), Rogier Windhorst (ASU)
El Gordo galaxy cluster James Webb Space Telescope Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA. Science: Jose M. Diego (IFCA), Brenda Frye (University of Arizona), Patrick Kamieneski (ASU), Tim Carleton (ASU), Rogier Windhorst (ASU). Image processing: Alyssa Pagan (STScI), Jake Summers (ASU), Jordan C. J. D'Silva (UWA), Anton M. Koekemoer (STScI), Aaron Robotham (UWA), Rogier Windhorst (ASU)
Herbig-Haro 46/47 James Webb Space Telescope, 26 July 2023 Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA. Image processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI), Anton M. Koekemoer (STScI)
Herbig-Haro 46/47 James Webb Space Telescope, 26 July 2023 Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA. Image processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI), Anton M. Koekemoer (STScI)

Software

Download Argo Navis Deep-Sky Tour

This month's deep-sky tour plan file can be imported into the Argo Navis Digital Telescope Computer using Argonaut software, a free utility available from Wildcard Innovations. Using Argo Navis with this month's deep-sky tour plan file, you can:

• display essential information from the Argo Navis database for each object

• slew your telescope to each object in the plan - requires a compatible mount.

• push your telescope to each object in the plan using the coordinates provided on the Argo Navis display.

To import this month's deep-sky tour plan file into Argo Navis using Argonaut software:

Download and save the file to your hard drive.

Run the Argonaut utility program and transfer the plan into your Argo Navis DTC.

This month's Deep-Sky Tour plan file is produced by Deep-Sky Planner 8 (see knightware.biz/dsp).

Copyright Wildcard Innovations Pty Ltd.

Download Deep-Sky Planner

License type Full software
Platform Windows
Versions 8.1, 10

Deep-Sky Planner 8 astronomy software for Windows provides the tools you need to make your time at the telescope more efficient and enjoyable.

• sort the objects in the plan according to the best time and order to view each object.

• slew your ASCOM-compatible Go-To mount to each object in the plan - requires ASCOM software (free).

• show a sky chart centred on each object in the plan using one of the top planetarium software titles – requires TheSky, Starry Night, Redshift, Cartes du Ciel (free) or Stellarium (free).

• record your observation in the open, non-proprietary observing log.

Details about Deep-Sky Planner and how to purchase can be found here.

Download the Deep-Sky Planner compatible file of this month's deep-sky tour observing plan file so that you can visit each object directly with Deep-Sky Planner. Save the file to your hard drive and double click it to open it in Deep-Sky Planner.

Download EQTOUR

If you are one of the many astronomers who use the ASCOM driver EQMOD to control your ASCOM-compatible Go-To mount, you can use an add-on application called EQTOUR to call up various sets of sky tours like Messier, Caldwell, Globular Clusters and simply click on an object name to slew to it.

Details about the application and how to download it free of charge can be found here.

Download the EQTOUR compatible file of our monthly Deep-sky tour, so that you can visit each object directly from your EQMod control panel. We've also included a PDF document that explains the system and how to get it installed with your telescope setup.

Copy the .lst file from the folder that appears into the same directory as the EQTOUR application file, EQTOUR.exe, and follow the instructions in the link above.

Download SkySafari

License type Full software

Platform iOS, Android

Versions 4 or later (Plus or Pro editions)

This month's deep-sky tour plan file can be imported into SkySafari software, available from Simulation Curriculum.

Using this month's deep-sky tour plan file on SkySafari, you can:

• view each object in SkySafari's night sky simulation view

• display essential information from the SkySafari database for each object

• slew your telescope to each object in the plan - requires a compatible mount.

To import this month's deep-sky tour plan file into SkySafari, please see the SkySafari user manual for your device platform and version of SkySafari.

This month's Deep-Sky Tour plan file is produced by Deep-Sky Planner 8.

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