I was delighted to give a talk at Sidmouth Library to an enthusiastic audience. Taking them on an exploration of stars and how to see them, they were keen to learn how to use a planisphere and to get outside on a clear night. I also talked about my own journey from being hooked on the Moon landings to writing the book Stargazing for All to help others learn and enjoy the stars. My voluntary work at the Norman Lockyer Observatory was mentioned, especially in light of the proposed community asset transfer by the local council to the membership. My book is available from Winstones Bookshop in the High Street of Sidmouth, as well as online via Waterstones and Amazon. Please support independent bookshops and libraries by ordering and requesting through those 🙂
Now that the nights are indeed beginning to be more user-friendly for star watchers, please be mindful of light pollution from garden lights (why?) and open curtains. The Lunartic Society did not street lights, remember! By no means mad, these people keen to learn in the evening could only meet when the moon was bright enough to see by as this was pre-streetlight times.
And, finally, there is still time to enjoy the tail end of the current lunar standstill before the extremes of high and low moons begin to even out and become less extreme. Look low on the horizon towards the south to see the moon set at one of its lowest position before the next round of extremes in 18.6 years time. You may also catch a glimpse of the red giant star, Antares, in Scorpius, very low and very close to that low setting moon.
Karen Hedges 