Welcome
There’s always something new to learn about our Moon
There’s something special about the full Moon on 19 August: it will be a seasonal blue Moon – in the original sense of the term – as well as a perigee full Moon, also known in popular culture as a supermoon. What’s more, because its path through the night sky is low to the horizon in summer, it will appear to be huge, especially around moonrise on the 19th. What better time than this ‘true blue supermoon’ to get to know Earth’s only natural satellite? Turn to page 34 to discover nine essential lunar facts with Katrin Raynor, including where it came from, how it got so scarred and the role it plays in nature’s grandest optical illusion.
Exciting times continue into September too. After a conspicuous absence from Northern Hemisphere skies in the first half of this year, the planets return to our celestial sphere! Heralding their reappearance is the opposition of Saturn on 8 September, when the ringed planet will be shining bright and a joy to observe. The planetary bonanza continues through to the end of 2024, and on page 28, Pete Lawrence highlights the best sights to come, so you don’t have to miss any of the planetary action.
But as science has revealed more of the Solar System to us, we’ve discovered that it contains much more than bodies whose gravity is sufficient to form a spherical shape. On page 50, Stuart Atkinson examines 10 of the most bizarre objects and alien environments to be found in orbit around the Sun.
Enjoy the issue!
Chris Bramley, Editor
PS Our next issue goes on sale on Friday 13 September.
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Sky at Night – lots of ways to enjoy the night sky…
Television
Find out what The Sky at Night team have been exploring in recent and past episodes on page 18
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September 2024 BBC Sk y at Night Magazine
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