Visual Observing

• Return of the Red Planet

Mars returns to opposition on 30 January 2010. Learn how to see the red planet.

• Comet Hunting

William Bradfield, visual discoverer of 18 comets, explains what you need to get started comet hunting.

• Seeing Conditions

Paul Rogers explains what seeing means, and how to determine your sky's seeing conditions.

• Iridium Flares

How to observe a spectacular new phenomena in the sky.

• A Tale of Discovery

Justin Tilbrook, one of our more experienced variable star observers, was not searching for comets. He just happened to be looking in the right direction at the right time...

• Who is NGC 6374?

Does NGC 6374 really exist or did Sir John Herschel have other things on his mind when he discovered this "open cluster" in 1837? Jenni tells how she tracked down the truth and provides an answer to this mystery once and for all.