BBC Sky at Night Magazine - February 2023

In this issue

First date with a DSLR
Tips for taking great night shots with these versatile cameras.

Observing variable stars
Uncover how stars work through tracking changes in brightness..

STAR RING ROLE

Towards the centre of a spiral galaxy, a ring of stars circles a black hole, VERY LARGE TELESCOPE, 23 NOVEMBER 2022

2 mins

Concern grows over bright satellites

Astronomers have called for more protections of our night sky

2 mins

Previously unknown minerals identified in meteorite

The discovery could help geologists to uncover conditions deep inside growing planets

1 min

Are extended cycles shaping sunspots?

Twin 17-year solar cycles could be controlling the Sun's activity

1 min

Splashdown for Artemis

The Orion capsule successfully splashed down into the Pacific Ocean on 11 December at 9:40 am PST Pacific Standard Time), completing Artemis the first test flight in a programme to return humans to the Moon's surface.

1 min

Japan heads to the Moon

Hakuto-R, a commercial lunar lander from Japanese company iSpace, launched on 11 December and entered lunar orbit three days later.

1 min

Early galaxies lack cold hydrogen glow

A missing radio signal narrows down theories about infant galaxies

1 min

JWST reveals active exoplanet atmospheres

The telescope has found evidence of atmospheric reactions above an exoplanet

2 mins

Expansion leads to increased tension

JWST observations seem to confirm cosmology's biggest conundrum

2 mins

INSIDE THE SKY AT NIGHT

In The Sky at Night's last episode of 2022, Douglas Vakoch looked into how humanity could reach out and contact other worlds

2 mins

Looking back: The Sky at Night

18 February 1976,

1 min

CBeebies Stargazing

There is no episode of The Sky at Night in February, but there is a wealth of astronomy and stargazing content on the BBC iPlayer that's suitable for children and young astronomers.

1 min

FIELD OF VIEW

When the cosmos changes history, Jonathan Powell tracks celestial events that have altered world affairs

2 mins

First date with a DSLR

Taking nightscapes and Star trails with a DSLR camera Is a great way to get started In astrophotography. Stuart Atkinson gives his best tips for beginners

7 mins

Astronomy Photographer of the Year

Supported by Liberty Specialty Markets, The world-class competition returns in 2023, seeking the best astronomy image of the past year

1 min

Chelyabinsk 10 years on

In 2013 Ezzy Pearson visited the site of a massive meteor explosion. A decade later she looks back at what we learned from the event

6 mins

Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF

BEST TIME TO SEE: 8-23 February

2 mins

Favourable southwest lunar libration

BEST TIME TO SEE: 9-16 February

1 min

Venusian encounters

BEST TIME TO SEE: From 15 February, after sunset

1 min

Jupiter

Jupiter is rapidly losing ground to the evening twilight, appearing 29° above the southwest horizon under deep twilight conditions at the start of the month, but reaching only 12° above the western horizon by the time we reach the end of the month.

3 mins

Fra Mauro

Fra Mauro is a quintessential example of a walled plain. Measuring 96km in diameter and 800m in depth, its ancient form can be located east of 300km Mare Cognitum, the sea that has become known’.

2 mins

COMETS AND ASTEROIDS

Fingers crossed for comet C/2022 E3 ZTF reaching naked-eye visibility this month

1 min

STAR OF THE MONTH

Muscida, the nose of the Great Bear, Ursa Major

1 min

BINOCULAR TOUR With Steve Tonkin

This month we're off to a dog show, finding the best in class in Canis Major

2 mins

THE SKY GUIDE CHALLENGE

Can you beat Sirius's glare to identify its faint companion the Pup Star?

2 mins

DEEP-SKY TOUR

We'll start in Orion's Sword where M42, the Orion Nebula, takes pride of place. Magnificent through any instrument, smaller scopes give a lovely overview of this fourth-magnitude nebula, easily revealing the bright kidney-shaped 'core' within which the tightly packed stars of the Trapezium Cluster are embedded.

2 mins

Does the Universe expand faster than light?

Govert Schilling continues to explain cosmology's confusing concepts In part 2 of our series

2 mins

Expansion and gravity

Though the Universe is expanding, gravity helps keep it together

1 min

OBSERVING VARIABLE STARS

Pete Lawrence is your guide to viewing variable stars so you can record their changes in brightness

5 mins

The man who put the Sun at the CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSE

This month marks 550 years since the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus. Emily Winterburn explores his life and legacy

4 mins

The Columbia Space Shuttle disaster

Twenty years on, Amy Arthur looks back at fateful flight STS-107

3 mins

Build a zero-magnification finder

Make an illuminated aiming device you can use on any telescope

3 mins

Bring out the colours of stars

From reds to yellows to blues, here's how to reveal the subtle tones of stars in your images

2 mins

ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY PROCESSING

Reduce star trailing in your astro images, An easy processing tip to remedy stretched and unsharp stars

3 mins

Read all stories from BBC Sky at Night Magazine

BBC Sky at Night Magazine Description:

Complementing the much-loved BBC television programme, Sky at Night Magazine is your practical guide to astronomy. Each issue features columns by renowned experts such as Sir Patrick Moore as well as in-depth cosmological features, practical observing tutorials, comprehensive equipment reviews, astrophotography master classes and much, much more. And with easy-to follow star charts and expert advice on how to get the most out of the observing month, Sky at Night Magazine is essential reading for both the novice and experienced astronomer.