Steve Brown - astronomy and astrophotography
@sjbastro.bsky.social
Amateur astronomer and astrophotographer, including Sirius, meteors, noctilucent clouds and aurora. Articles and pictures published in books and magazines. Been on TV and radio talking about astronomy. Always need more sleep.
Pinned
The astronomy highlights for January 2026:
The year starts with a reasonably good meteor shower in the Quadrantids, albeit in a bright moonlit sky. There are also some good transits of Jupiter's moons and the Moon partially occults the Pleiades.
#Astronomy #Astrophotography #Stargazing
The year starts with a reasonably good meteor shower in the Quadrantids, albeit in a bright moonlit sky. There are also some good transits of Jupiter's moons and the Moon partially occults the Pleiades.
#Astronomy #Astrophotography #Stargazing
Captured this nice #Quadrantid meteor last night. It passed through Ursa Major at 00:15 UT. I caught it visually too and it was the best of the night. I estimated it at mag -4 and yellow in colour. #Quadrantids #Astronomy #Astrophotography
January 4, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Captured this nice #Quadrantid meteor last night. It passed through Ursa Major at 00:15 UT. I caught it visually too and it was the best of the night. I estimated it at mag -4 and yellow in colour. #Quadrantids #Astronomy #Astrophotography
I did consider driving 'up top' last night to watch the Quadrantids but thought better of it. Glad I didn't 😀
'Drivers urged to avoid 'treacherous' national park' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Drivers urged to avoid 'treacherous' national park' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Drivers urged to avoid 'treacherous' roads in North York Moors
The police are asking drivers to avoid the North York Moors National Park due to snow and ice.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 4, 2026 at 4:26 PM
I did consider driving 'up top' last night to watch the Quadrantids but thought better of it. Glad I didn't 😀
'Drivers urged to avoid 'treacherous' national park' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Drivers urged to avoid 'treacherous' national park' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Steve Brown - astronomy and astrophotography
A splendid cold walk to Fiddlers Gill to see the fab but rusting Victorian #Braidwood Telescope! Once part of the now long-gone Lanark Observatory, its optics are safe at the Lanark Museum. Sadly I see no hope in restoring this beauty tho, that's been long-abandoned in this field ☹️ #histsci 🔭🏴
January 4, 2026 at 12:32 PM
A splendid cold walk to Fiddlers Gill to see the fab but rusting Victorian #Braidwood Telescope! Once part of the now long-gone Lanark Observatory, its optics are safe at the Lanark Museum. Sadly I see no hope in restoring this beauty tho, that's been long-abandoned in this field ☹️ #histsci 🔭🏴
Reposted by Steve Brown - astronomy and astrophotography
Good morning from freezing London. The Moon (still quite full) and Jupiter on show at day break! Catch the pair now in the far west/north.
#astronomy #astrophotography @stormhour.com @photohour.bsky.social
#astronomy #astrophotography @stormhour.com @photohour.bsky.social
January 4, 2026 at 7:46 AM
Good morning from freezing London. The Moon (still quite full) and Jupiter on show at day break! Catch the pair now in the far west/north.
#astronomy #astrophotography @stormhour.com @photohour.bsky.social
#astronomy #astrophotography @stormhour.com @photohour.bsky.social
Rather successful night of #Quadrantids observing last night, despite the full Moon and icy weather. Got to see and photograph quite a few.
January 4, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Rather successful night of #Quadrantids observing last night, despite the full Moon and icy weather. Got to see and photograph quite a few.
Got one camera out trying to capture some Quadrantids. Pretty difficult to get the balance of settings right, with the full Moon in the sky. I'll see what happens. It could end up freezing solid though! 😀
January 3, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Got one camera out trying to capture some Quadrantids. Pretty difficult to get the balance of settings right, with the full Moon in the sky. I'll see what happens. It could end up freezing solid though! 😀
Reposted by Steve Brown - astronomy and astrophotography
Might need a click!
Tonight's (now waning) Moon with Jupiter below.
#astronomy #astrophotography
@stormhour.com @photohour.bsky.social
Tonight's (now waning) Moon with Jupiter below.
#astronomy #astrophotography
@stormhour.com @photohour.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Might need a click!
Tonight's (now waning) Moon with Jupiter below.
#astronomy #astrophotography
@stormhour.com @photohour.bsky.social
Tonight's (now waning) Moon with Jupiter below.
#astronomy #astrophotography
@stormhour.com @photohour.bsky.social
Reposted by Steve Brown - astronomy and astrophotography
I have a Wolf supermoon stargazing challenge for you tonight (Jan3rd, weather Gods willing). Raise your arm to the moon to find Jupiter which is ~2-fingers below it to the right. The Gemini twins, Castor and Pollux are ~3-fingers to the left.
This is your last #supermoon until Nov - enjoy! 🔭🧪
This is your last #supermoon until Nov - enjoy! 🔭🧪
January 3, 2026 at 10:56 AM
I have a Wolf supermoon stargazing challenge for you tonight (Jan3rd, weather Gods willing). Raise your arm to the moon to find Jupiter which is ~2-fingers below it to the right. The Gemini twins, Castor and Pollux are ~3-fingers to the left.
This is your last #supermoon until Nov - enjoy! 🔭🧪
This is your last #supermoon until Nov - enjoy! 🔭🧪
January 3, 2026 at 8:37 AM
The #Quadrantids meteor shower peaks tomorrow evening, 3 January. The narrow peak lasts around 6 hours centred on 21:00 UT. Despite the full Moon this year, you could still see around 10 per hour with clear skies. Observe as soon as it gets dark and you should see some. #Astronomy
January 2, 2026 at 9:19 PM
The #Quadrantids meteor shower peaks tomorrow evening, 3 January. The narrow peak lasts around 6 hours centred on 21:00 UT. Despite the full Moon this year, you could still see around 10 per hour with clear skies. Observe as soon as it gets dark and you should see some. #Astronomy
Reposted by Steve Brown - astronomy and astrophotography
It's Wolf Moon weekend! The first full moon of 2026 has risen. Currently 99% full (reaches maximum whilst set), it will be a 'Supermoon' tomorrow at 2pm.
#astronomy #astrophotography @stormhour.com @photohour.bsky.social
#astronomy #astrophotography @stormhour.com @photohour.bsky.social
January 2, 2026 at 4:00 PM
It's Wolf Moon weekend! The first full moon of 2026 has risen. Currently 99% full (reaches maximum whilst set), it will be a 'Supermoon' tomorrow at 2pm.
#astronomy #astrophotography @stormhour.com @photohour.bsky.social
#astronomy #astrophotography @stormhour.com @photohour.bsky.social
Beam shone into sky to celebrate science campus www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Beam shone into sky to celebrate Harwell Campus
The visual spectacle, known as The Beam, marked the 80th birthday of Harwell Campus.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 2, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Beam shone into sky to celebrate science campus www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Why everything from your phone to your PC may get pricier in 2026 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Why everything from your phone to your PC may get pricier in 2026
The price of Ram - once one of the cheapest computer parts - has more than doubled since October 2025.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 2, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Why everything from your phone to your PC may get pricier in 2026 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Volunteers in Bedford, UK discover 'significant' Roman building. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Bedford Roman villa volunteers hoping to return after big find
An archaeologist says the excavation is helping put Bedford on the map.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 2, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Volunteers in Bedford, UK discover 'significant' Roman building. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rare butterfly numbers reach record levels www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rare butterfly numbers reach record levels says charity
Marsh Fritillary butterfly numbers have more than doubled at Lydlinch Common during an annual survey
www.bbc.co.uk
January 2, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Rare butterfly numbers reach record levels www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Clear sky this evening so it seemed a shame not to do a Sirius light trail 😀 #Astronomy #SciArt #TheRainbowStar
January 1, 2026 at 11:16 PM
Clear sky this evening so it seemed a shame not to do a Sirius light trail 😀 #Astronomy #SciArt #TheRainbowStar
Reposted by Steve Brown - astronomy and astrophotography
Let the new year swirl in…
What looks like a vortex of fire is in reality a disc around the young AB Aurigae star.
Close to the centre, the ‘twist’ (in very bright yellow) marks the spot where scientists believe a planet is forming. 🔭
What looks like a vortex of fire is in reality a disc around the young AB Aurigae star.
Close to the centre, the ‘twist’ (in very bright yellow) marks the spot where scientists believe a planet is forming. 🔭
January 1, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Let the new year swirl in…
What looks like a vortex of fire is in reality a disc around the young AB Aurigae star.
Close to the centre, the ‘twist’ (in very bright yellow) marks the spot where scientists believe a planet is forming. 🔭
What looks like a vortex of fire is in reality a disc around the young AB Aurigae star.
Close to the centre, the ‘twist’ (in very bright yellow) marks the spot where scientists believe a planet is forming. 🔭
The astronomy highlights for January 2026:
The year starts with a reasonably good meteor shower in the Quadrantids, albeit in a bright moonlit sky. There are also some good transits of Jupiter's moons and the Moon partially occults the Pleiades.
#Astronomy #Astrophotography #Stargazing
The year starts with a reasonably good meteor shower in the Quadrantids, albeit in a bright moonlit sky. There are also some good transits of Jupiter's moons and the Moon partially occults the Pleiades.
#Astronomy #Astrophotography #Stargazing
January 1, 2026 at 7:44 PM
The astronomy highlights for January 2026:
The year starts with a reasonably good meteor shower in the Quadrantids, albeit in a bright moonlit sky. There are also some good transits of Jupiter's moons and the Moon partially occults the Pleiades.
#Astronomy #Astrophotography #Stargazing
The year starts with a reasonably good meteor shower in the Quadrantids, albeit in a bright moonlit sky. There are also some good transits of Jupiter's moons and the Moon partially occults the Pleiades.
#Astronomy #Astrophotography #Stargazing
January 1, 2026 at 5:03 PM
I spy a blue sky Moon 😀 #Moon #Astronomy
January 1, 2026 at 4:51 PM
I spy a blue sky Moon 😀 #Moon #Astronomy
Around 21:10 UT this evening, 1 January, Titan can be seen emerging from behind Saturn's disc, having been hidden by the planet from 16:05 UT. From the UK Saturn will be low in the west-southwest at the time. #Saturn #Astronomy
January 1, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Around 21:10 UT this evening, 1 January, Titan can be seen emerging from behind Saturn's disc, having been hidden by the planet from 16:05 UT. From the UK Saturn will be low in the west-southwest at the time. #Saturn #Astronomy
Welcome 2026! Hope you're going to behave yourself 😃
January 1, 2026 at 11:10 AM
Welcome 2026! Hope you're going to behave yourself 😃
This evening, 1 January - Io emerges from behind Jupiter at 18:15 UT, having been behind the planet from 16:00 UT. Later, around 20:06 UT, Callisto is eclipsed by Jupiter's shadow. It reappears from behind the planet around 02:02 UT on the morning of the 2nd. #Jupiter #Astronomy
January 1, 2026 at 11:01 AM
This evening, 1 January - Io emerges from behind Jupiter at 18:15 UT, having been behind the planet from 16:00 UT. Later, around 20:06 UT, Callisto is eclipsed by Jupiter's shadow. It reappears from behind the planet around 02:02 UT on the morning of the 2nd. #Jupiter #Astronomy
Wishing you all clear skies, a clear head and a clear journey ahead in 2026 😄
December 31, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Wishing you all clear skies, a clear head and a clear journey ahead in 2026 😄
Looking at YouTube today this isn't New Year's Eve but rather Seestar S30 Pro review release video day 😂 Looks interesting though - one for the wish list 😃
December 31, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Looking at YouTube today this isn't New Year's Eve but rather Seestar S30 Pro review release video day 😂 Looks interesting though - one for the wish list 😃