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 thread for November 2025:
The highlights this month are the two streams of the Taurids meteor shower, as well as the Leonids. Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) continues to be a low astrophotography target in the early evening sky.
#Astrophotography #Stargazing
The highlights this month are the two streams of the Taurids meteor shower, as well as the Leonids. Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) continues to be a low astrophotography target in the early evening sky.
#Astrophotography #Stargazing
The 63% lit #Moon is close to the Beehive Cluster in the constellation of Cancer this evening into tomorrow morning. #Astronomy
November 10, 2025 at 7:30 PM
The 63% lit #Moon is close to the Beehive Cluster in the constellation of Cancer this evening into tomorrow morning. #Astronomy
Just over two hours of star trails from last night, under bright moonlight. Looking towards Aquila. #Astronomy #Astrophotography
November 9, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Just over two hours of star trails from last night, under bright moonlight. Looking towards Aquila. #Astronomy #Astrophotography
The 73% lit #Moon sits above #Jupiter this evening into tomorrow morning. Look to the east from around 20:00 UT to see the pair rising. The stars Castor and Pollux in Gemini are also close to the Moon. #Astronomy
November 9, 2025 at 7:01 PM
The 73% lit #Moon sits above #Jupiter this evening into tomorrow morning. Look to the east from around 20:00 UT to see the pair rising. The stars Castor and Pollux in Gemini are also close to the Moon. #Astronomy
Reposted by Steve Brown - astronomy and astrophotography
A nice sporadic meteor captured in the early hours. Yes, that is the Moon. Details can be found here: archive.ukmeteors.co.uk/reports/2025... 🔭🧪😊
November 9, 2025 at 12:27 PM
A nice sporadic meteor captured in the early hours. Yes, that is the Moon. Details can be found here: archive.ukmeteors.co.uk/reports/2025... 🔭🧪😊
Reposted by Steve Brown - astronomy and astrophotography
Good Sunday morning. A misty blue sky to greet us Blueskyers in London and an 80% waxing gibbous Moon! #astronomy #astrophotography @stormhour.com @photohour.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Good Sunday morning. A misty blue sky to greet us Blueskyers in London and an 80% waxing gibbous Moon! #astronomy #astrophotography @stormhour.com @photohour.bsky.social
Reposted by Steve Brown - astronomy and astrophotography
out observing targets for my thesis (and some running survey programs) with IGRINS. Had some great weather the past few nights and hoping for more! 🔭✨
November 9, 2025 at 12:57 AM
out observing targets for my thesis (and some running survey programs) with IGRINS. Had some great weather the past few nights and hoping for more! 🔭✨
Titan transits across Saturn's disc from 20:35 UT this evening. The transit ends after #Saturn sets. #Astronomy
November 6, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Titan transits across Saturn's disc from 20:35 UT this evening. The transit ends after #Saturn sets. #Astronomy
The very first humans may have been inventors, according to a discovery in northwest Kenya. Researchers have found that the primitive humans who lived 2.75 million years ago at an archaeological site called Namorotukunan used stone tools continuously for 300,000 years. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Stone tool discovery suggests very first humans were inventors
The find shows that the technology was passed down through thousands of generations.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 8:25 AM
The very first humans may have been inventors, according to a discovery in northwest Kenya. Researchers have found that the primitive humans who lived 2.75 million years ago at an archaeological site called Namorotukunan used stone tools continuously for 300,000 years. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Steve Brown - astronomy and astrophotography
This JSWT image shows Jupiter's Ring. Also you can see Jupiter's Great Red Spot (GRS), Jupiter's large moon Europa (the diffraction spikes) on the left, and Europa's shadow (next to the GRS). The seemingly separated cloud layer on Jupiter's right limb are not yet well understood.
#Astronomy #Jupiter
#Astronomy #Jupiter
November 6, 2025 at 7:29 AM
This JSWT image shows Jupiter's Ring. Also you can see Jupiter's Great Red Spot (GRS), Jupiter's large moon Europa (the diffraction spikes) on the left, and Europa's shadow (next to the GRS). The seemingly separated cloud layer on Jupiter's right limb are not yet well understood.
#Astronomy #Jupiter
#Astronomy #Jupiter
Reposted by Steve Brown - astronomy and astrophotography
Aurora Forecast Update for 2025-11-06T08:20:45Z
ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 6
Threshold Reached: 2025 Nov 06 0809 UTC
Synoptic Period: 0600-0900 UTC
Active Warning: Yes
NOAA Scale: G2 - Moderate
Additional Details Here.
ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 6
Threshold Reached: 2025 Nov 06 0809 UTC
Synoptic Period: 0600-0900 UTC
Active Warning: Yes
NOAA Scale: G2 - Moderate
Additional Details Here.
November 6, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Aurora Forecast Update for 2025-11-06T08:20:45Z
ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 6
Threshold Reached: 2025 Nov 06 0809 UTC
Synoptic Period: 0600-0900 UTC
Active Warning: Yes
NOAA Scale: G2 - Moderate
Additional Details Here.
ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 6
Threshold Reached: 2025 Nov 06 0809 UTC
Synoptic Period: 0600-0900 UTC
Active Warning: Yes
NOAA Scale: G2 - Moderate
Additional Details Here.
Peak activity of the Southern #Taurids meteor shower is this evening. You could see around 5 per hour from a dark location, although the Moon interferes this year. This shower is worth observing as it displays a higher proportion of brighter meteors and occasional fireballs. #Astronomy
November 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Peak activity of the Southern #Taurids meteor shower is this evening. You could see around 5 per hour from a dark location, although the Moon interferes this year. This shower is worth observing as it displays a higher proportion of brighter meteors and occasional fireballs. #Astronomy
The first scientific evidence of the Black Death in Edinburgh has been discovered on the remains of a teenage boy who died in the 14th Century. Plaque on the child's teeth has been found to contain pathogens of the bacteria for the Bubonic plague. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
First scientific evidence of Black Death in Edinburgh found on skeleton
Plaque on the teenager's teeth contains pathogens of the bacteria for the Bubonic plague.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 10:06 PM
The first scientific evidence of the Black Death in Edinburgh has been discovered on the remains of a teenage boy who died in the 14th Century. Plaque on the child's teeth has been found to contain pathogens of the bacteria for the Bubonic plague. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Steve Brown - astronomy and astrophotography
Whatever you're doing, STOP!! Take a moment to look at this stunning new vista sent back from Mars by the rover Curiosity. Here's your future Martian Yosemite... Images: Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/LANL/Additional processing S Atkinson
November 4, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Whatever you're doing, STOP!! Take a moment to look at this stunning new vista sent back from Mars by the rover Curiosity. Here's your future Martian Yosemite... Images: Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/LANL/Additional processing S Atkinson
Reposted by Steve Brown - astronomy and astrophotography
Here's a Milky Way shot from a Joshua Tree forest in Death Valley back in July. Already dreaming about next season! #Photography
November 4, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Here's a Milky Way shot from a Joshua Tree forest in Death Valley back in July. Already dreaming about next season! #Photography
When an Antarctic glacier was sparked into rapid retreat three years ago, it left scientists scratching their heads as to what might have caused it. Hektoria Glacier retreated by more than 8km (5 miles) in just two months in late 2022. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rapid Antarctic glacier retreat sparks scientific 'whodunnit'
A new study suggests that changes to Hektoria Glacier are unprecedented - but not all scientists agree.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 8:55 AM
When an Antarctic glacier was sparked into rapid retreat three years ago, it left scientists scratching their heads as to what might have caused it. Hektoria Glacier retreated by more than 8km (5 miles) in just two months in late 2022. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sarah Mathews: How to See 3I/ATLAS, Comet A6 Lemmon, R2 SWAN Update, Leonid Meteor Shower, Uranus Opposition - www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-4r... #Astronomy #Astrophotography
How to See 3I/ATLAS, Comet A6 Lemmon, R2 SWAN Update, Leonid Meteor Shower, Uranus Opposition
YouTube video by SarahMaths Astro
www.youtube.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Sarah Mathews: How to See 3I/ATLAS, Comet A6 Lemmon, R2 SWAN Update, Leonid Meteor Shower, Uranus Opposition - www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-4r... #Astronomy #Astrophotography
Reposted by Steve Brown - astronomy and astrophotography
Open Sesame!
The ELT doors have moved for the first time. This was no small feat, as each door will weigh 650 tonnes once completed.
The ELT dome & its doors will guard the telescope from the harsh conditions of the Atacama Desert.
https://www.eso.org/public/videos/potw2544a/
🔭 🧪
📹 ESO/ACe
The ELT doors have moved for the first time. This was no small feat, as each door will weigh 650 tonnes once completed.
The ELT dome & its doors will guard the telescope from the harsh conditions of the Atacama Desert.
https://www.eso.org/public/videos/potw2544a/
🔭 🧪
📹 ESO/ACe
November 3, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Open Sesame!
The ELT doors have moved for the first time. This was no small feat, as each door will weigh 650 tonnes once completed.
The ELT dome & its doors will guard the telescope from the harsh conditions of the Atacama Desert.
https://www.eso.org/public/videos/potw2544a/
🔭 🧪
📹 ESO/ACe
The ELT doors have moved for the first time. This was no small feat, as each door will weigh 650 tonnes once completed.
The ELT dome & its doors will guard the telescope from the harsh conditions of the Atacama Desert.
https://www.eso.org/public/videos/potw2544a/
🔭 🧪
📹 ESO/ACe
Try saying 'Biggest and brightest bonfire beaver' five times quickly 😄
Bonfire Night's Beaver supermoon to be biggest and brightest of 2025: www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti...
#Moon #Astronomy
Bonfire Night's Beaver supermoon to be biggest and brightest of 2025: www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti...
#Moon #Astronomy
November supermoon rising next week to be biggest full Moon of 2025
It will be visible on 5 November and Sarah Keith-Lucas explains why it will be the biggest and brightest full Moon of the year
www.bbc.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Try saying 'Biggest and brightest bonfire beaver' five times quickly 😄
Bonfire Night's Beaver supermoon to be biggest and brightest of 2025: www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti...
#Moon #Astronomy
Bonfire Night's Beaver supermoon to be biggest and brightest of 2025: www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti...
#Moon #Astronomy
Reposted by Steve Brown - astronomy and astrophotography
It's not the best image you are going to see of Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon), but I managed to catch it with my DSLR. 30 images stacked. 5 seconds/ISO 800/ F/3.5. A quick set up with the intervalometer, just after sunset. I'm quite pleased to have caught it!
#Astrophotography #Astronomy
#Astrophotography #Astronomy
November 2, 2025 at 8:06 PM
It's not the best image you are going to see of Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon), but I managed to catch it with my DSLR. 30 images stacked. 5 seconds/ISO 800/ F/3.5. A quick set up with the intervalometer, just after sunset. I'm quite pleased to have caught it!
#Astrophotography #Astronomy
#Astrophotography #Astronomy
A photographer says he feels "very lucky" to have captured Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) as it appeared over the Lancaster bomber sculpture in Norton Disney. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Lucky' photographer snaps Comet Lemmon over Lancaster sculpture
Photographer Steve Fearn captured the image over the World War Two sculpture in Norton Disney.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 8:34 AM
A photographer says he feels "very lucky" to have captured Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) as it appeared over the Lancaster bomber sculpture in Norton Disney. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Steve Brown - astronomy and astrophotography
Tried to catch the moons of Uranus the other night. Seeing was a bit wobbly but captured the 4 brightest.
Uranus is hugely over-exposed with more than a 1000-fold difference in brightness between it and the faintest moon.
First time I've tried with my 8"scope, but need more
🔭
Uranus is hugely over-exposed with more than a 1000-fold difference in brightness between it and the faintest moon.
First time I've tried with my 8"scope, but need more
🔭
November 1, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Tried to catch the moons of Uranus the other night. Seeing was a bit wobbly but captured the 4 brightest.
Uranus is hugely over-exposed with more than a 1000-fold difference in brightness between it and the faintest moon.
First time I've tried with my 8"scope, but need more
🔭
Uranus is hugely over-exposed with more than a 1000-fold difference in brightness between it and the faintest moon.
First time I've tried with my 8"scope, but need more
🔭
Egypt's Grand Museum opens, displaying Tutankhamun tomb in full for first time. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), described as the world's largest archaeological museum, is packed with some 100,000 artefacts. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Egypt's Grand Museum opens, displaying Tutankhamun tomb in full for first time
The launch of the billion-dollar site sees fresh calls for the return of antiquities held in museums overseas.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Egypt's Grand Museum opens, displaying Tutankhamun tomb in full for first time. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), described as the world's largest archaeological museum, is packed with some 100,000 artefacts. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Steve Brown - astronomy and astrophotography
Saturn taken on 29th Oct in average seeing.
It's largest moon Titan can be seen below the rings on the right side of the planet and is just about to disappear from view as it moves behind the disk.
The rings continue to close up, as seen from our viewpoint.
🔭
It's largest moon Titan can be seen below the rings on the right side of the planet and is just about to disappear from view as it moves behind the disk.
The rings continue to close up, as seen from our viewpoint.
🔭
November 1, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Saturn taken on 29th Oct in average seeing.
It's largest moon Titan can be seen below the rings on the right side of the planet and is just about to disappear from view as it moves behind the disk.
The rings continue to close up, as seen from our viewpoint.
🔭
It's largest moon Titan can be seen below the rings on the right side of the planet and is just about to disappear from view as it moves behind the disk.
The rings continue to close up, as seen from our viewpoint.
🔭