BBC Sky at Night Magazine Observing Masterclass: The planets, from points of light to detailed discs with Will Gater
About
Planet Earth is not alone in the Solar System: we share our home star, the Sun, with the seven other worlds that also orbit it. But how do you get started exploring the wonders these worlds have to offer?
In this talk, astronomer and author Will Gater will shine a light on how to identify planets in the night sky and how binoculars and telescopes can bring more details into view on these far-off worlds.
PLUS we’ll also be investigating the rare and not-to-be-missed planetary event taking place just a week after this talk on 8 December, when the full Moon will appear to pass in front of Mars, the Red Planet, and block it from view, in an event known as a lunar occultation.
To buy a copy of Will's book, Stargazing for Beginners, click here: https://bit.ly/3QsVozM
In the second part of the Masterclass there is a Q&A with Will Gater and Editor Chris Bramley.
All registrants will have access to the Masterclass recording once the event has ended and will be able to watch this recording for a maximum of 10 times. Registrants will also receive a downloadable PDF handout to accompany the Masterclass.
When
Thursday, 01/12/2022 · 7:00 p.m.
London (GMT +0:00)
Agenda
The naked-eye planets and how to find and identify them
Elongations and oppositions: the key planetary observing terms to know
What you can expect to see through binoculars, and small and medium-aperture telescopes
Studying the globes of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn
Observing the more challenging ice giants
Dates for your diary: the best times to see each planet this winter
The Moon meets Mars: December’s rare lunar occultation of the Red Planet
Live Q&A with Will Gater and Chris Bramley
Presenters
Will Gater
Will Gater is an astronomer, author and presenter with a lifelong love of observing the night sky. He has toured the UK with a live theatre show about the Solar System, and has written many popular books on astronomy and stargazing.
Chris Bramley
Chris Bramley is the Editor of BBC Sky at Night Magazine. A journalist by training, he has been covering space and astronomy since 2005 and has headed up the magazine's editorial team since 2011.