Stargazing SA

04/06/2026

The Sun has been very active over the past 12-18 hours. Late yesterday an X-class flare erupted from sunspot 4455 as seen in this satellite image of 3 June 2026. This was followed by a series of near X-class flares. As a result, modelling suggests that Earth may experience strong to severe geomagnetic storms over the next day or two, along with the possibility of mid-latitude auroral displays. Stay tuned for more info as the situation develops...

03/06/2026

31/05/2026

💫 The spectacular Venus-Jupiter conjunction peaks on 9 June 2026 and is easily observable in the evenings leading up to and after the peak.

👁️ Simply go outside and look towards the northwest between 6:30pm and 7:30pm in early June 2026 to spot brilliant Venus and Jupiter -- the two brightest planets in our sky -- draw closer each day. No special equipment is required to enjoy this rare and spectacular celestial event. Simply look up and hope for clear skies. And be sure to share this special experience with family and friends.

The attached graphics provide a simulated daily view of the position of the two planets as seen from South Australia. The two planets will appear only 1.6° apart at their closest on 9 June 2026.

☀️ Clear skies!

30/05/2026

Look east soon after sunset on the evening of Sunday 31 May 2026. There you will find the magnificent sight of a Full “Blue” Moon rising alongside the bright red-orange star Antares.

A Blue Moon is the term given to the second Full Moon in a month, a reasonably rare event that occurs once every 2.5 years (approximately). The term “Blue Moon” was first used in this calendrical context in 1988. Whereas the common saying “Once in a Blue Moon” has been in use in folklore for hundreds of years!

Despite the colourful name the calendrical Blue Moon does not actually turn blue, although the Moon can take on a blue tint during certain conditions (bushfire smoke, dust storms).

Over the course of a few minutes, and throughout the night, the Moon’s motion relative to reddish Antares will become very apparent as the separation between the two celestial bodies slowly increases. Use binoculars or a telescope if available for a closer view. Can you spot the red colour of Antares?

Good luck!

28/05/2026

Looking deep into the core of The Milky Way we find "The Snake Nebula" (aka Barnard 72), a dark nebula silhouetted against a background of millions of stars in the constellation Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer. An appropriate home for this celestial serpent.

Another dark nebula known as Barnard 68 can be seen in the top left of the image. Both nebulae are nearby molecular clouds between 400 and 700 light years distant, and so dense in dust and gas that they obscure the light of background stars.

Furthermore, the well-defined edges of Barnard 68 indicate that it may be on the verge of gravitational collapse to become a star in 200,000+ years.

This image (8x60sec) was taken from the River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve using a 190mm Sky-Watcher Maksutov-Newtonian telescope on a SW AZ-EQ6 mount, and a ZWO ASI533 MC Pro astro-camera. The imaging rig was equipped with a ZWO ASIAir and controlled wirelessly with an iPad while the operator tried to stay warm inside a nearby car. It was seriously cold that night!

Imaging rig details: skymaps.com/ir2/


Sky-Watcher Australia

27/05/2026

RELEASED: June 2026 Edition of The Evening Sky Map (PDF).

One of the best and easiest ways to explore the night sky is with The Evening Sky Map -- a FREE printable all-sky map & celestial calendar created in South Australia by Dr Kym Thalassoudis, Chief Stargazer at Stargazing SA.

The Evening Sky Map is available in separate editions for the northern and southern hemispheres and equatorial regions.
Download the Southern Hemisphere edition (PDF) at: skymaps.com/tesm/

Start by reading the instructions along the perimeter of the map. Then using the star map and just your eyes, look up to find a bright star, planet, or star pattern in the night sky. Use a pair of binoculars to see fainter stars and other celestial objects that may be hidden in the light pollution.

You will soon find yourself hopping from star-to-star as you discover the constellations and various celestial objects for yourself!

Stargazing is fun and easy. Anyone can do it. Simply Look Up, Explore, and Discover the Universe you live in!

Want to learn more? The 5th edition of Nightwatch (2023) by Terence Dickinson is the most highly recommended book for new stargazers. More books for newcomers are listed at: skymaps.com/learn/

25/05/2026

Stargazing SA will be supporting this event with informative presentations & stargazing experiences using powerful telescopes at Swan Reach in the River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve. Full details including how to book your tickets will soon be released.

The longest night of the year is officially our biggest night of winter conservation.

Mark your calendars: On Saturday 20 June, From the Ground to the Stars – A Winter Solstice Celebration is coming to Swan Reach! 4.30 PM to 9.00 PM.

Winter in the River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve brings some of the crispest, darkest skies in the world—but true nocturnal conservation starts right here on the ground. This Solstice, Mid Murray Landcare SA and the River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve are joining forces to bring you a fully weather-proofed "Skycare Expo" at the Swan Reach Area School.

Whether the winter skies are crystal clear or completely clouded over, our program is 100% locked in to deliver massive educational value.

This is a completely FREE, family-friendly community pilot event designed to foster local connection, support regional wellbeing, and link land management directly with the preservation of our pristine 3,200 square kilometre Dark Sky Reserve. We are incredibly proud to bring this event to life with the support of Mid Murray Our Town.

Official Humanitix registrations and our full partner lineup go live next Monday, 1 June.

👇 Are you planning a winter road trip to the reserve, or are you a proud Murraylands local? Let us know in the comments below if we’ll see you there!

25/05/2026

Check out these fantastic images captured within the River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve, including one of ours — the stunning aurora from 20 January this year.

23/05/2026

Here's a mini stargazing activity you can do tonight (Saturday, 23 May 2026). No need for any special equipment. Simply step out side anytime this evening and look north to see the Quarter Moon shining brightly in the sky.

Look carefully near the Moon to find the star Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo (The Lion). Now look again an hour or two later. What do you notice? (Hopefully not clouds ☹️).

Over the course of the evening the gradual motion of the Moon across the sky will become apparent as the distance between it and Regulus will slowly but surely increase. The Moon is on a mission in its orbit around Earth, and is not stopping for anyone including Regulus, aka "The Little King".

Wishing you clear skies.