Throughout January and February, you will be able to see a number of planets with the naked eye, with a rare 7 planet alignment coming on 28th February. Though you should be able to see this phenomenon all over the UK if the skies are clear, the best place to see the wonders of the night sky is Exmoor National Park, which is a UK Dark Skies Reserve.

Exmoor was designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve in 2011, the first of its kind in Europe. The National Park has some of the darkest skies in the country due to the lack of light pollution, which makes it the perfect place for star – on in this case – planet gazing.

From now through to the end of February, you will be able to see 6 planets, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune in alignment. Venus, Jupiter and Saturn are easily visible to the naked eye, showing as bright white lights. Mars is also visible with the naked eye, showing as an orange dot. Uranus and Neptune are there too, but you’ll need a telescope to see those – so going somewhere with clear, dark skies will give you the best chance to see them. You can even hire telescopes from all the National Park Centres, which you are then welcome to take out onto Exmoor with you.  On 28th February, there will be a rare planetary alignment, when Mercury also joins the others, it’s something you won’t be able to see again until 2040.

Fancy seeing the rare planetary alignment? Here are some tips to make the most of your stargazing trip to Exmor.

 

When to go

Stargazing on Exmoor is an all year round activity, with the Dark Skies Festival taking place in the autumn for anyone who wants to join organised activities. Any clear night will provide plenty to see, so make sure to check the weather forecast before you head out to make sure you won’t be scuppered by any clouds.

If you plan to stargaze at other times of the year, March and April are good months for families, as you’ll see plenty before it gets too late. Late summer and early autumn are also good times for heading out as you’ll likely see shooting stars at this time of year.

Before you go

Before you head out, make sure to check the weather forecast and check the time of the sunset. You should aim to start stargazing at least an hour and a half later to allow the sky to become dark enough.

You should also check what the moon is doing, as the best time to see the stars is when the moon isn’t visible.

What to do while you’re there

Once you’ve done the above and reached your stargazing spot, here’s what you need to do to have the best experience.

  • Adjust your eyes – it’s better to get familiar with the night sky using just your eyes to start with. If you want to use binoculars or telescopes, do your research first. If you hire a telescope from the team at the Visitor Centres, they will be able to advise you.  
  • Get a red torch – your eyes can take up to 10 minutes to adjust to the dark and you don’t want to have to start that process every time you look at a bright light. Instead use a red light, as this is much better at preserving your night vision.
  • Get a star chart – star charts are a great way to help you orientate yourself and help you identify what you are looking at. Depending on the time of year, these will change, so getting an app on your phone is a great way to keep updated.
  • Wear appropriate clothes – no matter what time of year it is, it can get chilly on Exmoor, especially at night while you’re out in the open so make sure to wrap up warm. Areas of the moor can also be unsteady under foot due to the wild nature of the area, so wear suitable shoes.
  • Bring refreshments – especially hot drinks and snacks to keep you going.