Stargazing in Perth

After a stunning ocean sunset, stick around to see Jupiter! It’s the brightest star-like object visible above the western horizon in the early evening in January.

When it gets darker, turn your gaze to the east. The constellation of Orion and Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, are high above the horizon.

Travel to the outer regions of Destination Perth for the Milky Way season! The Milky Way rises from the south east before stretching high across the night sky by mid year. In the heart of the Milky Way try to find the “Emu in the Sky”. This special Aboriginal constellation is made up of the dark areas of the night sky. May is also a great time for a dark sky to count “shooting stars”!

See the Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower in early May. Look to the east. A meteor or “shooting star” can be as small as a grain of sand. It burns up upon entering the Earth’s atmosphere causing a bright streak of light to appear in our night sky.

By September, the Milky Way is pointing down to the south west before it can be seen setting on the western horizon in October.

Watch out for satellites that look like dim stars moving slowly and steadily across the sky. The best time is the hour or two after sunset. On a moonless dark night, see if you can find two fuzzy clouds above the southern horizon.

You’ve just spotted the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds, two galaxies in our neighbourhood and only visible in the Southern Hemisphere.