A Spark That Never Faded:
A personal reflection and this week’s evening sky guide

My fascination with the stars began about sixty years ago, when I was a young scout. One of my fellow scouts, Andrew James – known to everyone as “Jesse,” after the famous outlaw – was a true astronomer at heart. I still remember the awe I felt as he painstakingly hand-ground a lens for a reflector telescope, later sending it off to be mirrored. The precision and patience it required still amazes me today.

On clear nights at scout camp, we’d spread a groundsheet beneath the open sky and lie back, the world hushed around us. Jesse would point out constellations and planets, turning the night into a vast map of stories and light. It was my first real introduction to the universe, and it felt endless.

That sense of wonder never left me. Twenty-five years later, I found myself once again looking up at the stars – this time from the flight deck of a Tristar, crossing the Atlantic at night. A well-thumbed star guide lay open beside me, and the same quiet fascination I’d felt as a boy glowed just as brightly above the clouds.

Even now, each time I look through a telescope, I feel that same connection to the sky, to the stories it holds, and to the quiet joy of simply looking up.

Opening reflection by my dad – S J, owner of World of Telescopes

A Visitor from the Stars: 3I/ATLAS

Every so often, something extraordinary drifts into our cosmic neighbourhood. 3I/ATLAS is one such traveller – an icy body from another star system, passing briefly through ours before continuing its timeless journey across the galaxy. Detected by the ATLAS survey, it’s only the third confirmed visitor from beyond our Solar System.

Objects like 3I/ATLAS remind us how vast and interconnected the universe truly is. They offer a rare glimpse of material shaped around distant suns – an interstellar postcard from far beyond our familiar constellations.

While it isn’t something you’ll spot through a backyard telescope, its presence serves as a quiet reminder that our Solar System is part of a much wider and ever-changing cosmic story.

Objects of Interest for the Week (Central UK)

Here are a few celestial sights to enjoy in the evenings ahead.
 

1. Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6)

Comet Lemmon made its closest approach to Earth on 21 October 2025, at roughly 0.6 AU (about 89 million km). It’s now heading towards its perihelion on 8 November, when it will pass closest to the Sun.

It remains visible in the western sky after sunset, sitting below the bright star Arcturus in the constellation Boötes. Binoculars or a small telescope – such as the DWARF 3 Smart Telescope or the ZWO Seestar S50 – can help reveal its faint, greenish glow.
 

2. The Perseus Double Cluster (NGC 869 & NGC 884)

Rising in the north-east after sunset, these twin open clusters are among the most beautiful deep-sky sights visible through binoculars or a small scope. Each cluster contains hundreds of young, blue-white stars that shimmer together like cosmic jewels.
 

3. Arcturus

The brightest star in the northern sky, Arcturus shines warmly in the west after sunset. At about 37 light-years away, its orange glow marks the constellation Boötes and signals the shift from summer to autumn skies.
 

4. The Summer Triangle (Vega – Deneb – Altair)

Even as nights grow longer, this familiar asterism still dominates the eastern sky. Look for Vega high overhead, Deneb in the swan-shaped Cygnus, and Altair lower down in Aquila. Together they form a striking triangle that lingers well into autumn.
 

5. The Moon

Now in a waxing gibbous phase, the Moon offers excellent opportunities for lunar observing. Features like Tycho crater, Mare Tranquillitatis, and the terminator line (the edge between day and night on the surface) are particularly vivid through binoculars or a telescope.
 

6. The Orionids Meteor Activity

Although the Orionid meteor shower peaked last week, you may still catch the occasional bright streak across the eastern sky after midnight. These meteors originate from debris left by Halley’s Comet, burning up as they enter Earth’s atmosphere.

Viewing Tips

• Best time: Around 30–40 minutes after sunset, once the sky begins to darken.

• Equipment: Binoculars or a small telescope will greatly enhance your view of the comet, clusters, and lunar features.

• Location: Find a dark-sky spot away from city lights for clearer views. Rural areas or local nature reserves often work best.

• Patience: Let your eyes adjust to the dark for at least 10–15 minutes before observing faint objects.

Credits

Opening reflection by my dad; current-sky guide written and edited for World of Telescopes.

Image credit: Sotiris Savvides / Unsplash