The David Le Conte Astronomical Observatory hopes to inspire more people to set their sights on the sky, with a number of stargazing challenges posed this week.

On Saturday, you could’ve spotted the crescent Moon with Venus and Saturn in the southwest sky, whilst on Sunday, you could have found Orion and its red supergiant star Betelgeuse both visible. They are 700 light-years away and it’s nearing supernova. 

Wednesday (5th February) will see challenge three focus on the First Quarter Moon and its ‘seas’ (mare), including Mare Tranquillitatis where Apollo 11 landed.

“Jupiter is the largest planet in our Solar System. If we could squash together all the other planets, moons and asteroids in the Solar System, Jupiter would still be 2 ½ times bigger.” – David Le Conte Astronomical Observatory spokesperson.

On Thursday (6th) you could see Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, along with its Galilean moons, which can be seen with binoculars.

Finally, when we reach Sunday again, (9th), you’ll be able to spot Mars.

If you do spot any of the sights suggested, email your pictures to editor@bailiwickexpress.com.

“We do know Mars was once a water world, not dissimilar to Earth. Unfortunately, it lost its oceans to space about 3 billion years ago, becoming a frozen, dusty desert-like environment.” – David Le Conte Astronomical Observatory spokesperson.

The three challenges remaining this week are:

– Feb 5: Observe the First Quarter Moon and its ‘seas’ (mare), like Mare Tranquillitatis;

– Feb 6: Locate the Moon and Jupiter, and try to spot Jupiter’s Galilean moons with binoculars; and

– Feb 9: See the near-full Moon and the red planet Mars in the east.