The Vera C Rubin Observatory is set to be a game-changer in our understanding of key ideas such as the expansion of the Universe and the distribution of matter in distant galaxies. But how will it do all this? We spoke to astronomer Dani Leonard, who is working with the Rubin Observatory, to find out.

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The best things to see in the night sky this month, including Venus and Jupiter’s close approach, Uranus’s meeting with the Pleiades, Saturn and Neptune’s nightly tango and the low-down full Moon.

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Astronomer Alis Deason reveals new research that shows how likely it is the Milky Way will collide with the Andromeda Galaxy. She discusses why galaxy mergers happen and, if our galaxy did collide with its neighbour, which would come out on top.

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Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel reveal how to observe Saturn, Venus and the rest of the planets, the Moon's meeting with the Pleiades and Antares, the Southern Aquarid meteor shower and the best deep-sky objects.

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Astronomer Hidde Jense has seen cosmic light from just after the Big Bang. He reveals what it tells us.

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Find out how to see bright planet Venus in the early morning before sunrise, and track the Red Planet Mars as it passes near Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo.

Our new monthly version of Star Diary is hosted by Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel.

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The search is on for life beyond Earth. Astrobiologist Penny Boston reveals what life on our own planet can tell us about extra-terrestrial life among the stars.

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Meteor showers are always a great excuse to get out and do some stargazing.  Find out how to see them Eta Aquarids in the latest episode of Star Diary, the podcast from the makers of Sky at Night Magazine.

Transcript

Learn to observe our nearest star, the Sun, in our upcoming online masterclass series

Subscribe to BBC Sky at Night Magazine and submit your astrophotography images over on our website: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com

[email protected]

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Meteor showers are always a great excuse to get out and do some stargazing.  Find out how to see them Eta Aquarids in the latest episode of Star Diary, the podcast from the makers of Sky at Night Magazine.

Transcript

Learn to observe our nearest star, the Sun, in our upcoming online masterclass series

Subscribe to BBC Sky at Night Magazine and submit your astrophotography images over on our website: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com

[email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Red Planet passes through the star strewn field of the Beehive Cluster. Find out how to see them in the latest episode of Star Diary, the podcast from the makers of Sky at Night Magazine.

Transcript

Learn to observe our nearest star, the Sun, in our upcoming online masterclass series

Subscribe to BBC Sky at Night Magazine and submit your astrophotography images over on our website: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com

[email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices