GALLERY: 6th annual Star Gazing

The Kloofendal Nature Reserve reopened with a planet walk and the sixth annual stargazing evening on 20 June.

Many astronomy enthusiasts, stargazers and spectators attended the opening to view some great star spectacles.

Viewers could see Saturn, Jupiter, star clusters, and the craters on the moon.The planet walk is meant to be an educational tool with each of the planets being in proportion to one another.

The Kloofendal Nature Reserve offered environmental educational activities, as well as hiking and a nature walk.

The timing for the event was extra special as the Moon, Venus and Jupiter were all in line.

This does not happen very often and the next time it will be visible is 18 July. “It is an amazing sight to see as we were perfectly in line with the planets and our moon,” said West Rand Astronomy Club member Kenny Nevill.

Venus was at its brightest where you could see the first quarter of the planet, explained Nevill.

The groups of spectators were able to use any of the 17 telescopes available.

Saturn was also one of the major highlights to see as, “Saturn is in opposition because it is at its closest point to Earth …The ring was also visible at its widest angle,” added Nevill. Also the cold weather and the lack of light pollution from the city made it a perfect evening for stargazing.