John Simpson uncovers the truth behind a centuries-old myth, while Venus is the subject of a milestone paper by Richard McKim. Also: a lunar impact caught in the act, Hydra’s deep sky delights and saving the night sky.

From a violent outburst to a cosmic vanishing act, this Journal celebrates recent amateur discoveries. Achievements of early BAA member Alice Cook are to be found alongside present-day research of the Jupiter Section, while for aspiring discoverers, David Arditti explains how to set up a telescope.

Here is another of Martin Mobberley’s superb biographies of early BAA members, as well as Paul Abel’s 14th Absolute Beginners tutorial, and some thoughts by David Arditti on the best telescope for an adult beginner.

Richard McKim reports on the 2012 solar transit of Venus, just in case you cannot wait until the next one in 2117! Also we have the 2nd part of Mike Foulkes’ report on observations of Saturn in 2008/2009, and the Director of the new Equipment & Techniques Section answers an often vital question, ‘What telescope should I give a child?’

Section Director David Arditti introduces the new Equipment & Techniques Section, and reports from the Mars, Saturn and Comet Sections highlight the planetary observing skills of BAA members.

Define the size of an asteroid with amateur observations, travel back in time to the BAA in the 1970s, and find your way around the spectacular dark nebulae of the summer sky: plenty for all in this Journal

Here is Jeremy Shears’ second Presidential Address, and a description by our Jupiter Section Director John Rogers of the remarkable patterns of cyclones discovered at Jupiter’s poles by the Juno spacecraft in orbit around the planet

Here is another of Martin Mobberley’s inimitable biographies of one of the more eccentric personalities from the BAA’s past. And the truth about the British Empire Medal awarded to one of our former Presidents, Howard Miles – a truth he kept secret for all of his long life

Don’t miss Tim Haymes & Alex Pratt’s report on the recent occultation by Triton, seen from the UK by at least 11 observers, and from elsewhere on the track by many more. Jon Shanklin fills us in on the prospects for next year’s comets, and Peter Birtwhistle imaged the so-called ‘interstellar asteroid’ A/2017 U1 from his home observatory at magnitude 22…

Here is part II of John Rogers’ seminal study of Jupiter’s South Equatorial Belt cycle in 2009-2011. We also show some amazing images by BAA members from the 2017 August 21 total solar eclipse, and Paul Abel’s ‘Absolute Beginners’ tutorial no. 11: ‘Astronomical Seeing’