See a crescent Moon meet Jupiter and the beautiful blue Pleiades star cluster this week
The waxing crescent Moon creates a stunning scene with Jupiter, the Pleiades and Hyades open clusters this week.
5 bright comets to look out for in 2024
There are several bright comets in the sky this year, but will any of them become a naked-eye showstopper?
9 mind-blowing facts about the Universe
The Universe is a mind-boggling place. Here are 9 of the most astounding space discoveries of recent times.
Comet 12P/Pons–Brooks could reach naked-eye territory in March
Comet 12P/Pons–Brooks could approach naked-eye in March, as it tracks from Andromeda to Pisces.
See Comet C/2021 S3 PanSTARRS pass through the Coathanger Cluster this month
The comet's incursion into Vulpecula will see it encounter Brocchi’s Cluster or the Coathanger Cluster.
Photograph shows Odysseus lander with broken leg on the Moon
Intuitive Machine's lunar lander Odysseus broke its leg during its landing on the Moon. A photograph has been released showing the aftermath.
Can a black hole die?
We can predict the fate of black holes by understanding a process called Hawking Radiation.
Astronomy explained | What is a nebula?
Majestic and mysterious, nebulae are some of the most beautiful deep-sky objects to be found in the night’s sky. But what are these space clouds? And how are they created?
What is the temperature of space?
A guide to cosmic thermodynamics and the extreme temperatures of the Universe.
Go-To telescope mounts for beginners
What Go-To mounts are, how to set them up, pros and cons and how to use them to observe the night sky.
BBC Sky at Night Magazine virtual events
Imaging the Planets Masterclass Series
Our spring 2024 series lifts the lid on photographing the planets, with three of the best planetary imagers in the game.
Save 20% when you buy all three as a series booking
Masterclass: The planets in their prime
Join our Masterclass with Pete Lawrence, expert astro imager and presenter on BBC Four’s The Sky at Night at 7pm on 25 April 2024.
Save 20% when you buy all three as a series booking
Masterclass: Capturing Jupiter on camera
Join our online spring Masterclass with Damian Peach, world-renowned astrophotographer and lecturer at 7pm on 23 May 2024.
Save 20% when you buy all three as a series booking
Masterclass: 10 ways to improve your imaging
Join our online spring Masterclass with award-winning planetary imager Martin Lewis at 7pm on 13 June 2024.
Save 20% when you buy all three as a series booking
New to astronomy?
Our simple guides will help you make the most of your time under the stars
14 things new stargazers should know
New to astronomy? Here are some things you'll notice in the night sky as you spend your first year stargazing.
How to become a better astronomer
You've spent many hours observing the night sky. So how can you improve and be more productive at the telescope eyepiece?
How to stargaze from a city
It is possible to observe beautiful night-sky objects, even from towns and cities.
How to star-hop the night sky
Stuck trying to find stars? Star-hopping is a tried and tested technique that will help you to navigate the sky.
Astronomy advice
Answers to some of the most commonly-asked cosmic questions
Why did it take so long for astronomers to discover Uranus?
Why was Uranus not known to ancient astronomers?
How many stars can a person see in the night sky?
When we look up at the night sky, how many stars can we see, and what magnitude can the human eye see unaided?
What was there before the Big Bang?
We explore the theories about one of the most mind-boggling questions about the Universe.
Why the Moon sometimes looks orange
What causes the Moon to appear a red, rusty colour?
Buyers' guides
Our pick of the best astronomy equipment
Best telescope mounts
On the hunt for a new telescope mount, or picking one to go with your first telescope? Read our guide to the best mounts, both budget models and high-end.
Best binoculars for astronomy
Binoculars are a great way of getting into astronomy and stargazing.
Buyer's guide | Best astro imaging cameras
Which cameras are best for astrophotography and what type should you buy? We'll guide you through the different types and the best cameras on the market.
Best beginners' telescopes
Looking to buy your first telescope but don't know where to start? We've picked out some of the best beginner telescopes on the market.
8 of the best wi-fi and smartphone telescopes
Our pick of the best telescopes operated via a smartphone or tablet.
Best telescopes for kids
Buying a telescope for children can be a tricky task. We've tested some of the best telescopes for kids and young people getting started in astronomy.
Astronomy equipment reviews
The latest telescopes, cameras, binoculars, mounts and accessories tried and tested.
Bresser ISA Space Exploration NASA 70/700 AZ telescope
Does this affordable, beginners' refractor really cut the mustard?
This Ursa Major 6-inch Dobsonian is touted as a planetary telescope for beginners. We put it to the test.
A decent option for would-be planetary observers on a limited budget
First Light Optics Remote Observatory tried and tested
For a monthly fee, capture your astro images under immaculate dark skies
Review of the William Optics RedCat 61WIFD Petzval apo refractor, a great astrophotography telescope
An impressive astrograph that would make a fine addition to anyone’s imaging setup.
Is the Dwarflab Dwarf II smart telescope any good? We put it to the test
This little dual-camera system makes astro imaging a piece of cake for novices
Atik Apx26 mono camera review
The Apx26 is a professional astronomy camera and would make a very solid investment in the world of 16-bit CMOS astrophotography.
Podcasts
Star Diary | 24 to 30 July, 2023
Keep an eye out for the three innermost planets Mercury, Venus and Mars just after sunset in this week’s stargazing guide.
Star Diary | 17 to 23 July, 2023
Venus's changing phases and Pluto at opposition are the highlights of this week's stargazing guide.
Star Diary | 10 to 16 July, 2023
The Pleiades return to the morning sky, while the Moon pairs up with Jupiter in this week’s stargazing guide.
Astrophotography
How to produce your own space images using James Webb Space Telescope data
Access the Webb Telescope's RAW data and edit it using image processing to produce your own astrophotos.
Are you going to photograph the April 8 solar eclipse? NASA needs your help making an Eclipse Megamovie
Volunteers have until 18 March to sign up to NASA's citizen science project.
How to do astrophotography and photograph the night sky with your smartphone
You can use your iPhone, Android or other smartphone to take pictures of stars and other astronomical phenomena. In this guide we'll show you how.
Gallery | Triangulum Galaxy
Images of and facts about the iconic Triangulum Galaxy, M33.
Unistellar launches first mirror telescope that needs no manual adjustment
Unistellar has launched its Odyssey range of smart, Wi-Fi operated telescopes.
Dark frames? Master them with our step-by-step guide and become an astrophotography expert
How to add dark frames to cut down noise in your DSLR deep-sky images
Astrophotography galleries
Gallery | Full Moon
Some will tell you a full Moon is the worst time to observe our lunar neighbour, but there's still plenty to see when the Moon is fully illuminated.
Gallery | Whirlpool Galaxy
The iconic Whirlpool Galaxy is a favourite deep-sky target for astronomers and astrophotographers alike.
Gallery | Planes in front of the Sun and Moon
A gallery of images of planes passing in front of the solar or lunar disc.
Gallery | Apollo photos of Earth from space
Restored images of Earth captured during the Apollo missions cast new light on the fragility of our planet.
Gallery | Cassiopeia
A guide to the constellation Cassiopeia, and how to see some of its best stars.
Gallery | Solar eclipses
What is a solar eclipse and how do you view one safely? Find out about the celestial mechanics behind these spectacular astronomical events.
Spaceflight
Why we need more women in the space sector
Equality for women will make a stronger space sector, says Gabriella Goddard of the Space Leadership Academy.
James Webb Space Telescope | See the latest images
See the latest full colour images to be released by the JWST.
NASA lunar orbiter has photographed the Odysseus lander on the surface of the Moon
An image of the Odysseus lander on the surface of the Moon has been captured by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.
NASA Moon landing: Odysseus spacecraft tipped on its side during landing
Intuitive Machines' Odysseus achieves first US soft landing on the Moon since Apollo missions.
ERS-2 satellite breaks up as it enters Earth's atmosphere over Pacific Ocean
Where ERS-2 will break up, and when, and what its lasting legacy will be.
NASA is about to put a radio telescope on the Moon
Could a new era of telescopes and observatories on the Moon be about to begin?
Watch live as NASA lands radio telescope and instruments on the Moon
Watch the live launch of a mission that could be the beginning of a new era of astronomy on the Moon.
Fancy a lunar stroll? This is how long it would take to walk around the Moon
It may not be long before space tourism is here. Assuming lunar walking tours become popular, how long would it take to walk around the Moon?
DIY Astronomy
How to make a solar projection screen for safe observing the Sun or solar eclipse
Safely record features moving across the face of the Sun with this simple device.
Build a solar projector to safely observe the Sun or solar eclipse
Project an image of the Sun for safe observing with this step-by-step DIY astronomy build.
The best, safest ways to view a solar eclipse, from beginners to experienced observers
What are the best and safest ways to view an eclipse?