The easiest and best constellations to see in the winter night sky
Our pick of the best winter constellations in the northern hemisphere, and what deep-sky objects can be found if you look a little closer.
This moss just survived months in space. Here's why it could one day help humans live on Mars
If Pluto has a liquid ocean, it's one of the best places to search for life beyond Earth
NASA's Mars spacecraft has got us a step closer to discovering what comet 3I/ATLAS is really made of
ESA Proba-3 mission first images
Finally! Webb has discovered water ice around a nearby star just like our own Solar System
Oxygen on Earth is running out. Here’s what that means for us
Earth’s oxygen-rich atmosphere is not a permanent feature, and its loss will mark the end of complex life on our planet," says Kazumi Ozaki, Assistant Professor at Toho University
Venus is more like Earth than we thought. Archive NASA data allows scientists to peer beneath the surface
"A new worst case scenario." Biggest solar storm ever recorded hit our planet in 12,350 BC at the end of the Ice Age
Europa Clipper image of Mars
BBC Sky at Night Magazine virtual events
The Art of Solar Imaging
Our expert talks will show you how to work with the Sun’s intense light in safety and capture the effects of solar maximum
Masterclass: Aurora
The science of the aurora, how to plan and predict the aurora and capture a display using smartphones and DSLR cameras
Masterclass: Sunspots
What sunspots are, what kit you can get on a budget to safely observe and image their movement across the Sun
Masterclass: Sun's interior
The kit needed to photograph the Sun's dynamic features and how to process your solar images to make them even better
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
Light pollution from towns and cities makes viewing the night sky a tricky business. But there are things you can do to help.
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 came before the Big Bang? These are the best theories we have about the origin of the cosmos
We explore the theories about one of the most mind-boggling questions about the Universe.
Does the Moon look orange tonight? No, you're not seeing things! This is what causes it
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.
10 of the best wi-fi and smartphone telescopes in 2025
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.
Just in time for Black Friday, we got the chance to try out the new Vaonis Vespera Pro smart telescope
Sightron Infini D50 beginner telescope reviewed
Unistellar Envision smart binoculars
The StellaMira 86mm ED is a dedicated astrophoto telescope. We tested it out on galaxies and star clusters
Pin-sharp stars, rock-solid build and easy imaging – we’re impressed
ZWO ASI585MM Pro cooled mono camera
Pegasus Astro NYX-88 mount
This sturdy yet light mount delivers near-flawless, reliable, on-the-button accuracy
Podcasts
Radio Astronomy Podcast | Detecting spacetime ripples of black holes
Astronomers have detected evidence of gravitational waves from supermassive black holes at the centres of merging galaxies.
Podcast: The search for Earth 2.0
Astronomer Chris Impey discusses the search for habitable worlds beyond our Solar System.
Podcast | Lance Bass
We speak with Lance Bass - former member of boyband N'Sync - about his experience training as a cosmonaut and his new podcast The Last Soviet.
Astrophotography
The world's biggest astrophotography competition is open for entries, with a top price of £10,000 up for grabs
Wolf Moon dwarfs the International Space Station in amazing image captured by photographer
Want to photograph the Moon with your smartphone camera, but can't quite manage it? Here's how to do it
Tips and tricks to help you succeed in lunar astrophotography using a smartphone.
Want to see the full Moon or supermoon tonight? Here are 6 ways to really enjoy its spectacle
How to make the most of and enjoy a full Moon or supermoon.
These are some of the best images of the cosmos we've seen this year. Top astrophotography captures of 2025
A photographer has captured a Christmas tree-shaped star cluster from his back garden. Here's how he did it
Astrophotography galleries
Gallery | Crescent Moon
A crescent Moon is a spectacular sight. Here are some of the top features to see on a waxing and waning crescent.
Eye On The Sky | 6 beautiful galaxy collisions seen by the Hubble Space Telescope
The study of galaxy collisions using the Hubble Space Telescope is revealing the secrets of star formation and galactic evolution.
Gallery | Harvest Moon
What is a Harvest Moon, and and are they really worth the hype?
Gallery | Venus
Facts about Venus and images of the hellish planet captured by astrophotographers.
Voyager's best images of the Solar System
Forty years ago, the twin Voyager spacecraft launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida, sending back beautiful images of our Solar System, the like of which had never been seen before.
Lunar eclipses explained
What is a lunar eclipse and why do they happen? Discover the science of lunar eclipses and view amazing pictures of the rusty-red 'blood Moon'.
Spaceflight
Watch the live return of NASA astronauts from the Space Station, following medical emergency
Watch NASA's livestream, from undocking to splashdown
How long does it take to get to the Moon?
How long would it take to drive or walk to the Moon, and how long do actual missions take?
Why can't Artemis II just launch right away? This is what it takes to get astronauts to the Moon and back
How NASA decides the launch dates for the Artemis II mission to the Moon
NASA releases all launch dates for Artemis II. This is how soon we could be going back to the Moon
NASA' Artemis II mission to send astronauts round the Moon and back could launch as early as 6 February 2026, the space agency has said. Failing that, there are multiple further dates allocated for Artemis II. The mission will see a crewed spacecraft return to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo era. More on Artemis While no astronauts will be setting foot on the Moon this time – we have to wait for Artemis III for that –the mission marks a pivotal moment in the programme and future plans to put a permanent human settlement on the
From lunar blackout to engine failure... 8 things to know about NASA's return to the Moon next month
What you need to know about NASA's Artemis II mission.
NASA astronauts will return from Space Station this Wednesday, following 'serious medical condition'
Medical condition causes four-person crew to return to Earth ahead of schedule
We may be able to turn Mars green. Here's how science says we'll make the Red Planet habitable
If there is life on Mars, this upcoming rover could be the first to find it. Here's why
DIY Astronomy
Make a Moon phase calculator and calendar
Make a mechanical instrument that calculates and displays the phase of the Moon for any chosen day of the year.
How to build a rolling telescope dolly
Complete our astronomy DIY project to wheel your telescope setup in and out of storage without delay.
Can't see the aurora? You can detect it with a homemade magnetometer
Follow our guide to create your own record of space weather and produce an audio recording of it. Written by Stuart Green