Steve Richards
Astronomer and author
Steve Richards is a DIY astronomy expert and author of Making Every Photon Count: A Beginner’s Guide to Deep Sky Astrophotography.
Recent articles by Steve Richards
Don't fog up! How to remove moisture from your astrophotography camera sealed sensor
How to recharge the sealed sensor chamber inside your astro camera.
Bresser ISA Space Exploration NASA 70/700 AZ telescope
Does this affordable, beginners' refractor really cut the mustard?
Image processing | Use PixInsight to enhance a galaxy's brightness
Separate stars from deep-sky objects in your astrophotos using the PixInsight software.
11 spectacular winter astronomy targets
Our pick of the best deep-sky objects and naked-eye sights to see during winter months.
Celestron Inspire 100AZ refractor a great option for beginners and kids
The Celestron Inspire 100AZ is a beginner’s scope with an ingenious adaptor for astrophotography.
Airy disks explained
What is an airy disk, and how are they used to identify problems with a telescope?
Astronomy FAQs | What is eyepiece projection and how do I do it?
BBC Sky at Night Magazine's Scope Doctor Steve Richards solves your practical astronomy ailments.
How to calculate and alter a telescope's magnification
A quick guide to magnification and how to alter it by changing your eyepiece.
Eye relief explained
What is the eye relief of an optical instrument like a telescope?
Erecting prisms for telescopes explained
What is an erecting prism and what are they used for in practical astronomy?
What are RGB filters used for?
Why red, green and blue filters are used in photography.
Focal length explained
Confused by telescope focal lengths? Find out what focal length means and the difference between long and short.
Sky-Watcher Heritage 150P Virtuoso GTi Wi-Fi Dobsonian review
Fun to use. Beginners and youngsters will appreciate its compact size, easy set-up and smartphone control.
Sky-Watcher Explorer 130P AZ GO-2 review
A smartphone-controlled, beginner-friendly reflector boasting excellent views.
The best off-axis guiders for astrophotography
Find out what an off-axis guider is used for and some of the best models available to buy.
Astronomy FAQs | What is a Bahtinov mask?
What Bahtinov masks are used for, and where to buy one online.
Best telescopes for viewing double stars
Discover the best telescopes for splitting tight doubles and resolving stellar pairs.
An astronomer's guide to light pollution
What light pollution means for astronomers and steps you can take to tackle artificial light in your area.
Star-Hop Maker astronomy software review
Star-Hop Maker is suitable for all levels of experience, from beginners to seasoned observers.
A guide to star diagonals
Find out what star diagonals are used for and the best models available.
Astronomy explained | Finderscopes
A finderscope is a simple but invaluable accessory that attaches to your telescope. Find out what they are, how to set one up, and whether they are still useful.
Astronomy FAQs | What is a Barlow lens?
A guide to Barlow lenses, what they're used for and our pick of the best.
DIY Astronomy | Make a counterbalance system
Construct a home-built unit that will improve the tracking accuracy of your mount
Observing guide | Caldwell Catalogue: an astronomy tour of the night sky.
Take our deep-sky observing tour of the northern hemisphere using 15 objects from Patrick Moore's Caldwell Catalogue.