Stargazing | What to see in the night sky this month
What can you see in the night sky tonight? Find out what's on view in our monthly stargazing guide.
Eureka! We thought we knew how the Universe works, but these radical ideas changed everything
Astrophysicist Ersilia Vaudo explores five key moments in astronomy and space science that forever changed what we know about the cosmos
Group of photographers capture stunning image of distant galaxy with a black hole at its heart
New solar telescope image reveals sun’s hidden dangers, and could help protect our technology
“When powerful solar storms hit Earth, they impact critical infrastructure across the globe and in space. High-resolution observations of the Sun are necessary to improve predictions of such damaging storms,” says Carrie Black, NSF National Solar Observatory
NASA's EZIE mission
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.
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.
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.
Portable, accurate, impressively fast. We tested the Sky-Watcher Wave 100i mount and tripod
"We knew we were going to miss it." Testing the StellarMate Pro 128GB astrophotography controller
Acuter Voyager MAK80-Fast
Dwarflab Dwarf 3 smart telescope review
The ultra-portable dual-lens scope has had an upgrade – and we’re impressed.
Dwarflab Dwarf II smart telescope review
This little dual-camera system makes astro imaging a piece of cake for novices
Canon EOS R8 mirrorless camera
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
How to take a photograph through a pair of binoculars
Is it possible to take a photograph through binoculars? You'll either need a steady hand or switch to a smartphone adaptor.
Facts about Mars
Mars is one of the most explored bodies of our Solar System. Our spacecraft and rovers are revealing its secrets bit by bit, including whether it could have hosted life…
Lunar libration: what it is and how to photograph it
A guide to libration of the Moon, and how to capture contrasting images that reveal the ‘extra’ areas at the Moon’s edges.
Beehive Cluster
Facts about and images of M44, also known as the Beehive Cluster.
Image of smiley face Moon, April 2025
Want to fine-tune your astrophoto colour palette? Split your RGB image to edit colour channels individually
Astrophotography galleries
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.
Gallery | Jupiter
Facts about Jupiter and images of the gas giant captured by amateur astrophotographers.
Gallery | Saturn
Beautiful pictures of the ringed planet Saturn and facts about the gas giant, the second biggest planet in our Solar System.
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'.
Gallery | Sunspots
Facts about sunspots and images of the Sun's surface.
Gallery | Hercules Globular Cluster
M13, the Hercules Globular Cluster, is perhaps the most famous of all globulars.
Spaceflight
From comet and moonlandings to space laboratories and enormous telescopes, these are Europe's biggest wins in space
Wow! Martian dust devil photobombs a selfie taken by one of NASA's Mars rovers
How will solar storms affect future Mars astronauts? That's what two NASA spacecraft are hoping to find out
Solar maximum provides an opportunity to study the effects of an active Sun on the surface of Mars.
Soviet spacecraft crashes to Earth. Kosmos 482 exact location still in doubt
A 1970s Soviet spacecraft built to withstand Venus's thick atmosphere will crash to Earth this weekend
Photograph of Curiosity rover on Mars
US Space Force planning 'orbital carrier'
Could a spaceship really fly through an asteroid belt? Just ask NASA, who've sent multiple craft to do just that
Katy Perry and all-female astronaut crew back on Earth after successfully completing trip into space
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.
Crafty science project: make a model showing what causes a solar eclipse or lunar eclipse
Follow our DIY guide and make a simple model demonstrating how a solar and lunar eclipse works for a fun children's school science project.
The best, safest ways to view a solar eclipse, from low-cost, simple options to expert astronomer techniques
What are the best and safest ways to view an eclipse?