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
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.
Sky-Watcher's new budget telescope is a precision instrument for beginners. We got the chance to try it out
All-in-one astro imaging software promises to make processing a breeze. We got our expert to try it out
ON1 Photo RAW 2025.2 enables you to edit and sort your shots in one streamlined space
Vaonis Vespera Pro smart telescope review
Smart telescopes have opened a new, accessible avenue for newcomers to astronomy, providing an all-in-one platform for capturing those first stellar photons. The Vaonis Vespera Pro is the latest model in the Vespera line and builds on the features of its predecessor, the Vespera II. SQUIRREL_13609045 While the aperture and focal length are the same, the Vespera Pro boasts the larger Sony IMX676 colour sensor, which offers 12.5MP resolution versus the Vespera II’s 8.3MP. The pixel size of 2µm means a sampling rate of 1.6 arcseconds per pixel, which is perfect for average seeing conditions, so we were keen to
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
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 latest images of insterstellar comet 3I/ATLAS
It started out as a small dot moving across a sea of stars in a black and white image, and now has evolved into a large, bright object with a glowing tail, courtesy of some of the best telescopes humanity has ever built. Comet 3I/ATLAS continues to amaze scientists, astronomers and even mere mortals like. And unsurprisingly, professional comet-watchers have been utilising our best observing engineering to find out as much as they can, while they can. That's because 3I/ATLAS is merely passing through our Solar System, and won't be around for long. Comet 3I/ATLAS is one of only three
Why planetary alignments happen
The planetary alignment of January 2025 caused quite a stir online, with many people wanting to know more about this apparently unique parade of planets in the night sky, and why it happens. There were even some outlets purporting that the planets would be aligned in the sky for one night only, making 21 January 2025 the only time to see these Solar System worlds together in a single view. In truth, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune were visible for weeks before this date, and still visible into early February 2025. Being able to see six planets in
Full Moon rises over NASA's Artemis II rocket. Photographers capture perfect picture of human endeavour
Shot of a lifetime captures the Snow Moon above the rocket that will take humans around the Moon
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.
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
Artemis II will broadcast 4K from the Moon. Laser tech could give us Netflix-style views of the lunar surface
NASA's O2O system is capable of sending down 4K high-definition video from the Moon
From lunar blackout to engine failure... 8 things to know about NASA's return to the Moon
What you need to know about NASA's Artemis II mission.
Astronauts get a weird feeling looking at Earth from space. It's the Overview Effect, and here's how it works
Looking back at Earth from the Moon had a profound effect on the Apollo astronauts
As Artemis II readies to launch, where's Russia? Launch pad woes may have put them out of the space race
Damage to Russia’s only crew launch pad had thrown its space programme into doubt
NASA Artemis Moon base would face a silent threat on the lunar surface. Has science found a solution?
Saving lunar settlers from rock strikes
is all down to shielding and location
Artificial Intelligence just drove NASA's robotic rover on Mars for the first time
Generative AI was used to plan and execute a successful route across the Red Planet
From the Cold War to Artemis – 20 of the bravest astronauts who ever donned a spacesuit
15 astronauts who had the right stuff, and more
By the time astronauts get to Mars, they may no longer be able to walk. These scientists could have the answer
Could AI help warn astronauts about the dangers of weightlessness?
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
