Skills
Expert advice on a range of practical astronomy techniques, from setting up your telescope to combatting light pollution.
Perseids 2024 | How to see this month's meteor shower
The Perseid meteor shower begins late July and peaks every August. Find out how you can spot a Perseid in the night sky this month.
Meteor showers | When the next one is, and how to see it
Find out whether there is a meteor shower occurring above the UK tonight, when the next one is, and how to see a meteor for yourself.
Best ways to observe a 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.
Planets | August 2025
Make the most of Saturn at opposition this month with our guide to observing the planets.
Want to capture a shooting star? Our beginner's guide on how to photograph the Perseid meteor shower
Find out to photograph a Perseid meteor shower in the night sky and what equipment you'll need.
Planets | See Saturn and Venus in July 2025
Mars and Jupiter steal the show as the planets start to improve this month.
How to stop dew forming on your telescope
Why dew forms on your telescope's optics, and how you can stop it from fogging up your observing.
The green flash of Venus: what it is and how to see it
Can you observe the green flash effect of Venus as it sets over the horizon?
Photograph the Moon with your smartphone camera
Tips and tricks to help you succeed in lunar astrophotography using a smartphone.
Planets | June 2025
Find out what planets are worth observing in the sky this month.
Noctilucent clouds | What they are and how to see them
High altitude clouds on the edge of space, noctilucent clouds or NLCs are a delight for summer stargazers.
6 ways to successfully predict an aurora display
Top tips an online resources for taking the guesswork out of catching the amazing natural spectacle.
5 top tips for binocular astronomy and stargazing
A pair of binoculars can be one of the best stargazing tools for opening up the wonders of the night sky.
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.
Eta Aquariids 2025 | See this year's meteor shower
How to see the Eta Aquariids meteor shower this year.
Visible planets in the night sky, April 2025
Mercury returns to evening skies in April 2023, making it a planet to keep an eye on this month. Find out which dates are best for observing Mercury.
How to see the International Space Station in the night sky
Want to track the ISS across the sky, but don't know where to look? Read our guide to help you spot the space station tonight.
Mercury | How to observe the planet
Mercury returns favourably to our twilight skies in April 2023. Find out how to locate it and what you can see through a telescope.
How to photograph a lunar eclipse
Read our astrophotography guide and image a lunar eclipse.
Observing guide | Visible planets in March
A guide to observing the planets in March, and which planets will not be visible.
3 unique and interesting ways to photograph the planet Venus
Want to photograph planet Venus? Here are 3 interesting astrophotography experiments to try with the planet.
Photograph a shadow cast by light from Venus
An indoor astronomy project with a huge payoff: capturing a shadow cast by the light of the brilliant planet Venus.
13 of the best places for stargazing in the UK
The UK still has fantastically dark places to view the night sky. Here's our pick of some of the best.
How to attach a DSLR camera to a telescope
How to use a telescope like a camera lens for close-up shots of the stars.