Skills

A conjunction of the moon with Venus and Jupiter, Chanthaburi, Chanthabur, Thailand, 28 November 2019. Credit: Chakarin Wattanamongkol / Getty Images

Observing guide Upcoming conjunctions and how to see them

Relative positions of Venus and Jupiter throughout March at approximately 19:30 UT as seen from the centre of the UK

Observing guide See Venus and Jupiter in the sky throughout March

Colours can be revealed in star trail captures, like those near bright, electric-blue Vega. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Astrophotography guides

How to bring out the colours of stars in your night-sky photography

How to observe constellations. Credit: Balzs Ujhelyi / EyeEm / Getty Images

How to observe and explore the constellations in the night sky

Towards the end of February 2023, Venus and Jupiter appear to be closing in on one another ahead of their closest separation of 38 arcminutes on 1 March. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Observing guide See Jupiter and Venus in the sky throughout February

lunar occultation of mars

How to calculate and observe lunar occultations

A view of Venus through a Canon SX610HS hand-held camera and (inset) through an 80mm refractor telescope captured by Roger Samworth from his upstairs window in Warwickshire, UK, 12 November 2018.

See Venus return to the evening sky this month

The best night-sky shape to use as a guide is the Plough: it’s large, bright and visible year-round in the northern hemisphere. It has two stars called the 'pointers' that point to Polaris, the North Star. Polaris is almost exactly above Earth’s axis at the North Pole, so doesn’t move and shows which way is north.

How to star-hop the night sky

Friends stargazing. Credit: EvgeniyShkolenko / Getty

Observing guide How to see the planets in 2023

A Geminid meteor streaks across the night sky over Saltburn-by-the-Sea, UK, 14 December 2018. Credit: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images.

Geminids 2022 How to see this year's meteor shower

A composite image showing the apparent reversal of Mars's movement in the night sky. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Observing guide See Mars change its course in the night sky

A sketch of a dust storm over Argyre Planitia on Mars. Credit: Paul Abel

How to draw Mars at your telescope

Albedo features on Mars. Credit: Pete Lawrence

A guide to Mars opposition and how to observe the Red Planet

What to see in the night sky on 25 December. Credit: Allexxandar / Getty Images

Christmas Astronomy What's in the night sky on 25 December

Mars close to the Moon's limb

Astrophotography guides

How to photograph next week’s lunar occultation of Mars