Skills

An image of the Sun that looks strikingly like a Halloween jack o lantern. This image was captured by NASA's SDO probe. Credit: NASA/SDO

Halloween Astronomy How to plan a spooky stargazing session

The Watcher Nicolai Brügger, Lofoten, Norway, 9 March 2018. Category: Aurorae. Equipment: Nikon D600 camera, 15mm f/2.8 lens.

Astrophotography guides

Image processing How to create an aurora panorama

The Triangulum Galaxy, as seen by the Very Large Telescope. Credit: ESO

How to observe our neighbouring galaxies

The Orionid meteor shower 2020 radiant is near Betelgeuse and the shower’s peak is on 20/21 October. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Orionids 2020 How to see this year's meteor shower

To locate Pluto you’ll need to record stars down to mag. +15.0 (see inset). Credit: Pete Lawrence

Observing guide How to spot Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto in the night sky

How to the see planets in October 2020. Mars lies in Pisces throughout the opposition period. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Observing guide How to see the planets in the night sky, October 2020

Thanks to lunar libration we can observe slightly more than half of the Moon’s surface. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Lunar libration: what it is and how to photograph it

Clair obscur effects on the Moon. Upper row, left to right: Lunar X, Lunar V, Plato’s Hook. Lower row, left to right: Face in Albategnius, the Jewelled Handle, Cassini’s Moon Maiden (south-up view). Credit: Pete Lawrence

Observing guide 7 clair-obscur effects to observe on the Moon

Kemble's Cascade asterism in Camelopardalis. Credit: Alan Dyer/Stocktrek Images

An astronomer’s tour of autumn and winter targets

Clavius is a wonderfully rugged moon crater, ripe for observing with a telescope. Credit: Pete Lawrence

How to see crater Clavius on the Moon

How to spend your first night with a telescope. Credit: m-gucci / Getty Images

Your first night with a telescope

Can you spot green stars in the night sky? Credit: iStock

Green stars Take our emerald observing tour of the night sky

Venus and a 14%-lit waning crescent Moon near M44 on the morning of 14 September. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Observing guide See Venus, Moon and Beehive Cluster, 11-15 September

If you're a planetary imager, make sure your laptop and software are ready for a new season of astronomy. Credit: Steve Marsh

Autumn astronomy The best targets for longer nights

A clear night can provide a perfect opportunity for a conjunction photo, like this pairing of Jupiter and the Moon. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Astrophotography guides

How to photograph a conjunction