Skills

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

Þ During the course of September, Mars will appear to increase in size by about 22%. Credit: Pete Lawrence

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

The red giant star Betelgeuse (the prominent orange-red star above centre in this image), as it appears in the constellation of Orion. Credit: Rolf Löhr / CCDGuide.com

Track the life and death of stars in the night sky

Photo of the night sky over Glenridding, UK. Credit: Alan Graham / EyeEm / Getty Images

Observing guide Best autumn constellations

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

Mars Opposition 2020 See the Red Planet in retrograde

How to use photoshop masks. Credit: Charlotte Daniels

Astrophotography guides

Use Photoshop masks to enhance your nebula astrophotos

Aurora header

13 things new stargazers should know

Binoculars are a great way for newcomers to get into astronomy. Credit: lucentius / Getty Images

Observing guide 10 autumn binocular astronomy targets

A pair of binoculars may be all you need to get started in astronomy. Credit: VW Pics / Contributor / Getty Images

5 top tips for binocular astronomy

Durdle Door in Dorset, UK A nightscape capture of the Milky Way is a great opportunity to try your processing skills. Credit: Schroptschop / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Observing guide How to see the Milky Way

The Dumbbell Nebula captured by Brant Cambridge, California, US. Equipment: FLI PL09000 mono CCD camera, PlaneWave 24-inch astrograph, PlaneWave Ascension 200HR mount.

Deep-sky tour 6 planetary nebulae to spot in the night sky

An Artist's impression of Phobos and Deimos, the moons of Mars. Credit: Elen11 / Getty Images

Mars Opposition 2020 How to see the moons of Mars

M81, Bode's Galaxy. Credit: Rochus Hess / CCDGuide.com

8 Messier objects to spot in the night sky

Stargazers observe the Perseid meteor shower over the Saskatchewan Summer Star Party, Canada, 10 August 2018. Credit: VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Perseids 2020 How to see this year's meteor shower

The radiant is the point from which a meteor shower appears to originate, as seen from Earth. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Meteor showers How to observe and record shooting stars