Anton Vamplew

Recent articles by Anton Vamplew

The Coathanger by José J. Chambó, Hoya Redonda, Valencia, Spain. Equipment: GSO 8

Observing guide How to find the Coathanger asterism

How do astronomers name stars and catalogue the night sky? Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA

How do astronomers name stars?

How to photograph the lunar occultation of Venus. Credit: Pete Lawrence

What is an occultation in astronomy?

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

Your first night with a telescope

A good selection of coloured filters is a useful addition when observing Mars. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Telescope filters: a beginner’s guide

Orion Nebula upside down. Credit: NASA, ESA, M. Robberto (Space Telescope Science Institute/ESA) and the Hubble Space Telescope Orion Treasury Project Team

Why does my telescope show everything upside down?

Albireo by Alexander Wilson, Aberdeen, UK. Equipment: Meade SC 8

Double stars and binary stars: a guide

Understanding the limits of your telescope. Credit: m-gucci / Getty images

Understanding the limits of your telescope

There are a variety of deep-sky catalogues from which to choose.

Deep-sky catalogues: a guide to astronomical referencing

A panorama showing the Milky Way (centre) and planets. Mars is bright to the left, Saturn is dimmer and bright Jupiter is right. The arcing line joining the planets defines the arc of the ecliptic. Credit: Alan Dyer / Stocktrek Images / Getty Images

What is the ecliptic?

Þ The coolest stars are red with surface temperatures around 3,000°C and the hottest are white at a toasty 40,000°C. Credit: Christian Darkin / Science Photo Library

The colour of stars

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

Stars in Southern Hemisphere night sky, looking towards the centre of the Milky Way. Credit: Kim Westerskov / Getty Images

Stellar magnitude: the scale to measure stars’ brightness

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

8 Messier objects to spot in the night sky

An artist's impression of Earth in orbit around the Sun. Credit: janiecbros / iStock / Getty Images Plus

How does Earth orbit the Sun?