Iain Todd
Science journalist
Iain Todd is BBC Sky at Night Magazine's Content Editor. He fell in love with the night sky when he caught his first glimpse of Orion, aged 10.
Recent articles by Iain Todd
Next full Moon dates 2025
Find out when the next full Moon is visible, and full Moon names for 2026.
Buyer's guide | Best telescopes for astrophotography
How to choose a telescope for photographing the night sky, and some of the best models available.
No eclipse glasses? Pinhole projection is a cheap, alternative method
Solar eclipses occur when the Moon passes in front of the Sun, appearing as though a 'bite' is being taken out of the solar disk. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon covers the Sun completely, but during a partial solar eclipse, only some of the Sun is covered by the Moon. If you're observing a solar eclipse directly, you need to wear eclipse glasses, as not doing so could damage your eyesight. But if you don't have eclipse glasses, there is a way you can still observe the effects of the eclipse. It's called 'solar projection', or 'pinhole projection',
How to make sure your solar eclipse glasses are safe
Top tips from the AAA for making sure you get your hands on a pair of safe solar eclipse glasses.
A ring of fire solar eclipse is visible this week. This is all you need to know about one of 2026's biggest events
All you need to know about the 17 February annular eclipse, including where a partial eclipse will be visible from
Scientists get clearest view ever of star collapsing into a black hole. And they very nearly missed it
Strange infrared glow found in archival data from a defunct NASA mission
8 of the best solar telescopes for safely observing the Sun or a solar eclipse
Our pick of the best telescopes for safely observing the Sun.
This is every smart telescope we've ever reviewed. Discover our pick of the best models on the market
Our guide to every smart telescope we've ever tried and tested
This distant solar system is like our own, except it's inside-out. Here's why that's a big deal
The discovery is challenging what we know about how planets form around stars
Hubble sees strange, sputtering vibrations from a dying star. This cosmic light show is the Egg Nebula
Hubble gives astronomers a fleeting glimpse of a key moment in a star's life
Six-planet alignment, February 2026. How to see it
Another planet parade is coming up. How excited should we be?
Artemis II will broadcast 4K from the Moon. Laser tech could give us Netflix-style views of the lunar surface
NASA's O2O system is capable of sending down 4K high-definition video from the Moon
Jupiter is smaller and more squashed than we thought, says NASA
NASA's Juno spacecraft reveals the gas giant isn't as big as we thought
The latest images of insterstellar comet 3I/ATLAS
It started out as a small dot moving across a sea of stars in a black and white image, and now has evolved into a large, bright object with a glowing tail, courtesy of some of the best telescopes humanity has ever built. Comet 3I/ATLAS continues to amaze scientists, astronomers and even mere mortals like. And unsurprisingly, professional comet-watchers have been utilising our best observing engineering to find out as much as they can, while they can. That's because 3I/ATLAS is merely passing through our Solar System, and won't be around for long. Comet 3I/ATLAS is one of only three
3I/ATLAS breakthrough – ingredients for life and sharp brightening detected at interstellar visitor
Comet 3I/ATLAS is "releasing a cocktail of chemicals that haven’t been exposed to space for billions of years," say scientists
Worm 'blood' Moon lunar eclipse, March 2025
How to see next full Moon, March's Worm Moon
Confused about solar flares? 11 facts that reveal what they are and why they cause the aurora
Yet another strong flare erupts from the Sun. Could we be in for an aurora weekend?
Stronger aurora displays could be visible on 4–6 February
Why planetary alignments happen
The planetary alignment of January 2025 caused quite a stir online, with many people wanting to know more about this apparently unique parade of planets in the night sky, and why it happens. There were even some outlets purporting that the planets would be aligned in the sky for one night only, making 21 January 2025 the only time to see these Solar System worlds together in a single view. In truth, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune were visible for weeks before this date, and still visible into early February 2025. Being able to see six planets in
Artificial Intelligence just drove NASA's robotic rover on Mars for the first time
Generative AI was used to plan and execute a successful route across the Red Planet
By the time astronauts get to Mars, they may no longer be able to walk. These scientists could have the answer
Could AI help warn astronauts about the dangers of weightlessness?
Rocket fuel leak delays NASA's Artemis II mission to the Moon by a month. Is this a big deal?
Artemis II will now launch in March 2026 at the earliest
Artemis II astronauts released from quarantine as launch date pushed back to March 2026
Another milestone in the first crewed mission to the Moon since Apollo
Artemis II launch delayed to March as fuel leak and communications issues arise during rehearsal
Get updates on the latest preparations for the launch of NASA's Artemis II mission
