Katrin Raynor
Astronomy writer
Katrin Raynor is an astronomy writer and a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Recent articles by Katrin Raynor
Halloween Astronomy | How to plan a spooky stargazing session
Witches, dragons, demons and fireballs abound in the autumnal night sky, provided you know where to look.
The Moon | 10 facts and things you should know
How Earth's orbit affects our view of the night sky
The stars and constellations appear to move throughout the year. But it's not the stars that are moving - it's us.
Autumn's best meteor showers
Our pick of the best meteor showers to see from October to December.
The best autumn stargazing targets
Autumn means longer, darker nights, perfect for stargazing.
Solstices and equinoxes explained
How Earth's tilt and orbit gives us seasons, solstices and equinoxes, and when they are occurring in 2024.
Comet Hale-Bopp, the story of a visitor from the edge of the Solar System
What was Comet Hale-Bopp, how was it discovered and why was its appearance in the night sky so important? Katrin-Raynor Evans explores the history of this celestial visitor.
Saturn ring plane crossing, March 2025
What are the chances of an asteroid hitting Earth?
The larger space rocks get, the less often they impact
Valentine's Day | 5 romantic stargazing ideas
Romantic stargazing ideas to impress your loved on this 14 February.
Why do we sometimes see the Moon during the day?
The Moon is not merely a nighttime object and we can often see it during the day. Find out why.
From shooting stars to cosmic rays and even gravity. This is how space affects Earth and life on our planet
Fancy a lunar stroll? This is how long it would take to walk around the Moon
It may not be long before space tourism is here. Assuming lunar walking tours become popular, how long would it take to walk around the Moon?
Strike! 10 biggest impact craters in the Solar System that show how chaotic our cosmic backyard really is
What are the biggest impact craters on Earth and across the Solar System?
How long is a day on the Moon?
How long does a day last on the Moon, and how is a day measured?
What is the temperature on the Moon? Future lunar explorers face harsh, freezing conditions
What is the temperature of the Moon, and how much does the range differ? And is there a difference between the near side and far side?
A guide to Venus's hellish, poisonous atmosphere
A look at a planet where the skies boil and the clouds rain acid
Observing guide | Best winter constellations
Our pick of the best winter constellations in the northern hemisphere, and what deep-sky objects can be found if you look a little closer.
A guide to the wild weather of the Solar System planets
A look at the extreme climates and wild weather found on our neighbouring planets
10 wonderful targets to see in the Orion constellation
Orion is a great target for beginners due to the wealth of astronomical objects that lie within its boundary.
How to see the Belt of Venus
What causes this beautiful atmospheric phenomenon visible in the sky opposite a sunset or sunrise?
Observing guide | How to stargaze from your window
There is a wealth of astronomical sights to see without having to leave the comfort of your home.
10 of the best astronomical observatories in the UK
Whether stargazing at night or discovering the cosmos by the day, these are some of the best astronomy centres Britain has to offer.
Stargazing 2022 | What to see in the night sky this year
2022 is set to be a great year for astronomy. We reveal the planets, constellations, conjunctions and other stargazing highlights over the coming 12 months.