Steve Richards

Recent articles by Steve Richards

A selection of some of the deep-sky objects from the Caldwell Catalogue. Clockwise from top left: NGC 891, The Fireworks Galaxy, NGC 7662, The Owl Cluster, The Flaming Star Nebula, NGC 2403. Credit: Manfred Wasshuber, Michael Breite, Stefan Heutz, Wolfgang Ries, Michael Caller / CCDGuide.com

Observing guide Caldwell Catalogue: an astronomy tour of the night sky.

With the dome section added, the observatory really begins to take shape. Credit: Mark Parrish

How to build a home observatory

Attaching two scopes to a side-by-side bar is more stable than simply piggybacking them.

How to set up a dual astrophotography imaging system

Vixen A62SS 2.5-inch achromatic refractor review

Vixen A62SS 2.5-inch achromatic refractor review

£429 Price correct at time of review

Altair Starwave ASCENT 102ED F7 refractor

Astronomy FAQs What are dovetail bars?

A typical example of vignetting, taken through a 3-inch refractor Credit: Steve Richards

Astronomy FAQs What is vignetting?

Bahtinov mask. Credit: Axleottal (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahtinov_mask)

Astronomy FAQs What is a Bahtinov mask?

Mead LightBridge Mini 130 Dobsonian. Credit: BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Astronomy FAQs What would be the best bag for transporting my table-top telescope?

The lights from towns and cities can blot out views of the night sky. Credit: iStock

Astronomy FAQs What's the best telescope to use under light pollution?

Celestron Advanced VX 700 Maksutov-Cassegrain

Astronomy FAQs Why does my telescope need a counterweight?

Sky-Watcher Star Discovery 150P full header

Astronomy FAQs Flexibility problems give me trouble polar aligning my mount. What can I do?

Celestron NexStar 8SE Schmidt Cassegrain review

Astronomy FAQs My telescope has silver spots on the inside of the lens. Should I remove the lens to clean them?

Adrian Lilly's homemade telescope pier: a steady, permanent fixture that requires little physical exertion. Credit: Adrian Lilly.

Astronomy FAQs I’m a wheelchair user and I struggle to get to my telescope. Any advice?

The three most common designs of eyepiece you’ll come across as an observer: an orthoscopic (left), a Plössl (middle) and a wide angle (right). Image Credit: The Secret Studio

Astronomy FAQs What is a Plössl eyepiece?

Our rotating turret can hold up to four of your favourite eyepieces. Credit: Mark Parrish

Astronomy FAQs I struggle finding my eyepieces in the dark. Any advice for keeping them organised?