Steve Richards

Astronomer and author

Steve Richards is a DIY astronomy expert and author of Making Every Photon Count: A Beginner’s Guide to Deep Sky Astrophotography.

Recent articles by Steve Richards

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

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

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?

Close up of eyepiece of telescope with man's hand. Telescope tuning

Astronomy FAQs I have trouble seeing unclipped images through high magnification eyepieces. Is the position of the holder incorrect?

How to set up an equatorial mount

Astronomy FAQs Why do I need to polar align my equatorial mount?

If you're a planetary imager, make sure your laptop and software are ready for a new season of astronomy. Credit: Steve Marsh

Astronomy FAQs I would like a telescope I can use with my EOS 7D and laptop. Any suggestions?

Massive galaxy UGC 2885 Hubble Space Telescope, 5 January 2020 Credit: NASA, ESA, and B. Holwerda (University of Louisville)

Astronomy FAQs What type of mount is best for deep-sky astrophotography?

Telescope stats explained

Astronomy FAQs What can a field flattener or focal reducer do for my telescope?

Celestron CPC Deluxe 1100HD

Astronomy FAQs Why is there a black spot in my telescope's field of view?

Thanks to Kari Brown for her question, and for sending us in a picture of her mirror. Credit: Kari Brown

Astronomy FAQs My telescope's mirror is dull. Should I have it recoated?

Meade ETX 90 Observer telescope

Astronomy FAQs I’m getting either a Meade NG 90 or ETX 90. Are these suitable for beginners?

Celestron Omni XLT AZ 102 Refractor/basic mount

Astronomy FAQs I'm buying my first telescope. Should I get a reflector or a refractor?