Astronomy for beginners
Are you new to astronomy? Our beginners’ guides are filled with hints and tips to help you get started in observing the night sky.
The 2025 Buck Moon rises on 10 July. Find out when and how to make the most of the spectacle
Next full Moon dates 2025
Find out when the next full Moon is visible, and full Moon names for 2025.
Telescope Mounts: a beginner's guide
What are telescope mounts, what are the different types and why do astronomers use them? Find out in our beginners' guide.
Stargazing in Wales
Wales has the highest proportion of protected dark skies in the world, and some of the best places for stargazing.
Tonight's Strawberry Moon meets the 'rival of Mars', a beautiful star at the heart of the scorpion
6 ways to enjoy to enjoy a full Moon or supermoon
How to make the most of and enjoy a full Moon or supermoon.
Astronomy explained | What are stars?
What is a star? How does a star form and die? Find out in our guide packed with facts about stars and answers to some of the most commonly-asked questions.
Mercury gets better and better this month, including a meeting with the Moon. This is how you can see it
Noctilucent clouds | What they are and how to see them
High altitude clouds on the edge of space, noctilucent clouds or NLCs are a delight for summer stargazers.
Best things to see in the Southern Hemisphere sky, June 2025
Find out what's in the night sky tonight from your Southern Hemisphere location.
Binocular targets | August 2024
With binoculars you can see so much more in the night sky. Take our deep-sky tour and find out.
Stargazing | What to see in the night sky this month
What can you see in the night sky tonight? Find out what's on view in our monthly stargazing guide.
Full Moon vs new Moon
Zodiac constellations
Astronomy FAQs | What do the numbers on binoculars mean?
BBC Sky at Night Magazine's Scope Doctor solves your practical astronomy ailments.
5 top tips for binocular astronomy and stargazing
A pair of binoculars can be one of the best stargazing tools for opening up the wonders of the night sky.
Inferior and superior planets difference explained
What is meant by inferior and superior planets in astronomy, and when is best to observe them?
Seeing in astronomy
What the term 'seeing' means in astronomy and how it affects your view of the night sky.
What is the ecliptic?
What astronomers mean by the ‘ecliptic’ and why all of the planets in our Solar System are in roughly the same plane.
Facts about space and astronomy
What do lemons and raspberries have to do with space, just how dense is a neutron star and how powerful is a gamma-ray burst?
Halley's Comet meteor shower peaks this week. Top tips for beginners observing the Eta Aquariids
Our top tips for beginners heading out to see an Eta Aquariid meteor this weekend.
Southern star and how to find south in the Southern Hemisphere
Eta Aquariids 2025 | See this year's meteor shower
How to see the Eta Aquariids meteor shower this year.