Astronomy for beginners

Beginners guides, hints and tips to help you get started in the world of astronomy.

Why does the Moon sometimes appear during the day? Credit: Dermot Conlan / Getty Images

Why can we see the Moon during the day?

Mars will appear closest to Neptune on 13 June in the morning sky. Credit: Pete Lawrence

See Mars and Neptune together in the early morning sky

Best summer stars in the northern hemisphere. How many can you spot? Credit: Sarote Impheng / EyeEm / Getty Images

Observing guide Top 5 summer stars

Best summer constellations in the northern hemisphere. How many can you spot? Credit: Ma Noch Leuxd Sngkhram / EyeEm / Getty Images

Observing guide Top 5 summer constellations

The International Space Station appears in the night sky above Banff National Park, Canada. Also visible in the image is the auroral phenomenon known as STEVE. Credit: Alan Dyer/Stocktrek Images/Getty Images

How to see the International Space Station in the night sky

A view of the Milky Way over Gran Sasso, Italy. The bright red 'star' on the left is Mars, while Saturn is at the middle of the image. The bright 'star' on the right is Jupiter. Credit: Dneutral Han / Getty Images

How to find the planets in the night sky

Creat a pinhole camera and track the path of the Sun across the sky

How to make a pinhole camera

Noctilucent clouds. Credit: Meindert van der Haven/istock/getty images

Noctilucent clouds What they are and how to see them

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?

The best telescopes for kids and young astronomers. Credit: BBC Sky at Night Magazine

18 of the best telescopes for kids in 2020

How to set up an equatorial mount

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

Venus appears near a crescent Moon. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Observing guide See Venus near a beautiful crescent Moon this weekend

Celestron 2-inch diagonal

Astronomy FAQs What is a diagonal used for on a telescope?

Celestron Omni XLT AZ 102 Refractor/basic mount

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

Altair 150EDF apochromatic doublet refractor. Credit: BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Astronomy FAQs What is a telescope baffle?