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.
Buyer's guide | Best budget telescopes
A good telescope needn't cost the Earth. It is possible to explore the heavens with an inexpensive telescope, provided it's well-made.
Best telescopes for kids
Buying a telescope for children can be a tricky task. We've tested some of the best telescopes for kids and young people getting started in astronomy.
Leonids 2023 | See the meteor shower peak this weekend with our charts and top tips
The Leonid meteor shower peaks on 17 November. Find out how to see it in our beginner's guide.
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Next full Moon 2026 calendar dates
Find out when the next full Moon is visible and full Moon names for 2026.
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.
Best planets in November 2026 - brightest ones to see and when they're at their most spectacular
Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus are our planet picks for the month
Observing Saturn in October 2026
Saturn is at opposition in October 2026, which makes it the perfect time to observe the planet and its famous rings
See the full Moon – six of the funnest, easiest ways to make the most of the lunar spectacle
How to make the most of and enjoy a full Moon or supermoon.
Best ways to observe a full Moon
Some will tell you a full Moon is the worst time to observe our lunar neighbour, but there's still plenty to see when the Moon is fully illuminated.
How to see the 2026 Hunter's Moon
The 25 October 2026 full Moon will be the year's Hunter's Moon. Find out what this means and when to see it close to Saturn
Orionid meteor shower 2026 – top tips for the peak night
How to see an Orionid meteor
Best beginners' telescopes
Looking to buy your first telescope but don't know where to start? We've picked out some of the best beginner telescopes on the market.
The Orionid meteor shower is visible right now. Here's how to see a shooting star tonight
See the Orionid meteor shower peak this week with our beginners' guide.
Autumn's best meteor showers
Our pick of the best meteor showers to see from October to December.
Draconids | How to see this year's meteor shower
Find out how to spot a Draconid meteor with our beginner's guide.
Tomorrow morning the Moon meets Mars, then Jupiter. It's going to be spectacular. Here's how to see it
See the Moon meet Mars and Jupiter this week
Those two bright morning stars? That's Mars and Jupiter – and the pair are going to be spectacular this month
In October 2026, Mars and Jupiter are among the highlights of the morning sky
When is the Harvest Moon? From London to Tokyo to New York, key timings for the full Moon this weekend
Key timings for the rise of the Harvest Moon across the world
How to see star Aldebaran, the fiery eye of the Bull
A guide to Aldebaran in Taurus and how to find it in the night sky.
Gallery | The Pleiades
A guide to M45, also known as the Pleiades, by the late Patrick Moore
Autumn equinox 2026: when it is and what it means
When is the equinox and what does September equinox mean for stargazers?
Best things to see in the Southern Hemisphere sky, September 2026
Find out what's in the night sky tonight from your Southern Hemisphere location.
Best binocular targets to see tonight | Best things to see in the night sky with binoculars tonight
With binoculars you can see so much more in the night sky. Take our deep-sky tour and find out.
Dark matter | 8 questions answered
Questions about dark matter, including what it is, what it does, how we know it's there and how scientists look for it
