Astronomy for beginners

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

Celestron Advanced VX 700 Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope review

Astronomy FAQs I'm buying a secondhand telescope. What do I need to know?

finderscope

Astronomy FAQs What is a guidescope?

Asterisms (shown in red) can cross constellations, which are in fact regions of sky, not just the main patterns. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Constellations and asterisms: what’s the difference?

Venus and the Pleiades seen through cloud on 4 April 2012. Credit: Pete Lawrence

See Venus against the Pleiades star cluster, 1-6 April 2020

Isolating at home can be a challenge, but astronomy is one way of passing the time. Credit: mixetto / Getty Images

Astronomy in isolation Stargazing activities for those stuck at home

Also known as the Da Vinci Glow, earthshine allows us to see features on the Moon’s dark side. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Observing guide Earthshine: what it is and how to see it

Twinkling stars are an anathema to astronomers, as they are a sure sign of poor seeing. Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA

What is astronomical seeing?

Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah. Credit: NPS/Jacob W. Frank

10 US National Parks perfect for stargazing

Try our 6 astronomy experiments you can do at home using household objects. Credit: Michael Moltenbrey

6 simple astronomy experiments you can do at home

Credit: Jesse Beaman / Stargazing Scotland

The best places to stargaze in Scotland

The Milky Way arches over Llyn y Dywarchen lake, Snowdonia National Park. Credit: Matt Gibson / Getty Images

Stargazing in Wales

Stellina smart telescope. Credit: BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Stellina smart telescope: a good option for beginners?

Get to a good, dark location away from light pollution and you will see so many more stars. Credit: Carlos Fernandez

12 top tips for stargazing

The positions of Venus and Mercury from 1–19 February. Bright Mercury is particularly well placed for observing at the start of the month when it is mag. –0.9. Credit: Pete Lawrence

A guide to viewing the planets throughout February 2020

A perigee full Moon (left) appears 30% brighter and 14% larger than an apogee full Moon (right). Credit: Pete Lawrence

Observe the perigee ‘Supermoon’ 7-8 April 2020