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.

What is an exoplanet? Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Lizbeth B. De La Torre

Astronomy explained What is an exoplanet?

A supermoon rising behind a mountain. Credit: Mimi Ditchie Photography / Getty Images

Supermoon See the first of 2021 on 27 April

How to use a DSLR camera. Credit: Gajus / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Astrophotography

Astrophotography guide How to use a DSLR camera

Lyrid meteor seen above Schermbeck, Germany. Credit: Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Lyrids 2021 How to see this year's meteor shower

What are stars? Credit: Eric Lowenbach / Getty Images

Astronomy explained What are stars?

How do astronomers name stars and catalogue the night sky? Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA

How do astronomers name stars?

The best places to stargaze in England. Credit: Alexander W Helin / Getty ImagesStar trails behind a single hawthorn tree in Yorkshire Dales national park.

Best places to stargaze in England

Space and astronomy science projects for kids. Credit: Ian Nolan / Getty Images

Science projects for kids: space and astronomy

Star Diary astronomy podcast. Find out what's in the night sky, March 2021

Star Diary Podcast

Star Diary Podcast What's in the night sky, April 2021

A conjunction of the moon with Venus and Jupiter, Chanthaburi, Chanthabur, Thailand, 28 November 2019. Credit: Chakarin Wattanamongkol / Getty Images

Observing guide Upcoming conjunctions and how to see them

Galaxy NGC 4424, as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope. Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA

How do we measure distance in space?

Astrophotography a beginner's guide. Credit: Bento Fotography / Getty Images

Astrophotography

Astrophotography A beginner's guide

An image of the Andromeda Galaxy by NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer.

How to see the Andromeda Galaxy

The Plough / Ursa Major. Credit: Christophe Lehenaff / Getty Images

Astrophotography guides

Astrophotography guide How to photograph a constellation

An annular solar eclipse captured from Lubbock, Texas in 2012. Credit: Willoughby Owen / Getty Images

Eclipses 2021 This year's solar and lunar eclipses