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.

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

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

What is a supermoon and when is the next one?

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

How to make a mobile Solar System for a child's bedroom. Step 7

Make a Solar System mobile for kids