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.

Stargazers observe the Perseid meteor shower over the Saskatchewan Summer Star Party, Canada, 10 August 2018. Credit: VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Perseids 2021 How to see this year's meteor shower

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

BBC Sky at Night Magazine webinar. How to observe the Sun, with Pete Lawrence

Webinar How to observe and photograph the Sun

BBC Sky at Night Magazine Star Diary podcast.

Star Diary Podcast

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

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

Astronomy explained What is a supermoon?

The Rosette Nebula Shawn Nielsen, remotely via El Sauce Observatory, Chile, 23 February 2021. Equipment: FLI PL 16803 camera, ASA 500N reflector, ASA DDM85 mount

Astrophotography guides

Deep-sky astrophotography: a beginner’s guide

solar system planets

Astronomy explained The Planets

How to see the annular solar eclipse and the UK partial solar eclipse on 10 June 2021. Photo by MANJUNATH KIRAN/AFP via Getty Images

Gallery Solar eclipse, 10 June 2021

BBC Sky at Night Magazine Star Diary podcast.

Star Diary Podcast

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

Illustration showing a male astronomer pointing his telescope at the Moon, with owls and other nocturnal wildlife surrounding him.

A wild night sitting under the stars

Storms on the Sun Lucie Green webinar BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Webinar Storms on the Sun, with Lucie Green

Star Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky. Credit: iStock / Getty Images Plus

Astronomy explained What is the brightest star?

Finderscopes and mounts are basic accessories that will help you - and your telescope - navigate the night sky and locate celestial targets. Credit: BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Astronomy FAQs How do you set up a finderscope on a telescope?

A full Moon that looks blue. Credit: PhotoAlto/Frederic Cirou/GettyImages

Astronomy explained What's a blue Moon?

The Milky Way and an Eta Aquariid meteor, Park City, Utah, USA. Credit: Nam Do / 500px / Getty Images

Eta Aquariids 2021 How to see this year's meteor shower