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.
A beginner's guide to stellar magnitude, the scale astronomers use to measure the brightness of stars
What is stellar magnitude, and how do you measure a star's brightness?
Halley's Comet meteor shower peaks this weekend. Top tips for beginners observing the Eta Aquariids
Our top tips for beginners heading out to see an Eta Aquariid meteor this weekend.
Comet Pons-Brooks and a dying star. Find out what's visible in the Southern Hemisphere night sky this month
Find out what's in the night sky tonight from your Southern Hemisphere location.
Observing guide | 5 star clusters to see with the naked eye
You don't always need a telescope or binoculars to see beautiful star clusters in the night sky. Here are our top 5 open clusters visible with the naked eye.
Eta Aquariids 2024 | See this year's meteor shower
The Eta Aquariid meteor shower 2023 peaks on the evening of 6/7 May, but a full Moon will hamper the view.
Pherkad is a giant star 15 times bigger than our Sun that never sets. Find out how to see it in the Little Bear.
How to find the circumpolar star in Ursa Minor.
How to stargaze from a city
Light pollution from towns and cities makes viewing the night sky a tricky business. But there are things you can do to help.
6 wonders to see in the night sky with binoculars, May 2024
With binoculars you can see so much more in the night sky. Take our deep-sky tour and find out.
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.
Meteor showers | When the next one is, and how to see it
Find out whether there is a meteor shower occurring above the UK tonight, when the next one is, and how to see a meteor for yourself.
When is the next full Moon? Full Moon calendar dates for 2024
Find out when the next full Moon is visible, and full Moon names for 2024.
Astronomy explained | What is a nebula?
Majestic and mysterious, nebulae are some of the most beautiful deep-sky objects to be found in the night’s sky. But what are these space clouds? And how are they created?
Gallery | 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.
100 best stargazing astronomy sights
Our pick of the best things to see in the night sky.
Star Diary | 22 to 28 April 2024
21 coolest things in space
Our pick of some of the coolest things in space that we know of.
Observing guide | Earthshine: what it is and how to see it
How to spot earthshine, when light reflected off Earth lights up the Moon’s dark side.
Lyrid meteor shower 2023 | See the springtime meteor shower peak this week
With the Moon out of the way during peak activity, this year's Lyrid meteor shower is the first many good showers throughout 2023.
Star Diary | 15 to 21 April 2024
Eclipses 2024 | This year's solar and lunar eclipses
Find out when the next solar and lunar eclipses are occurring, and where you can see them.
Join your local amateur astronomy society! Our guide to societies in the UK and Ireland
Interested in joining an astronomical society? We've compiled a list of over 200 amateur astronomy societies and clubs across the UK and Ireland.
Devil Comet 12P/Pons–Brooks approaches Jupiter over the coming evenings. This is how to see it
Comet 12P/Pons–Brooks could approach naked-eye in March, as it tracks from Andromeda to Pisces.
The best, safest ways to view a solar eclipse, from low-cost, simple options to expert astronomer techniques
What are the best and safest ways to view an eclipse?