If you are new to astronomy my astronomy fundamentals category contains guides, tips and resources to help you understand and navigate the night sky.
Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system. It is also the planet closest to the Sun. Being close to the Sun is the reason why Mercury is so difficult to find and view. It is often obscured by the glare of the Sun, visible only briefly before sunrise or after sunset in the twilight sky.
It is estimated that there are billions of Earth-like exoplanets, orbiting Sun-like stars, within a star’s habitable zone just in our Milky Way galaxy alone. Even if only a small percentage of these planets have the right conditions to sustain life as we know it, this still represents a huge number of habitable worlds where the possibility for life is significant.
The UK is one of the few places in Europe where you can experience truly dark skies. If you are tired of light-polluted skies then discover some of the best dark sky locations in the UK.
What is the story behind the Cygnus constellation? In this post I will delve into the Cygnus constellation mythology and history. From its earliest origins and the varied mythology that surrounds it, through to its modern acceptance as an officially recognised constellation in our night sky.
The Constellation Cygnus, also known as the Swan or Northern Cross, is one of the most fascinating and recognisable constellations in the night sky. Cygnus’ northerly location makes it very accessible for observers in the northern hemisphere and its rich star fields and numerous deep sky objects have captivated astronomers for centuries.
Binoculars are an excellent way for beginners and experienced astronomers to explore the night sky. Their ability to gather more light than the naked eye will reveal a whole host of new stars, planetary moons, deep sky objects and lunar features to you. Combined with some modest magnification binoculars bring you that little bit closer to the wonders of the night sky.
One of the most common terms that you will encounter in astronomy is stellar magnitude. It is the scale astronomers use to measure the brightness of all astronomical objects from stars and planets to distant galaxies and quasars. It is something that every keen astronomer should get to grips with, and this post will help you do just that.
The Big Dipper is one of the most easily recognisable star patterns in the night sky. It is a great starting point to discover other nearby constellations.
This astronomy essentials post will introduce you to The Big Dipper and how to find it in the night sky. You can then learn how to use The Big Dipper to find the North Star and 6 other important constellations.
The night sky is filled with thousands of stars that are visible to the naked eye, however, some of these stars shine more brightly than others as viewed from Earth.
These bright stars can be used as way-points to help you navigate the constellations. Knowing their names, what constellation they are part of and how to find them in the night sky is knowledge every astronomer should possess.
Have you ever stood under a star filled sky amazed by the scale and beauty of it all? Have you ever wanted to pick out the constellations or name the brightest stars? What about the planets?
The night sky is full of wonders. If you are a just starting out in astronomy it can be difficult to know where to start. This post outlines several helpful suggestions on how to get started in astronomy.