The 2026 Pink Moon rises at the start of April
29 of the scariest things in space
Take our tour of terror through the cosmos.
NASA's Mars spacecraft has got us a step closer to discovering what comet 3I/ATLAS is really made of
10 best features to observe on the Moon
Our planet’s only natural satellite, the Moon has enough features to keep astronomers busy for a lifetime. Here are 10 lunar highlights to get you started.
Finally! Webb has discovered water ice around a nearby star just like our own Solar System
When does Easter fall and what does it have to do with the Moon?
Why Easter moves around year after year, and what it's got to do with the full Moon
Space deforms astronauts' brains, say scientists. This could be bad news for getting humans to Mars
Spaceflight does strange things to our brains...
Best binocular targets to see tonight | Best things to see in the night sky with binoculars tonight
With binoculars you can see so much more in the night sky. Take our deep-sky tour and find out.
800,000 new objects found in one night – world's largest camera launches a new age of cosmic discovery
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory issued 800,000 alerts to astronomers on a single night on 24 February 2026.
BBC Sky at Night Magazine virtual events
New to astronomy?
Our simple guides will help you make the most of your time under the stars
14 things new stargazers should know
New to astronomy? Here are some things you'll notice in the night sky as you spend your first year stargazing.
How to become a better astronomer
You've spent many hours observing the night sky. So how can you improve and be more productive at the telescope eyepiece?
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.
How to star-hop the night sky
Stuck trying to find stars? Star-hopping is a tried and tested technique that will help you to navigate the sky.
Astronomy advice
Answers to some of the most commonly-asked cosmic questions
Why did it take so long for astronomers to discover Uranus?
Why was Uranus not known to ancient astronomers?
How many stars can a person see in the night sky?
When we look up at the night sky, how many stars can we see, and what magnitude can the human eye see unaided?
What came before the Big Bang? These are the best theories we have about the origin of the cosmos
We explore the theories about one of the most mind-boggling questions about the Universe.
Does the Moon look orange tonight? No, you're not seeing things! This is what causes it
What causes the Moon to appear a red, rusty colour?
Buyers' guides
Our pick of the best astronomy equipment
Best telescope mounts
On the hunt for a new telescope mount, or picking one to go with your first telescope? Read our guide to the best mounts, both budget models and high-end.
Best binoculars for astronomy
Binoculars are a great way of getting into astronomy and stargazing.
Buyer's guide | Best astro imaging cameras
Which cameras are best for astrophotography and what type should you buy? We'll guide you through the different types and the best cameras on the market.
Best beginners' telescopes
Looking to buy your first telescope but don't know where to start? We've picked out some of the best beginner telescopes on the market.
10 of the best wi-fi and smartphone telescopes
Our pick of the best telescopes operated via a smartphone or tablet.
Best telescopes for kids
Buying a telescope for children can be a tricky task. We've tested some of the best telescopes for kids and young people getting started in astronomy.
Astronomy equipment reviews
The latest telescopes, cameras, binoculars, mounts and accessories tried and tested.
This Sky-Watcher is one of the best beginner telescopes we've reviewed. And it even comes with its own app
A smartphone-controlled, beginner-friendly reflector boasting excellent views.
Celestron's powerful smart telescope has an upgrade. We got the chance to try out the brand new Mark II
A pricey but powerful smart scope that brings deep-sky targets alive instantly
A budget-friendly beginner telescope for photographing the night sky? We couldn't wait to try it out
Well-built and capable, this beginner scope punches well above its bargain price
Sky-Watcher's new budget telescope is a precision instrument for beginners. We got the chance to try it out
All-in-one astro imaging software promises to make processing a breeze. We got our expert to try it out
ON1 Photo RAW 2025.2 enables you to edit and sort your shots in one streamlined space
Vaonis Vespera Pro smart telescope review
Smart telescopes have opened a new, accessible avenue for newcomers to astronomy, providing an all-in-one platform for capturing those first stellar photons. The Vaonis Vespera Pro is the latest model in the Vespera line and builds on the features of its predecessor, the Vespera II. SQUIRREL_13609045 While the aperture and focal length are the same, the Vespera Pro boasts the larger Sony IMX676 colour sensor, which offers 12.5MP resolution versus the Vespera II’s 8.3MP. The pixel size of 2µm means a sampling rate of 1.6 arcseconds per pixel, which is perfect for average seeing conditions, so we were keen to
Podcasts
Radio Astronomy Podcast | Detecting spacetime ripples of black holes
Astronomers have detected evidence of gravitational waves from supermassive black holes at the centres of merging galaxies.
Podcast: The search for Earth 2.0
Astronomer Chris Impey discusses the search for habitable worlds beyond our Solar System.
Podcast | Lance Bass
We speak with Lance Bass - former member of boyband N'Sync - about his experience training as a cosmonaut and his new podcast The Last Soviet.
Astrophotography
How to photograph a conjunction of planets and the Moon
Read our beginner's guide and find out how to capture a beautiful astronomical conjunction with a smartphone or a camera.
How to photograph the Moon
How to take photos of the Moon: photograph a crescent, capture craters, what equipment you need, techniques, tips and photographing the Moon with a smartphone.
How to photograph an enormous Moon on the horizon
Lunar eclipses explained
What is a lunar eclipse and why do they happen? Discover the science of lunar eclipses and view amazing pictures of the rusty-red 'blood Moon'.
February 2026 planet alignment – brand new photos hint at what the planet parade will look like
A glimpse of the six-planet alignment, courtesy of one dedicated photographer
Gallery | Harvest Moon
What is a Harvest Moon, and and are they really worth the hype?
Astrophotography galleries
Gallery | Crescent Moon
A crescent Moon is a spectacular sight. Here are some of the top features to see on a waxing and waning crescent.
Eye On The Sky | 6 beautiful galaxy collisions seen by the Hubble Space Telescope
The study of galaxy collisions using the Hubble Space Telescope is revealing the secrets of star formation and galactic evolution.
Gallery | Venus
Facts about Venus and images of the hellish planet captured by astrophotographers.
Voyager's best images of the Solar System
Forty years ago, the twin Voyager spacecraft launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida, sending back beautiful images of our Solar System, the like of which had never been seen before.
Gallery | Kemble's Cascade
Advice on how to observe Kemble's Cascade, and images of the asterism.
Gallery | Caldwell 7
Images of and facts about Caldwell 7, a spiral galaxy in Camelopardalis.
Spaceflight
NASA is rolling the Artemis II rocket to the launchpad today. Here's how to watch the whole thing live
NASA is targeting a 1 April launch for the crewed lunar mission
Artemis II astronauts re-enter quarantine as NASA pushes ahead for 1 April launch
Another milestone in the first crewed mission to the Moon since Apollo
This NASA spacecraft has been photographing Jupiter and its moons for 10 years. Its images are jaw-dropping
The best images of Jupiter and its moons captured during one of NASA's most iconic missions
Solar storms could endanger the Artemis II astronauts. Here's how NASA plans to keep them safe
Travelling to the Moon and back is a risky business. Solar storms are one of the biggest threats to the upcoming crewed mission
We may be about to see an asteroid-mining gold rush. But here's why it could be a very bad idea
We examine the scramble to harvest metals from asteroids – and why we should think twice about it
NASA Mars rover's incredible image shows rays of sunlight through a bank of Martian clouds
The Martian rover has sent back an image of crepuscular rays shining through a bank of clouds on the Red Planet.
A 'wall of death' on the Moon could help astronauts prevent their bodies from wasting away
Could the classic circus stunt be the answer to helping lunar settlers exercise?
NASA's Space Shuttle: the history of the reusable spacecraft and its lasting legacy
NASA's Space Shuttle launched in 1981 and flew its final mission in 2011. Over three decades its 135 missions changed spaceflight forever.
DIY Astronomy
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?
Make a Moon phase calculator and calendar
Make a mechanical instrument that calculates and displays the phase of the Moon for any chosen day of the year.
How to build a rolling telescope dolly
Complete our astronomy DIY project to wheel your telescope setup in and out of storage without delay.
