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.
We got the chance to try out ZWO's new smart telescope. Our expert put the Seestar S30 Pro to the test
With better sensors and optics, this upgrade has serious imagers in its sights
Better than beginner telescopes? We couldn't believe how good these low-budget binoculars are for stargazing
Sturdy budget-friendly binos that outperform beginner telescopes
These Apollo-inspired eyepieces come at a hefty price, but the views are like being in lunar orbit
These premium optics were inspired by Apollo – and deliver a giant leap to your views
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
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
This is the only solar eclipse photograph guide you need. How to capture the perfect eclipse image
Capture totality with our solar eclipse photography guide
ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year | See the 2026 shortlisted images
See the shortlisted images of the 2026 competition
A student sent a camera into space to photograph the invisible energy of the Universe. This is what he captured
Experiment involved launching film negatives more than 121,000 feet into the stratosphere
The Strawberry Moon like you've never seen it before. Photographer uses clever trick to show full Moon drifting across the sky
A beautiful image of the rising Moon above Jal Mahal, using a photographic technique known as 'lunar drift'.
There are strange, shining clouds visible in the sky at the moment. Here's how to photograph them with your smartphone
Coax your phone’s camera into low-light mode and catch ethereal noctilucent clouds.
Photograph a full Moon as it rises and capture one of nature's greatest spectacles. Here's how to do it
Astrophotography galleries
Gallery | Uranus
A guide to the icy ringed giant
Gallery | Planes in front of the Sun and Moon
A gallery of images of planes passing in front of the solar or lunar disc.
NASA's Cassini spacecraft's best images of Saturn and its moons
The NASA Cassini mission captured beautiful images of Saturn, its rings and its moons.
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'.
Gallery | Harvest Moon
What is a Harvest Moon, and and are they really worth the hype?
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.
Spaceflight
Phew! 8 times astronauts diced with death and got away with it – showing just how dangerous spaceflight really is
These space missions turned into catastrophes but their astronauts survived. This is how they lived to tell the tale
We get humans to Mars. What then? Here's what we'll really do on the Red Planet – and why it could solve the greatest mystery in science
NASA-backed study has revealed the realities of humanity’s first crewed missions to Mars. It starts with simply surviving the day…
"Turn the sound on for the full experience" - you need to see this mesmerising aurora video captured from space
A European Space Agency astronaut has filmed aurora from the Space Station
Strange 'space balls' found on Australian beaches could be debris from rocket launches
Discovered rocket debris could be part of a growing trend, say experts
Space elevators could one day exist, transporting us off-Earth with the push of a button. Here's how they would work
We look at the science behind building an elevator to take us into space
Humans will evolve differently on Mars. This is how science says our bodies will transform on the Red Planet
Scott Solomon is an evolutionary biologist. We spoke to him about what our descendants in future settlements on the Red Planet might look like
The Moon is a death trap: These are the life-threatening dangers awaiting astronauts on the lunar surface
If we’re ever going to build a base on the Moon, we’ll need to be able to manage a range of threats to human life
Artemis II is already changing what we know about the Moon. I'm a geologist – this is how the mission science is unlocking key lunar secrets
What Artemis II’s mission to the Moon could reveal about our lunar companion
DIY Astronomy
Dirty binoculars? Simple hacks to clean them and get them back to giving you tip-top views
There’s more to keeping delicate optical devices clean than spit and polish. Find out how to keep your binoculars clean with our DIY guide.
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.
