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Guides

Plain-language guides to seeing more of the sky, written for real backyards, balconies and city skies.

Getting started

Stargazing for beginnersA practical first night under the stars: when to go out, what to bring, how to find your way with three star patterns, and what to look at first.7 min read · Beginner Why can’t I see it?Cataloged, above the horizon, observable, within reach of your equipment, clear of your rooftops and clouds: the six things that decide whether you can see an object.6 min read · Beginner

Planets and the Moon

How to find planets in the night skyHow to tell a planet from a star, where planets can and can’t appear, why some are only seen at dusk or dawn, and what each one looks like.6 min read · Beginner

Equipment

Binoculars or telescope: what to start withWhat binoculars and telescopes actually show, what the numbers mean, which types suit beginners, and a sensible first purchase for different situations.6 min read · Beginner

Sky conditions

Dark adaptation and light pollutionHow your eyes adapt to the dark and how to protect it, what light pollution and moonlight do to the sky, and how much a darker site really helps.6 min read · Beginner

Meteor showers and events

How to watch a meteor showerWhen to go out, where to look, why the Moon and the hour matter, what ZHR really means, and how to see as many meteors as possible.5 min read · Beginner