Pillar one
Learn the sky
Everything you need to start, explained without jargon. Assume you've never heard any of these words before — we'll build from there.
Meteor showers: when to look up, what you're seeing
Shooting stars are not stars, and they're not uncommon. A practical guide to meteor showers. What they actually are, when to watch, and how to see as many as possible.
What is a galaxy, and why the Milky Way is special
Galaxies are where stars live. Our own, the Milky Way, is one of an estimated two trillion. We see it from the inside every clear, dark night.
How to read the night sky by season
The stars overhead change with the time of year. Here's why, and a simple, memorable set of landmarks for spring, summer, autumn, and winter nights.
Why the sky is dark at night (and what it tells us about the universe)
The night sky is dark. Obviously. Except, for centuries, 'why is the sky dark?' was one of the deepest unsolved questions in science. And the answer is about the origin of the universe itself.
The planets of our solar system: a warm-up tour
Eight planets, very different personalities. A short, friendly introduction to each one. What makes it worth knowing about, and when you can see it from your back garden.
Choosing your first telescope: an honest beginner's guide
Most first telescopes disappoint their owners. Not because astronomy is disappointing, but because the telescope was the wrong one. Here's what to buy and what to avoid.
Phases of the moon: what's really happening up there
Crescents, quarters, and gibbous. Why the moon changes shape, and the surprisingly simple geometry behind every phase you'll ever see.
What is a light year? (Distances in space, explained simply)
A light year is not a unit of time. It's a distance. Here's what it actually measures, why astronomers use it, and why every time you look up, you're seeing the past.
The difference between planets and stars (and how to tell them apart)
Both look like bright dots. But planets and stars are fundamentally different objects, and with a few quick tests, you can tell them apart with your eyes alone.
What you can actually see with the naked eye
Before buying a telescope, it helps to know how much the human eye alone can show you. The answer is: more than you think. Here's the honest inventory.
Your first constellation: how to spot Orion
Orion is the easiest constellation to find in the night sky. Once you've found him, you can use him to find everything else. A step-by-step guide for absolute beginners.
How to find the moon tonight (and why it looks different every night)
The moon is the easiest thing in the sky to find, once you know when to look. A short, friendly guide to predicting where the moon will be and why it keeps changing.