Start here · Essential guide
Stargazing for Beginners: Ideas, Gear and Best Times
New to stargazing? Learn when to go, what to bring, how to find dark skies and what to look at first, with simple ideas for your first nights under the stars.
Astronomy & stargazing
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Practical astronomy guides: stargazing basics, choosing and using a telescope, eyepieces, collimation, planets, deep sky objects and astrophotography.
89 in-depth guides
17 topics
Oct 2026 latest guide
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Guides to start with
Each one links on to more specific articles in its topic.
How a Star Differs From a Planet
Learn how a star differs from a planet: how each makes or reflects light, size and mass, twinkling, motion, and simple ways to tell them apart in the night sky.
Most Famous Constellations and How to Find Them
Meet the most famous star constellations, from Orion and the Big Dipper to Crux, with simple tips for finding each one by season and from your latitude.
Seeing Planets With a Telescope
What each planet looks like through a backyard telescope, which are easiest to find, and how to set up, choose magnification and get sharper views.
What Does It Look Like Through a Telescope? Real Expectations
What you will actually see through a telescope: the Moon, planets, stars, galaxies and nebulae, and why the eyepiece view differs from space photos.
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Stargazing & Observing
Stargazing basics, stars, constellations, planets and deep sky objects.
Stargazing Basics 5 guides, starting with Stargazing for Beginners: Ideas, Gear and Best Times. 5 guides Stars & Sky 4 guides, starting with How a Star Differs From a Planet. 4 guides Constellations & Lore 6 guides, starting with Most Famous Constellations and How to Find Them. 6 guides Planet Observing 6 guides, starting with Seeing Planets With a Telescope. 6 guides Deep Sky Observing 4 guides, starting with What Does It Look Like Through a Telescope? Real Expectations. 4 guides
Choosing a Telescope
Telescope types, buying advice, Dobsonians, optics, eyepieces and filters.
Telescope Types 7 guides, starting with Telescope Types Explained. 7 guides Choosing a Telescope 6 guides, starting with How to Pick a Good Telescope: A Buyer’s Guide. 6 guides Dobsonian Telescopes 5 guides, starting with Dobsonian Telescope for Beginners: Why It Is a Great First Scope. 5 guides Telescope Optics & Specs 6 guides, starting with What Is Aperture on a Telescope? Why Size Matters. 6 guides Eyepieces & Finders 5 guides, starting with Telescope Eyepieces Guide: Types, Sizes and Choices. 5 guides Telescope Filters 3 guides, starting with Telescope Filters Guide: Which Ones Are Worth Buying. 3 guides
Setup & Care
Setting up and using a telescope, collimation, care and troubleshooting.
Telescope Setup & Use 8 guides, starting with How to Use a Telescope Step by Step for Beginners. 8 guides Telescope Collimation 4 guides, starting with Telescope Collimation Guide. 4 guides Telescope Care Troubleshooting 6 guides, starting with Telescope Troubleshooting: Common Problems and Fixes. 6 guides
Astrophotography
Night sky photography, telescope astrophotography and image processing.
Night Sky Photography 4 guides, starting with Night Sky Photography: Camera Settings and Techniques. 4 guides Telescope Astrophotography 7 guides, starting with Astrophotography With a Telescope: Getting Started. 7 guides Astro Image Processing 3 guides, starting with Star Reduction in PixInsight. 3 guides