About WatchTheStars

I've been stargazing seriously for 10–15 years, observing from Bedfordshire — not ideal dark sky territory, but you learn to work with what you have. Light pollution teaches you to choose your targets carefully and appreciate what a truly clear night means.

My main instrument is a reflector telescope. Reflectors are workhorses: good aperture for the money, excellent for planets and bright deep-sky objects, and satisfying to set up and use manually. I'm not a fully automated observer — there's something I value about finding objects the slow way.

Over the years I've developed particular interests in planetary observation (Jupiter and Saturn are never boring), meteor showers, and tracking comets. I also try to keep the equipment section of this site grounded in what real UK observers with realistic budgets actually need — not a wishlist for somebody with a garden observatory.

UAP (unidentified aerial phenomena) is one of the most significant science-and-policy stories of the past decade — and one of the most poorly covered. I cover it because I think it deserves the same evidence-led treatment as any other story about what's happening in our skies.

My approach is the same as the astronomy side: I follow primary sources. That means congressional testimony, officially declassified documents, peer-reviewed research, and verified statements from credentialed witnesses. I don't print speculation dressed up as fact, and I try to be clear when something is established versus when it is still contested.

The disclosure landscape has changed dramatically since 2017. The US government has formally acknowledged the existence of UAP programmes, released declassified footage, and — as of 2023–2026 — seen multiple congressional hearings under oath. These are public record. I cover them as I would cover any other significant development in science or public policy.

You can find all UAP coverage in the UAP Research section.

WatchTheStars covers the full range of amateur astronomy: planet watching, meteor showers, constellation guides, equipment reviews, space news, and weekly night sky guides timed specifically for UK latitudes. Everything is written for people who are genuinely curious rather than already expert.

I also run the Tonight Stargazing Tool — a free alert system that tells you when something worth stepping outside for is happening in the UK sky. Enter your postcode and it does the rest.