Practical, UK-focused guides to the skills every amateur astronomer picks up — from your first night with a telescope to catching the aurora
Knowing what's up there is one thing. Actually finding it, seeing it well, and coming home with a photo is another. These astronomy how-to guides cover the practical side of the hobby: the techniques that turn a cold night in a field into the reason you took it up.
Every guide is written for UK skies and UK conditions. If you're brand new, start with our complete beginners guide first, then come back here when you're ready to level up.
How to See the Northern Lights in the UK
Aurora alerts, the Kp index explained, and how to actually catch a display — we're in the best aurora years in two decades.
How to Use a Telescope for the First Time
Just unboxed a telescope? The three fixes that rescue most first nights, and a step-by-step plan for your first session.
How to Photograph the Night Sky with Your Phone
Your phone can photograph the stars — the trick is holding it still. Settings, night mode, and what's realistically achievable.
How to Photograph the Moon
Camera and phone settings that work, why the Moon looks tiny in your photos, and how to fix the white-blob problem.
How to See the Milky Way in the UK
When and where our own galaxy is visible from the UK, what it really looks like, and how to plan a night around it.
How to Polar Align a Telescope Mount
The step that intimidates every new EQ mount owner, made simple. Rough alignment takes two minutes — here's how, and when you need more.
How to Spot the ISS Tonight
The Space Station outshines everything but the Moon, and free alerts tell you exactly when to look up. No kit needed.
How to Collimate a Telescope
Soft, mushy views? Your mirrors have shifted. Collimation is a five-minute fix with a £4 tool — and you can't break anything.
Binocular Astronomy: How to Stargaze with Binoculars
Moon craters, Jupiter's moons, star clusters and galaxies — what a humble pair of 10×50s really shows you, and how to hold them steady.
How to Observe the Sun Safely
Eclipse glasses, solar filters and projection — the only safe ways to watch the Sun, ready for August's deepest UK eclipse since 1999.
Telescope Magnification Explained
Which eyepiece to use and when, the simple maths behind magnification, and why more power usually makes the view worse.