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Water, Water, Everywhere?
Penny Wozniakiewicz investigates why astronomers are so concerned with finding water in the Solar System, and why it is vital to our exploration of space
O&A WITH AN ECLIPSE CHASER
On 14 October 2023, an annular eclipse passed across mainland USA. Comedian and stargazer Jon Culshaw was there to witness it
Bresser ISA Space Exploration NASA 70/700 AZ telescope
This beginners' package has everything you need to see the Sun, Moon and planets
Ursa Major 6-inch f/8 Planetary Dobsonian
A decent option for would-be planetary observers on a limited budget
Use freeware to create star trail images
How to turn your frames into beautiful star trail photos in a few clicks
Venus's hostile atmosphere
Katrin Raynor takes a look at a planet where the skies boil and the clouds rain acid
Build your EYEPIECE COLLECTION
Great eyepieces are crucial to any astronomical setup. Here Tim Jardine arms you with the info you need to choose the best ones to invest in
THE BIG THREE
The top sights to observe or image this month
The remains of CREATION UNDERSTANDING THE CMB
Left over from the Big Bang, the cosmic microwave background gives astronomers an insight into the entire history of our Universe. Ezzy Pearson explains
A December GRAND TOUR
Just like the epic journeys of the Voyager probes to our Solar System's outer planets, this tour takes you to the gas and ice giants as they line up in the night sky this month. Stuart Atkinson is your guide
Same stars, different stories
Maggie Aderin-Pocock considers how other cultures interpret the night sky
INSIDE THE SKY AT NIGHT
Host of science podcast The Infinite Monkey Cage Robin Ince joined his co-host Brian Cox on the November episode of The Sky at Night
Swirling supernova's secret sibling
A companion could be responsible for Puppis A's overlapping rings
No call for sea legs on Titan
Expect to find gentle breezes and calm seas on Saturn's largest moon
Plans for an all-UK space mission set in motion
Four British astronauts could soon be heading into orbit
Rare cosmic explosion deepens a mystery
One of the Universe's brightest outbursts seen in an unexpected location
THREE'S COMPANY
Galaxy pair Arp-Madore 2339-661 is actually a galaxy trio
When it comes to lighting, less is more
Patricia Yanez on designing considerate lighting for a luxury Red Sea resort
Early Universe seen running slow
Cosmic clocks appear to run slower soon after the Big Bang, just as Einstein predicted
Mastering flats
Adding DSLR flat frames to your workflow to improve your deep-sky images
Make a Solar System diorama
An easy, fun craft project to learn about our neighbouring planets
Star-hopping
Steve Tonkin explains an easy technique to navigate your way around the night sky
The rock hunter RETURNS
As OSIRIS-REx becomes the latest spacecraft to bring back samples from another world, Ezzy Pearson examines how these missions help reveal our Solar System's history
Lights in the darkness Photographing the aurora
Wilderness photographer Valtteri Hirvonen - who spends nearly half the year in darkness in his native Finland - reveals how he found new inspiration in the Northern Lights
Capturing a first: the Spin Nebula
Amateur astronomers work collaboratively to produce first high-resolution image of little-known nebula He 2-11
10 targets to get you started in astrophotography
From star trails to your first planets, Tom Kerss shares 10 inspiring projects to kick off your night photography journey
Highlights of the autumn skies
From returning favourites to unmissable one-off events, Katrin Raynor picks out the best night-sky sights coming up in the months ahead
Askar 130PHQ flatfield apo refractor
If you've got the budget, this hefty refractor's got fine views and a deluxe feel
Create your best image of Saturn
Great pictures of the ringed planet start as video, before stacking and processing
Image a fisheye Milky Way
Ultra-wide-angle lenses capture our Galaxy crossing the whole sky. Here's what to consider