Science
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
The Giant Leap: Why Space is the Next Frontier in the Evolution of Life
“Earth is the cradle of humanity, but one cannot live in the cradle forever,” wrote Konstantin Tsiolkovsky in 1911.
1 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Tele Vue Nagler Type-7 series eyepieces
These premium optics were inspired by Apollo - and deliver a giant leap to your views
4 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Once Upon a Time in Space
While the Space Race of the Cold War years was ultimately a geopolitical contest between the USA and the Soviet Union, the rivalry sparked rapid innovation and inspired multiple generations to look skyward.
1 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
The Multiverse: When One Universe Isn't Enough
The concept of a 'multiverse' – the idea that our Universe may be just one of many – is widespread in science fiction and a common thread of online discussions.
1 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Q&A WITH A GAMMA RAY SPECIALIST
In 2025, astronomers detected a blast from space that lasted seven hours. Now they're uncovering the strange processes behind the exceptional outburst
3 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Astronomy Photographer of the Year
The world-leading astrophotography competition returns. Could your image take the top prize of £10,000?
2 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
MOONWATCH
February's top lunar feature to observe
2 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
NOVAStar Scarlet A62Q 62mm f/8.4 quadruplet achromatic refractor
Well-built and capable, this beginner scope punches well above its bargain price
4 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
STAR OF THE MONTH
Rasalas, Leo the Lion's metal-rich crown
1 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Comet 24P/Schaumasse
Having reached perihelion on 8 January, comet 24P/ Schaumasse is now fading. Starting the month at a small-telescope-friendly mag. +10.5, it dims throughout February to below 12th magnitude.
1 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Lunar tricks of the light
There are several well-timed clair-obscur (or trick-of-the-light) effects visible on the Moon this month, all clustered around the first quarter Moon which occurs on 24 February.
1 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
What happens to planets when their STAR DIES?
The Sun faces its fiery finale in five billion years. Keith Cooper asks: will the Solar System perish or could some worlds survive?
6 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Reveal Jupiter in a striking new light
Combine methane data with RGB to show its dynamic high-altitude clouds
3 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
The science of sci-fi spaceships
From Jules Verne to Avatar, Dallas Campbell traces how fiction shaped our dreams of space travel – and even drove real advances in rocket science
7 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
THE PLANETS
Our celestial neighbourhood in February
3 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Who invented the Southern Cross?
The smallest constellation - and one of the most celebrated - is Crux, the Southern Cross. Lost for centuries, then reborn as a guiding beacon for explorers, its story is told here by Ian Ridpath
8 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Is Russia out of the space race?
Damage to Russia's only crew launch pad throws its space programme into doubt
1 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Aliens on our doorstep
Could life be closer than we think? Ben Evans surveys the Solar System's likeliest hideouts - and what might live there
7 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
COMETS AND ASTEROIDS
Got a small scope? Follow large asteroid 511 Davida
1 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Moon events in February
Astronomy is a fascinating science that's based on observing. Some sights, such as those wonders located in the deep sky, are static, while others – like the motions of the planets and their moons – are dynamic.
2 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Turn back time on Jupiter
How to use de-rotation to freeze Jupiter's spin and get your sharpest pics yet
3 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Why our Sun doesn't have a twin
Most Sun-like stars orbit a partner, but ours ended up alone. We explain how- and why its lonely path set the stage for life
2 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Variability spotted in little red dots
A new image sees the same dot across a century... and it had changed
2 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Monster stars found in the early Universe
JWST data reveals ultramassive stars from the cosmic dawn, solving a 20-year mystery
1 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Dark matter 'seen' for the first time?
University of Tokyo team reports possible direct observation of dark matter in Fermi data
1 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Detecting meteors at home: Part 1
In the first of two parts, we show you how to build your own simple meteor detector
3 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Sparks fly in Mars's atmosphere
Perseverance detects first-ever electrical crackles from a dust devil
1 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Could fungi protect astronauts from radiation?
Radiation-eating fungus might form a living shield for future Mars settlers
1 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
The silent threat to Moon bases
Saving lunar settlers from rock strikes is all down to shielding and location
2 min |
February 2026
BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Extreme space weather grounds planes
Airbus orders urgent software update after solar radiation risk identified
1 min |