Both Uranus and Neptune remain to be fairly unknown in comparison to the nearer terrestrial planets, and we struggle to see them with a telescope. Whilst you may occasionally be able to spot Uranus in the night sky, it’s difficult as it’s so far away and it’s not the brightest planet either – and don’t…
The Dobsonian is one type of mount, while the Schmidt-Cassegrain and the Newtonian are different configurations of the optics inside the telescope. The Dobsonian is one type of mount, while the Schmidt-Cassegrain and Newtonian are different configurations of the optics inside the telescope. Personally, I and many others would recommend investing in a Dobsonian reflector…
With a radius ranging from 1,530 to 2,550 solar radii, it may probably be the largest star in the Universe if the latter end of the spectrum is closer to reality. With a radius ranging from 1,530 to 2,550 solar radii, it may probably be the largest star in the Universe if the latter end…
As the second planet out from the Sun, Venus is the easiest planet for us to see from the planet Earth – and because of this, it’s often the most discussed amongst astronomers too. This is by and large down to its brightness, and from its fiery surface to its crazy atmosphere, there are many…
I took a series of test images using a new Canon T4i (650D) for comparing to test images of other Canon DSLR models popular for astro imaging and DSLR astrophotography. The test images include long exposure dark frames and also images in bulb mode to compare long exposures for sensitivity. Some info on the T4i…
The planet Mercury is so close to the Sun that you’d assume it’s the hottest planet in our entire solar system. The truth is that actually it isn’t though it’s still pretty hot in comparison to the other planets that orbit around the Sun. We already know that Mercury is the fastest planet in our…
Many people get confused between the difference between twilight and dusk. Whilst they’re around the same period of time as each other, we generally refer to them as different periods of time when the Sun is falling below our horizon. And when the Sun begins to drop beneath the horizon, these different twilight types begin…
As the closest planet to us, people often wonder just how close Venus is. The truth is that in reality and in comparison to what we know on Earth, it’s still a very long way away. But in space terms, it’s actually pretty close; Venus is the brightest planet in our sky for a reason,…
Whether you use a telescope, binoculars or the naked eye, cold, windless nights offer the best observing conditions. But how do you know what you’re seeing? If you want to get a little more intimate with the heavens, here are 13 tips from astronomers to take your stargazing to the next level. The app also…
As one of the furthest planets from the Sun, mysterious Uranus still has a lot of unanswered questions about it. Due to the large distance between us and the planet, it’s not exactly the most accessible for us to learn about. Fortunately, thanks to the Voyager 2 mission which passed Uranus in the mid 1980s,…
You’ve probably heard of both meteors and meteorites, as well as a whole host of other objects that are out there in our solar system. However, it can be very difficult to keep up with all this, and even know what the differences between them are. The truth is that in many cases, they represent…
We all know that Jupiter is the largest of the 8 planets in our solar system, but most people aren’t aware of just how far it would be for us to travel there. We’re constantly talking about going to Mars, and Jupiter is just the next planet along from there, right? Well, whilst it is…
As the fifth planet out from the Sun, Jupiter is definitely some distance out from the center of our solar system. And in comparison to Earth, you may actually be surprised by just how far out it is. But exactly how far is the planet Jupiter from the big ball of gas that we all…
A common question amongst astronomers is the long term fate amongst some of our planets. Of course, our greatest concern is for our planet Earth, as there are those that say our planet will meet it’s demise in the distant future. However, between us and the Sun are two other planets, Venus and the planet…
Mercury is the first planet from the Sun, and one of the closest planets to us on Earth. This is especially true if you compare it to the ice giants Uranus and Neptune, which are much further out from the Sun. However, even though Mercury is relatively close to us, it can still be very…
Throughout the years, every planet has been depicted as a different color to what it truly is. Jupiter is often seen as red, and Saturn is often shown as being purple in comics and magazines. Another planet you’ve probably seen in a range of different colors in Venus, which I’ve seen represented by the colors…
Uranus and Neptune are the two furthest planets from the Sun, and they’re often lumped in together with each other, much like Jupiter and Saturn are. And the main reasons for this is that there are a lot of similarities between the two planets, as they’re more alike than they are different. This is probably…
We all know that Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun. With its hot and cold temperatures and small size, it’s one of the most difficult planets to spot when looking up into the night sky. However, Mercury is actually not that far away from Earth. However, just how long does it take Mercury…
After the sun begins to set, you always want to know just how much time you have before it really gets dark. Whether you’ve left the dog at home alone, or you’re wondering how long you’ll have to wait before you can get a good look at the night sky, it’s a good idea to…
Lost time is especially vexing because, in a universe full of mysteries, its age has been regarded as one of the few near certainties. For Bond, the similarities between the age of the universe and the age of this nearby old star, both determined by different methods of analysis, is an astonishing scientific achievement that…
Have you ever held a magnifying glass up to the sun, watching in awe as the sunlight passes through it and creates a tiny ball of fire? It’s an amazing experience that leaves most of us wondering: how does this work? To answer that question, we need to explore the science behind magnifying glasses and…
Have you ever looked up at the sky and wondered how big a meteor is? Have you ever seen a shooting star and wished that one day you could touch its surface or even hold it in your hands? If so, then this article is for you. Here we will uncover the mysterious size of…
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what it would be like to witness a meteor streaking across the stars? If so, you’re not alone. Every year, meteors hurtle through our atmosphere at incredibly fast speeds – some as quick as 25 miles per second! In this article, we’ll explore just…
Are you a beginner shooter looking to make sure your scope is properly mounted? Well, measuring scope ring height can be a tricky process. If you’re not familiar with the ins and outs of gunsmithing, it can seem like an intimidating task. But don’t worry! This step-by-step guide will walk you through exactly how to…