Stargazing Questions
Ten questions newcomers ask most, answered in order from first night outside to spacecraft.
Getting Started
Do I need a telescope to start stargazing?
No. Learn the constellations by eye first, then add binoculars such as 7x50 or 10x50. Our Step 01 shows you how to find Polaris and the seasonal signposts.
What is the best first telescope?
For most beginners, a 6- or 8-inch Dobsonian reflector offers the best balance of aperture, simplicity and price. See the comparison table.
Can I stargaze from a city?
Yes. The Moon, bright planets, double stars and bright clusters cut through light pollution. Faint galaxies and the Milky Way need darker skies, ideally Bortle 4 or better.
Reading the Sky
How can I tell a planet from a star?
Planets usually shine with a steady light, stay near the ecliptic and shift position against the stars over days and weeks.
When are the best meteor showers?
The Perseids peak around 12 August and the Geminids around 13 to 14 December. Watch after midnight from a dark site; no optics needed, just a reclining chair.
How do I see the International Space Station?
Check NASA's Spot the Station service for passes. The ISS appears as a bright, steady light crossing the sky in a few minutes, usually around dawn or dusk when it is still sunlit overhead.
Worlds and Missions
Why is Pluto no longer a planet?
On 24 August 2006 the International Astronomical Union defined a planet as a body that orbits the Sun, is rounded by its own gravity and has cleared its orbital neighbourhood. Pluto has not cleared its neighbourhood, so it is classified as a dwarf planet. More in Step 03.
How long does it take light from the Sun to reach Earth?
About 8 minutes and 20 seconds on average, across roughly 149.6 million km.
Can I photograph the night sky with a phone?
Yes. Use a tripod and the phone's night mode or a manual camera app with exposures of several seconds. For the Moon, hold the phone carefully over a telescope eyepiece.
Is it safe to look at the Sun through a telescope?
Never without a certified solar filter fitted securely over the front of the telescope. Unfiltered sunlight through binoculars or a telescope causes instant, permanent eye damage.