One of the things I love most about the world of astronomy & space is its incredible variety and depth. With so much to get your head around, though, this richness can sometimes be a tad overwhelming, especially if you’re just starting out. It’s not a feeling that ever goes away completely, by the way – believe me. Even after twenty five years immersed in this amazing subject, I regularly encounter things that melt my brain!
In the short guides below I’ve tried to demystify the topics I’m most frequently asked about by beginners. Each guide is intended to be a simple introduction that you can use as a launchpad into a more detailed exploration. They’re certainly not exhaustive. Instead, I’ve tried to focus on the elements that I think are most important and interesting to a beginner. I hope you enjoy reading them and that you find them useful.
If you’d like to read my thoughts on choosing a first telescope, I’ve tried to summarise them in a brief note below.

The basics of astrophotography
Coming soon!

Our planetary family
Coming soon!

The science of the stars
Coming soon!