Stuart Atkinson, Author at Astronomy.com

Observing, Telescopes and Equipment

Best astronomy apps for stargazing in 2025

Ursa Major constellation

Explore the Big Dipper this winter

The Skull Nebula

Deep-Sky Objects, Observing

Five ‘shy,’ lesser-known deep-sky gems to observe

A telescope and the darkening sky

Astronomy for beginners, Observing

Learn the difference between common astronomical terms

Winter Constellations

Observing, Stars

Five almost-famous stars worth gazing at

Late summer is a great time to take a visual trip along our Milky Way. Credit: Stuart Atkinson.

Take a summer road trip along the Milky Way

Noctilucent clouds, or NLC, appear in the sky during the summer months in stunning displays. Credit: Stuart Atkinson

Observing, Upcoming Events

How to see noctilucent clouds, a dazzling sight in summer skies

The International Space Station is seen in this 30 second exposure as it flies over Virginia in 2015. Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls.

How and when to see the ISS, without a telescope

Procyon.

5 lesser-known stars that are worth the time and attention

Captured in astounding detail by ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), the eerie Skull Nebula is showcased in this image in beautiful pink and red tones. This planetary nebula, also known as NGC 246, is the first known to be associated with a pair of closely bound stars orbited by a third outer star.

Deep-Sky Objects, Observing

The Shy Five: Lesser known deep-sky objects worth seeking out

The lunar nearside

Every Full Moon, you can see the craters made famous in 2001: A Space Odyssey

Geminid meteor shower 2022

Observing, Upcoming Events

How to see the Geminid meteor shower this week