Astronomy for Beginners
New to astronomy? Not sure how to get started in stargazing or which telescope to buy?
Here’s where you’ll find observing guides, how-to articles and great astronomy hints and tips. Don’t forget to check out our comprehensive astronomy dictionary.
General Guides
'How To' Guides
Astronomy Dictionary
Protoplanetary disc
The disc of gas and dust surrounding a newly formed star. New planets may form in the protoplanetary disc.
Diffraction-limited optics
The theoretical limit of the resolving power of a telescope’s optics. This limitation arises because the diffraction, or bending, of light as it passes through the aperture of a telescope causes a star to be observed as a bright disc (the Airy disc) with bright rings around it, rather than a point of light.
Meteor
A small piece of space debris entering the Earth’s atmosphere. It travels so fast it compresses the air ahead of it. This causes it to glow and creates a streak across the night sky.
