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
Gravitational lens
A massive celestial object, like a galaxy, that curves space-time around it to such an extent that it bends the path of light from distant bright objects like quasars. This phenomenon was predicted by Albert Einstein in his general theory of relativity.
Meteor trail
Sometimes a meteor leaves a trail of material as it passes through the Earth’s atmosphere. This ionised material glows for a brief moment before fading and is known as a meteor trail, or train.
Eclipse mapping
A technique used to indirectly map the surface of an eclipsing binary star, to look for starspots and make other studies by using Doppler imaging.
