top of page
Apr 28, 20232 min read
What is a light year?
A light-year is the distance that light travels in one Julian year, which is 365.25 days, as defined by the International Astronomical...
Apr 14, 20235 min read
Locating Objects Using SynScan® hand controller
Locating Messier Objects A. Choosing an object Press the M shortcut key on the hand control, which will display ‘Messier catalog/Messier...
Apr 7, 20231 min read
What is a parsec?
A parsec (pc) is a unit of length used to measure large astronomical distances outside our Solar System. It is approximately equal to...
Mar 31, 20232 min read
Solar system, galaxy and the universe; what's the difference?
What is the Universe? The universe contains everything that we have discovered; it is the whole cosmos, which is believed to have been...
Mar 12, 20231 min read
What are the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights are actually caused by activity on the surface of the Sun. Solar storms on the Sun’s surface emit clouds of...
Mar 5, 20231 min read
Northern Lights 27/02/23
On the 27th of February 2023, there was a high alert for auroras, meaning the Northern Lights were likely to be visible. Because this is...
Jan 14, 20231 min read
What is a solar eclipse?
Solar eclipses happen only when there is a new moon, and when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun. The Moon casts a shadow on...
Jan 4, 20231 min read
What is a lunar eclipse?
Lunar eclipses can occur during the full moon. When the Earth is in the position between the Moon and Sun, Earth’s shadow falls on the...
Dec 21, 20222 min read
Partial Solar Eclipse - 25/10/22
On October 25th 2022, a partial solar eclipse occurred, that I was lucky enough to witness with my family. We found a park on a hill that...
Nov 24, 20221 min read
The National Space Centre - 24/10/22
Recently, I visited the National Space Centre with my cousins, who are 9 and 11. I would certainly recommend it for everyone, even if you...
Oct 27, 20222 min read
What is a supermoon?
The term 'supermoon' was thought up in 1979 and it describes the occurrence when the Moon's orbit is closest to Earth (perigee) at the...
Oct 27, 20221 min read
Supermoon sighting
On the 13th July 2022, my dad and I found the perfect spot to see the supermoon from. This was the largest full moon of 2022 and it was...
Oct 27, 20224 min read
Learning how to use SynScan
Using SynScan The telescope should be setup in the home position. SynScan has two operating modes: Full-feature mode - the hand control...
Oct 27, 20223 min read
Get your telescope ready for use!
Aligning the finderscope Choose an object 500+ yards away Point the main telescope at the object and adjust so that the object is in the...
Oct 27, 20223 min read
Setting up your telescope
Recently I have acquired a new telescope - the Skywatcher Explorer 150PDS with an EQ3-2 mount and tripod. The EQ stands for equatorial,...
bottom of page