Marcus 
You see the Milky Way as a hazy band of lights stretching across the night sky. Here’s what to know about the Milky Way, especially in the number of stars and what we can or can’t see as backyard astronomers. The Milky Way is made up of various types of matter, including stars, gas, and … Read more
Wondering where and how to observe a meteor shower so you don’t miss out, then this post has you covered with tips for watching meteor showers, including the equipment and tips on getting the best views… What are Meteor Showers? If you’ve ever looked up at the night sky and seen a streak of light … Read more
For a fun family activity, at certain points in time and space you can try spotting the International Space Station (ISS) as it orbits the Earth. Here’s a quick guide on the how, when, where, and why of observing this space station. The sighting opportunities to spot the ISS from Earth range from a few … Read more
If you enjoy observing the night sky, then you’ll definitely want to check out these tips on how to get the best views of planets overhead. For me, with a good telescope and a clear dark sky, I get to see Jupiter’s colourful bands and Saturn’s iconic rings. I’ve discovered the following on getting the … Read more
With the help of night-sky apps, you can take your astronomy hobby to the next level and deepen your understanding and appreciation of the universe. Here I look at 10 popular apps for exploring the night sky. As a backyard astronomer, I find, apart from using hardcopy sky maps and a planisphere, having a relevant … Read more
There are many reasons to invest in a good set of binoculars for exploring the night sky. With a good pair of binoculars and a clear night sky, you can explore the stars, planets, and galaxies in a whole new way. Here, I cover what to know about using binoculars for stargazing and include tips … Read more
When choosing binoculars or spotting scopes, you’ll notice different glass types mentioned. Which glass is better for image quality? BaK-4 offers a brighter and rounded image compared to BK-7 but is more expensive of the two. The K-9 type is equivalent to BK-7. Prism Glass Types You’ll find different types of prism glass in binoculars, … Read more
Are you ready for the ultimate showdown in optical coatings? In one corner, we have Fully Broadband, boasting its wide range of benefits. And in the other corner, we have Ultra-Wide Band, claiming its superiority in clarity and contrast. Let’s explore the pros and cons of each contender and see who comes out on top! … Read more
When choosing telescope eyepieces or binoculars you’ll likely come across different types of optical coatings and wonder what’s the best optical coating for astronomy. If like me, you as a novice backyard astronomer may find it confusing knowing what each means for the view you get through your instrument. The following is what I’ve since … Read more
Why do stars twinkle? Stars appear to twinkle because of the atmospheric turbulence that’s everywhere blanketing the Earth, causing the pinpoint of light emitted by the star to flicker. Stars twinkle because of turbulence in our atmospheric — different currents, temperature, and density between atmospheric layers. These irregularities distort the starlight passing through, causing its … Read more