Start your exciting astronomical adventure with Stargazing Live magazine. Join the team on location Down Under, then begin to unravel the mysteries of the Universe with our essential beginner’s guides to exploring the night sky, the equipment you’ll need to get started (surprisingly little) and how to observe the most spectacular celestial sights awaiting you this spring.

INTRODUCTION

ON LOCATION WITH STARGAZING LIVE • Discover the southern hemisphere; from the best sights in the sky to historic observatories to visit

OUTBACK ADVENTURE • The dark skies of the vast Australian outback offer an unforgettable observing experience

SIGNPOST SOUTH • Top constellations for amateurs learning to navigate the southern hemisphere sky

THE BIG DEBATE • North or south – which half of the night sky has the best celestial sights? Here are some of the gems each hemisphere has to offer so you can decide…

LIVE ON LOCATION • This year, the Stargazing Live team visit Siding Spring Observatory in the remote New South Wales outback

THE BIG DISH • Australia’s place in radio astronomy was established by this iconic landmark over 56 years ago

KNOW STARGAZING • Understanding the basics of astronomy and the night sky will help you to make sense of the Universe as you observe its many marvels

THE STARRY SKY • There are patterns in the skies that have been observed, and made legends of, for millennia

STARTER STAR PATTERNS • Key constellations for amateurs exploring the northern hemisphere

STAR LIGHT STAR BRIGHT • Knowing that not all stars are the same brightness helps to navigate the night sky

TOP 10 BRIGHTEST • Look out for the most brilliant bodies in the northern hemisphere’s night sky

A MOVING PICTURE • As Earth spins on its axis the stars appear to march across the sky

EARTH’S JOURNEY AROUND THE SUN • As it orbits the Sun, Earth spins on a tilted axis. Either the northern or southern hemisphere gets more direct sunlight, causing the seasons

THE MOON • Discover the phases of our planet’s only natural satellite

THE MOON’S PHASES • The Moon’s appearance changes depending on where it is in relation to the Earth and Sun

THE PLANETS • Our closest neighbours are popular targets for astronomers

PLANET SPOTTING • Discover the best times to observe the inferior and superior planets

THE INNER PLANETS • These worlds are mostly made up of metals or silicate rocks

THE OUTER GAS GIANTS • These distant worlds include the Solar System’s largest

ICY WANDERERS • Spectacular comets may be visible only once in a lifetime

FAMOUS COMETS • Dominating the sky or the landing site for a probe, these are the best-known comets

SHOOTING STARS • Spotting a meteor streaking across the sky is a truly captivating sight to behold

WHEN EARTH MEETS THE SUN

GLOWING AURORA • Magical aurorae show Earth’s connection to the Sun and the wider solar system

AURORAL STRUCTURES

THE DEEP SKY • Beyond our cosmic backyard, lie billions of galaxies, star clusters and glowing nebulae

START STARGAZING • The lowdown on what equipment you need and how to get started on your astronomical adventure

MAPPING THE NIGHT SKY • The celestial sphere is a system of imaginary lines that allows us to navigate the heavens

RA AND DEC. EXPLAINED

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TRACKING THE ECLIPTIC

HOW TO GET THE BEST VIEW • It might surprise you to know that it’s not just the weather that affects how well you can see the stars and planets

YOUR LIMITING...