YOUR SPACE
Let us know what you are thinking about the magazine and the Universe. Join the conversation via Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Or simply write to us at yourspace@astronomynow.com. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.
Smartscope beginners
I’m pleased to see the changes you have done to the magazine, and it is good to see a section on monthly targets to image for smartscope users. However, it would be good to see an article, or monthly feature on a beginners guide to processing images taken with a smartscope.
Whilst I have been a visual observer for some time, I have recently purchased a smartscope and due to the pace of modern life with work and young kids, I do not have the time to go deep into image processing. I feel that the monthly imaging masterclass is good but aimed at people with more experience.
I therefore believe that by having a beginners section on image processing would be beneficial to a lot of people, for beginners and due to the fact that smartscopes will get more popular. Rob Harpe
Stuart: Have you been listening in to our editorial meetings, Rob? We agree with everything you say about smartscopes and the need to serve this growing sector of the astronomical community. Watch this space!
Binocular joy
Stuart Atkinson’s 2026 Yearbook article is excellent. I cannot afford a telescope but since 2013 have used a pair of Celestron 15×70 Skywatchers which cost me only £75 and I can see all the planets and Galilean moons with them well. You don’t need expensive gadgetry – only a pair of eyes!
Conversely to Ian Shering ( January issue) I like the calendar better, having little use for the wall chart. Can we have more of the posters you used to enclose? Gerard Tall
Stuart: We are actively discussing now what special editions and other goodies to bring our readers later this year. Posters are certainly on the agenda as and when the opportunity arises.
What astronomical wonders are you most looking forward to in 2026?
100
80
60
%
40
20
0
Astronomical wonders
(e.g. Eclipses, meteor showers)
New data releases
(e.g. Euclid, Gaia)
Space exploration milestones
(e.g. Artemis, BepiColombo arriving at Mercury, Hera, Hayabusa2 & Tianwen-2 meeting their asteroids)
Other – see comments (right)
Jane Bezant
Vera Rubin observatory results
mickyboy
Finding life on another world
Phil Pugh
I’m looking forward to revisiting a few deep sky objects with my Seestar S50 this spring and doing some longer integration runs.
Six months and counting!
On the occasion of our first six months under new management, we asked those of you subscribed to our newsletter and social media channels for feedback on your favourite cover or story so far – and what you might like to see next. Here are a few of your answers so far – more next month!
I subscribe to many astronomy publications, including those from the UK and USA. Astronomy Now continues to be my favourite because of its emphasis on amateur astrophotography. I would love to see expanded coverage of more of the same, e.g. longer and more Imaging Masterclass. James Reynolds
How about a cover on comet Hale Bopp and where it is now? What made it so significant and what we learnt from it.
FEATURE
A Duff
Firstly, thank you for continuing the production and distribution of Astronomy Now. Whilst electronically distributed astronomical images and news, via internet and social media are appreciated, there is nothing that quite matches the experience of actually holding the physical paper version in ones hands. I have enjoyed reading all of the editions that have dropped onto my doormat but if I have to make the choice of favourite cover, I would go for that of the “Visitor from another Solar System”. Had time and foresight allowed, it would have been interesting to have launched and landed a craft onto this body as it swung through and past our Solar System. Who knows what additional scientific knowledge may have been discovered as it sped en route to destinations unknown? Colin Turner
Our digital universe is expanding!
Join us on LinkedIn!
Not on Facebook or X? You can now find us on LinkedIn! In keeping with the style of the platform, we’ll be diving a little deeper into some of our feature articles, highlighting the wonderful professionals, research institutes, observatories and more, that give us the inspiration for the stories you read in this magazine.
We’ll also be shining a spotlight on our talented and growing pool of authors who write the articles and, from time-to-time, we’ll share insights directly from our management team. We look forward to connecting with you there!
Subscribe to our newsletter
We’ve been working hard behind the scenes over the last few months to get our email newsletter back up and running. Be sure to check your junk mail and add us to your safe sender list if you haven’t received one for a while!
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Emily Baldwin, Digital Content Manager
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Bird Observatory Guest House
Abernethy Forest
Galloway Forest Park
OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory
Northumberland Dark Sky Park
Hesleyside Huts
Dark Sky Reserves North York Moors
Jodrell Bank
Ty Cipar
Ynys Enlli, Bardsey Island
Eryri (Snowdonia) Dark Sky Reserve
Belan Bluebell Woods
Elan Valley Dark Sky Park Bannau Brycheiniog Dark Sky Reserve
Cranborne Chase Reserve Amberley Castle
Primrose Cottage, Exmore
Errata
In the February issue’s article on UK astro-holidays, the annotations for Galloway Forest Park and Hesleyside Huts in the map on P74 were mistakenly switched. Thank you to eagle-eyed subscriber Peter Jackson for pointing it out to us. Here is the corrected graphic!