Star Guides

Use these BBC Learning downloads, videos and articles to get hands-on with astronomy - there’s a whole Universe to explore.

Activities

• Star Guide 2013

  New and improved for 2013, with star maps and exciting facts about our stars and planets.

• Event Pack 2013

  This pack offers inspiration for activities for event organisers (PDF 2.7MB, Adobe Reader required).

• Star Party Pack 2013

  Fun and interesting ways to host your very own star party with family and friends of all ages.

• Telescope Guide 2013

  Buying a telecope for the first time? Then you need to read this (PDF 0.6MB, Adobe Reader required).

• Make your own telescope

  Step-by-step guide to building your own refractor telescope (PDF 0.3MB, Adobe Reader required).

Star maps

• Jan-Mar 2013

  Printer friendly maps and tips for stargazing all year long (PDF 0.4MB, Adobe Reader required).

• Apr-Jun 2013

  Printer friendly maps and tips for stargazing all year long (PDF 0.4MB, Adobe Reader required).

• Jul-Sep 2013

  Printer friendly maps and tips for stargazing all year long (PDF 0.6MB, Adobe Reader required).

• Oct-Dec 2013

  Printer friendly maps and tips for stargazing all year long (PDF 0.4MB, Adobe Reader required).

Audio guides

• Jan-Mar 2013

  Learn how to spot wonders including Orion’s Belt, Betelgeuse and the planet Jupiter.

• Apr-Jun 2013

  Find out what constellations are, how to identify them, and have a go at astro-navigation.

• Jul-Sep 2013

  Get tips on how to see the Milky Way and don’t miss the Perseid meteor shower.

• Oct-Dec 2013

  Find the most distant object in the Universe that can be seen with the naked eye!

Animated guides

• Short guide to stars

  This beautiful animation explains how stars shine, why we're all made of star stuff, and much more.

• Short guide to Mars

  In the search for life beyond Earth, why is the Red Planet still our greatest obsession?

Background guides

• How do telescopes work?

  Refractors, reflectors and radio telescopes - find out how they let us see so far into space.

• The Big Bang - how do we know?

  Most scientists accept that the Big Bang happened, but what's the evidence?

• Why is Mars so hostile?

  Like Earth it's a rocky planet with ice caps and seasons, so why does the Red Planet seem so lifeless?

• Universe through time poster

  Explore billions of years in the life of the Universe from the Big Bang to the distant future (PDF 0.8MB, Adobe Reader required).

Mark Thompson's astronomy guides

• Choosing a telescope

  Find out the difference between reflectors and refractors and work out which telescope could be right for you.

• Astrophotography

  Mark shows you how to capture great images of space without using expensive kit.

Stargazing apps

• Mobile apps

  There are hundreds of apps available for smartphones which can help you further explore the night sky. Take a look at this handy guide and get started! (PDF 1.1MB, Adobe Reader required).

• Desktop apps

  There's a great range of computer apps that can further your astronomical investigations. This guide will show you a couple to get you started (PDF1.1MB, Adobe Reader required).