Author: Robert Findlay

Hi, I'm Rob, and I’m a keen astronomer. I found astronomy while working in dark rural locations. Initially, I explored the night sky and learnt the constellations before purchasing a pair of binoculars to further my knowledge of the sky. My first telescope was a 200 mm Newtonian reflector on an equatorial mount. I found that this telescope had a steep learning curve but was a rewarding experience. As time progressed, I became interested in astrophotography. This resulted in purchasing a 110 mm refracting telescope and a dedicated monochrome-cooled astronomical camera. This resulted in another very rewarding steep learning curve that far surpassed the experience with my first telescope. I have joined Telescope Guru to share my knowledge of telescopes and astronomy.

Observing Guide: March and April 2025

Below is your observing guide for March and April 2025. If this is the first of our observation guides you have visited, you may wish to review our Observing Guides page, as it contains a lot of valuable information. The page details what is presented here and how to get the most out of the […]

Supermassive Black Holes and Active Galactic Nuclei

This post explores supermassive black holes (SMBHs). It will discuss the tools that astronomers use to find these objects before exploring their link with active galactic nuclei (AGN). It will be discovered that SMBHs provide the energy source that produces AGN. The phenomena we observe from these objects are described by a unified model based […]

What are Binary Stars?: A Complete Guide for Amateur Astronomers

Look up at the night sky, and you might think each twinkling point of light is a single star, much like our Sun. Interestingly, this is not true. We find that the vast majority of stars are part of binary or multiple-star systems. To put a number on it, 85% of stars are in binary […]

How Far Can a Telescope See

During your observing sessions, you may have wondered how far a telescope can peer into the cosmic depths or how far we can see with only our eyes. I was wondering about this recently and thought I would investigate it and provide information that others might find helpful. Also included in the article is how […]

The Ultimate Guide to Crayford Focusers: Precision Focusing for Your Telescope

Crayford focuser with attached diagonal and eyepieve

Accurate focus is a must for rewarding views of astronomical objects. Crayford focusers have revolutionized this process, offering smooth, accurate focusing that’s become the gold standard in modern telescope design. You should consider a Crayford focuser for your telescope. Understanding the Basics The Crayford focuser, invented by John Wall in 1971 at the Crayford Manor […]

Observing Guide: January and February 2025

Below is your observing guide for January and February 2025. As winter peaks in the northern hemisphere, the crisp, clear nights offer excellent stargazing opportunities. During these months, some of the year’s most prominent constellations and celestial objects grace the night sky. This guide highlights some of the better targets you should plan to observe. […]

Formation of the Moon

This article about the formation of the Moon is quite in-depth. If you would like less technical information on the Moon you may like Why Do We Always See the Same Face of the Moon or Why Does The Moon Shine. The question of the Moon’s formation has been pondered since prehistoric times. Early explanations […]

Lunar Rilles: What are They?

If you study a photograph of the Moon closely, you may notice what appear to be channels running across the lunar surface. These features are known as lunar rilles. This comprehensive guide will explore their formation, characteristics, and significance in our understanding of lunar geology. What Are Lunar Rilles? Lunar rilles are long, narrow depressions […]

Why Is Astronomy Important?

Looking up at the sky, it’s easy to feel a sense of wonder. That feeling is the essence of astronomy. But astronomy is more than just stargazing. It’s a field that has shaped our understanding of the universe and our place within it. This comprehensive guide explores why astronomy is important and essential to our […]

Observing Guide: November and December 2024

Below is your observing guide for the months of November and December 2024. While this guide may be useful in the early evening, you may wish to read our current guide, Observing Guide: January and February 2025. As the weather becomes cooler and the nights longer in the northern hemisphere, many stargazing opportunities await you […]