Deep space nebula

Reference Guides

Practical, expert guides on astronomy events, astrophotography, space imagery, satellite data, and visualisation

This section collects reference-grade articles on topics we return to regularly: upcoming sky events, instrument and dataset primers, astrophotography workflows, image-licensing guidance, and tools for exploring space data in your browser.

Each guide is written to be accurate, practical, and worth bookmarking. New articles are published on a rolling schedule.

Screenshot of the APOD website with copyright notice highlighted

APOD Images and Copyright: How to Tell When You Need Permission

A clear breakdown of how copyright works for Astronomy Picture of the Day images — when they are free to use, when they are not, and how to check.

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Collage of space images with credit text overlays from NASA and ESA

A Practical Guide to Crediting Space Images: NASA vs ESA vs Partner Credits (Without Guessing)

How to correctly credit space imagery from NASA, ESA, Hubble, JWST, and partner agencies — with clear rules, examples, and common mistakes to avoid.

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JWST infrared view of Uranus showing ring structure and atmospheric bands

Webb Maps Uranus' Upper Atmosphere: What the 2026 Release Shows About Auroras and the Ionosphere

What the 2026 JWST Uranus atmosphere data release reveals about auroral emissions, ionospheric structure, and why this ice giant remains one of the least understood planets.

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Vivid infrared nebula image as captured by JWST showing colour-mapped wavelengths

James Webb Images in 2026: How to Read NIRCam vs MIRI (and Why the Colours Look 'Unreal')

A practical guide to understanding James Webb Space Telescope images — what NIRCam and MIRI actually detect, how colour is assigned, and why the results look the way they do.

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Diagram showing the geometry of an eclipse season with the lunar nodes

Eclipse Season Explained: Why Solar and Lunar Eclipses Come in Pairs (with 2026 Examples)

Clear explanation of eclipse seasons — why solar and lunar eclipses cluster together, what controls the pattern, and how the August 2026 pair illustrates the mechanism.

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Partial lunar eclipse showing the curved shadow of Earth on the Moon's surface

Partial Lunar Eclipse 27–28 August 2026: UK Timing and How to Photograph the Umbra

UK-focused guide to the partial lunar eclipse of 27–28 August 2026, with timing, visibility, and camera settings for capturing the Earth's shadow on the Moon.

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Bright meteor streaking across a starry night sky

Perseid Meteor Shower 2026: Peak Night Guide and a Simple Camera Cheat Sheet

When and where to watch the 2026 Perseids, what to expect at the peak, and a straightforward camera setup to capture meteor trails.

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Total solar eclipse showing the solar corona against a dark sky

Total Solar Eclipse 12 August 2026: Spain & Iceland Viewing Times, Safety, and Photography Settings

Complete guide to the 12 August 2026 total solar eclipse visible from Spain and Iceland, covering timing, safe viewing, and practical camera settings for every phase.

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