Live astronomy · guided learning

Take control of a real telescope. Learn what you're seeing.

Join a guided 45-minute astronomy session from home. Explore the night sky live, control the telescope and discover the science behind what you observe.

Live telescope Guided astronomy Weather-proof experience
Moon observed through Show Me The Sky
Your night sky, live. The Moon, planets and deep-sky objects depending on the season and conditions.
How it works

From your sofa to the telescope.

No telescope, dark garden or previous experience required — every session combines practical observing with clear, interactive astronomy.

01

Choose a session

Select the package and an available date that suits you.

02

Join live

Start with a short, interactive introduction to the target, equipment and science behind the observation.

03

Guide the telescope

Interact with the session and help guide the observation in real time.

04

Keep the memory

On Shoot and Private sessions, an image from your observation is included.

A dark sky without needing a dark garden.

Astronomy should not depend on owning expensive equipment, spending time setting it up, or living far from city lights. The telescope and observing site are already prepared: you simply connect from home and take part in the session live.

What can we observe?

The target changes with the sky.

We choose suitable objects for the date, season and weather rather than promising something that is not visible.

Real Show Me The Sky lunar observation The Moon

The Moon

Craters, maria, mountain ranges and changing illumination along the lunar terminator.

Real Show Me The Sky image of Jupiter Planets

Planets

Depending on visibility: Jupiter and its moons, Saturn and its rings, Mars, Venus and more.

Real Show Me The Sky deep-sky observation Deep sky

Deep sky

Galaxies, nebulae and star clusters with the wider-field Seestar S50 when conditions allow.

Whatever the weather

Cloudy sky? The astronomy continues.

Live observing depends on the sky, but your session does not have to stop when clouds arrive. If conditions prevent practical observing, we switch to an interactive astronomy masterclass based on your chosen target, using real images, simulations and the same training material used during our live sessions.

Same topic Moon, planets, Jupiter or deep sky.
Interactive Images, demonstrations and questions throughout.
No wasted session We agree the best practical arrangement for the observing part.
Go beyond observing

Explore the Moon — from image to measurement.

Our first fully developed Astronomy Masterclass focuses on the Moon. Use real observations and interactive experiments to understand what you see, then go a step further and measure it for yourself.

More to come

Future Astronomy Masterclasses.

These topics are being developed next. They are shown here so you can see where the Astronomy Lab is heading, but they are not yet available to book.

The Sun

Solar structure, sunspots, activity cycles, safe observing and how solar images are acquired.

Coming soon
In development

Planets & Jupiter

Planetary motion, apparent size, Jupiter's bands and moons, and what telescopes can reveal.

Coming soon
In development

Deep Sky

Galaxies, nebulae and star clusters, why they are faint, how we choose targets and how we image them.

Coming soon
In development

Celestial Mechanics

From Ptolemy and Copernicus to Kepler, Newton and the prediction of planetary motion.

Coming soon
In development

Astrophotography

How planetary and deep-sky images are acquired, stacked and processed into the final result.

Coming soon
In development

Interested in another astronomy topic?

Tell us what you would like to explore and it may help shape the next Show Me The Sky masterclass.

Live sessions

Choose how far you want to go.

Live sessions combine a short astronomy introduction with practical observing. Group sessions are deliberately kept small so there is time for questions and interaction; choose Private if you would prefer the telescope and instructor entirely to yourself. If the sky does not cooperate, the session switches to the interactive theory format described above.

Alan Vigner
Your guide

Dr Alan Vigner

PhD in Geophysics · amateur astronomer. Your session is guided live, with plenty of time for questions and interaction.

Discover
£17

A simple guided introduction to live telescope observing.

  • 10 min introduction
  • 35 min live observation
  • Help guide the telescope
  • Personal image not included
  • Group rather than private
Private
£50

A one-to-one session with more room for questions and interaction.

  • 10 min introduction
  • 35 min live observation
  • Guide the telescope
  • Image from the observation
  • One-to-one session
A different kind of gift

Give someone the Universe.

A live telescope session makes a memorable gift for a birthday, celebration or simply for someone who has always wanted to explore the night sky. Tell us who it is for and we can help you arrange a personalised observing experience.

Before you book

A few practical questions.

Astronomy is weather-dependent, but a cloudy night does not mean the session is lost. If the sky is unsuitable, we switch to an interactive astronomy masterclass based on the planned target, using real images, simulations and our training material. We will then agree the most appropriate practical arrangement for the observing part of your session.

No. The sessions are designed to work for complete beginners as well as people who already know the night sky. Questions are encouraged throughout.

Yes. A live observing session can make a very unusual gift. For a personalised arrangement, use the contact form on the homepage and tell us what you have in mind.

You can tell us what interests you, but the final target depends on what is above the horizon, the season, observing conditions and which telescope is best suited to the object.
Observe it. Understand it.

Explore the Universe your way.

Book a live telescope session, or choose an astronomy masterclass when you want to go deeper into the science.