Tom Kerss

Tom Kerss

Contributing Writer

Tom Kerss is an astronomer and the author of numerous best-selling books about the night sky for both adults and children, including Northern Lights, Diamonds Everywhere and the Starry Stories Series. He shares his passion for the stars with people all over the world, delivering courses, podcasts and media interviews. Having worked in Hawaii, Chile, Namibia, Iceland and Norway, Tom loves nothing more than to seek out the darkest and most beautiful skies on Earth, escaping his light-polluted home of London. He has a background in astrophysics and formerly worked at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.

Latest articles by Tom Kerss

Woman with one of the best telescopes for deep space looking at the night sky

Best telescopes for deep space 2024

By Tom Kerss last updated

Buying Guide Here are the best telescopes for deep space — gaze far into the night sky and see star clusters and rare objects like the elusive 'blaze star.' Be prepared for the Black Friday sales.

Buying Guide
Image shows a man using one of the best telescopes for seeing planets set against a night sky

Best telescopes for seeing planets in 2024

By Tom Kerss last updated

Buying Guide The best telescopes for seeing planets give you the best views of our celestial neighbors, and some are already on sale for Black Friday.

Buying Guide
a man with long brown hair is surrounded by music equipment and two large speakers behind him.

Meet the maestro behind 'The Galilean Suite' — an epic space symphony dedicated to Jupiter's largest moons

By Tom Kerss published

Self-taught composer Dave Dexter takes us on an immersive interplanetary voyage with his latest work "The Galilean Suite".

Entertainment
An artist's depiction of Jupiter as seen from the surface of its icy moon Europa.

Jupiter's icy moon Europa will block out a star for lucky skywatchers

By Tom Kerss published

Jupiter's moon Europa is set to obscure a star while being shadowed by its own host planet.

Jupiter
Woman looking over city with telescope at night

What equipment do you need for stargazing in a city?

By Tom Kerss published

Live in the city but love a dark sky? We have some tricks to help you enhance it's beauty despite the artificial light.

Astronomy Kit
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this sequence of the 2012 transit of Venus from space.

Venus crossed the sun's face 10 years ago. Most people alive will never see the sight again.

By Tom Kerss last updated

On the 10th anniversary of the last transit of Venus, find out what makes these events so special and what else to look out for during the long wait for the next one.

Venus
Buying a telescope is an investment that opens up the night sky. Here's when to look for the right one for you.

The best time to buy a telescope: Shop smart and save

By Tom Kerss published

Get the best price for your new telescope by shopping smart with these handy tips and discover the best time to buy a telescope

Astronomy Kit
Get the biggest bang for your buck with these five money saving tips when buying a telescope

5 money-saving tips for buying a telescope

By Tom Kerss published

Get the biggest bang for your buck with these five money saving tips when buying a telescope

Astronomy Kit
The night sky over a harbor, with stars visible

Can you see stars in light polluted skies?

By Tom Kerss published

Feature Light pollution is the enemy of astronomers, but it is possible to pick out some stars even in the largest cities

Feature