Martina McGovern’s beautiful totality photos from August’s solar eclipse grace our cover, while the first of a two-part gallery of members’ images shows the partial phases seen from the UK. Plus: a mysterious arc in Ursa Major.

Jeremy Shears tell us of his astronomical adventures in the US, while we highlight some summer deep-sky gems (including M17, featured in our cover image by Karen Smith) and celebrate the solar eclipse with a timely paper on these special events.

Venus returns to our evening skies, a new blue plaque in honour of Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, and how mapping the Milky Way’s arms might be easier than you think – with a little help from our Radio Astronomy Section.

A look at extraordinary recent amateur observations of Jupiter; how to recognise the different forms of aurorae; and the curious case of a variable star with a possible tail. Plus, an interview with eclipse-chaser and BAA stalwart Ann Davies.

Identifying a mystery comet in a famed fresco by Giotto, uncovering the lesser-known highlights of the winter Milky Way, plus an interview with member and supernova expert Dr Tom Killestein.

Comets are the theme of our latest Journal, with a special report on observations of C/2025 A6 (Lemmon), a paper offering a cometary explanation for the Star of Bethlehem’s ‘stopping’ behaviour, and notes on comets expected to be visible in 2026.

Peter Macdonald’s beautiful hand-drawn charts form an essential guide to next year’s total solar eclipse. Also in this issue: a new Astronomer Royal, a unique scale-model solar system, and exciting change at the BAA Journal.

The parallel lives of Patrick Moore and Richard Baum. Plus: a curious 1960s wooden telescope saved from the skip, a delightful edge-on galaxy for the autumn, and how you can help track remote spacecraft.

The glorious Sun is the theme for this issue, with spectacular recent observations of our star, a new solar-themed art installation, and an interview with solar observer Kim Hay. Plus: find out how you can help save the science centre at Herstmonceux.

Spring is ‘Galaxy Season’ – let Stewart Moore and Nick Hewitt be your guide! Plus a simple solar pointer project, the music of space, and a possible ancient observation of nova T CrB.