The observatory
Journal
Field notes on astronomy art, turning your photos into paintings, getting prints right, and the stories behind the objects we draw.
20 Jul 2026
Aurora Explained: What Causes the Northern Lights
How the solar wind, Earth's magnetic field and the upper atmosphere combine to paint the sky green, pink and violet — and why they make such striking wall art.
18 Jun 2026
Personalised Star Maps: What They Show & How to Choose the Moment
What a personalised star map actually shows, why the date, time and place change the stars, and how to choose the right moment — a plain-English guide.
18 Jun 2026
What Is a Constellation? The 88 Patterns, Explained
A constellation is a star pattern and a defined area of sky. What the 88 official constellations are, who sets them, and how to spot them from the UK.
18 Jun 2026
Canvas vs Framed Print vs Poster: How to Choose
Canvas, framed print or poster? A plain guide to glare, longevity, paper weight, cost and size — and which suits a gift, a statement wall or a budget.
16 Jun 2026
How to Turn a Photo Into a Painting
The easiest way to turn a photo into a painting — upload, pick a style, preview free in seconds, and print it gallery-grade if you love it.
16 Jun 2026
Turn a Photo Into Wall Art: 4 Styles Compared
Post-impressionist night, nebula watercolour, retro sci-fi or blueprint? A side-by-side look at four ways to turn a photo into art for your wall.
16 Jun 2026
What DPI Do You Need to Print a Photo?
How big can you print your photo? A plain-English guide to DPI, megapixels and print sizes — and why we block sizes that would look soft.
16 Jun 2026
The 8 Phases of the Moon, Explained
New, waxing, full, waning — the eight phases of the lunar cycle in plain English, and why they make such a quietly perfect wall print.
16 Jun 2026
A Beginner's Guide to Astronomy Art
Nebulae, galaxies, blueprints and retro travel posters — the main genres of astronomy art, and how to choose prints that work together on a wall.
16 Jun 2026
The Best Gifts for Astronomers & Space Lovers
A gift guide for the stargazer in your life — matched to what they actually love about the sky, from lunar charts to personalised photo art.
16 Jun 2026
How to Turn a Photo Into Line Art
Turn a photo into clean single-line art or a line drawing — upload, pick the Line Art style, preview free, and print it gallery-grade.
16 Jun 2026
Photo to Canvas: The Complete Guide
Everything about turning your photo into a canvas print in the UK — sizes, resolution, frames, cost and how to get it sharp.
16 Jun 2026
What Is a Nebula? The Main Types, Explained
Emission, reflection, dark and planetary nebulae — what they are, how they differ, and the famous ones you can hang on a wall.
16 Jun 2026
What Is the Pale Blue Dot?
The photograph Voyager 1 took of Earth from six billion kilometres out — what it shows, why Carl Sagan asked for it, and what it means.