This month's Focus looks at CCD astronomy. Astrophotography is a major part of amateur astronomy now, with the advent of the revolutionary charge-coupled device (CCD) over two decades ago bringing high-resolution digital imaging to the fingertips of observers in their back gardens. In our Focus this month, Nik Szymanek kicks things off with an introduction to CCDS – what they are, how they work and the various options on hand to the discerning astrophotographer. Next up, Astronomy Now’s Equipment Consultant Steve Ringwood looks at the essential accessories required to get the best out of your CCD imaging set-up. Astro-imager Olly Penrice gives guidance on choosing a target and planning your imaging project, and finally Nik Szymanek returns with advice on image reduction and basic digital processing of your astrophotographs.

Former MP and dedicated Spaceguard advocate Lembit Öpik writes exclusively for Astronomy Now about where British efforts to aver the danger of Near Earth Objects currently stand.

Astronomy Now was reporting at the University of Manchester in March for the Royal Astronomical Society’s annual National Astronomy Meeting, with detailed reports and exclusive video interviews.

As the USA experiences an annular solar eclipse, the world looks forward to northern Australia’s total solar eclipse in March. Eclipse tour expert Dr John Mason gives us a taste of this anticipated event for eager eclipse chasers.

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey is building the most detailed map of the Universe, a piece at a time, writes Keith Cooper.

NASA’s belated new X-ray mission is soon set to blast into space. Amanda Doyle discovers the extraordinary science the space telescope will be conducting.

Venture off the beaten track with our tour of some of spring’s more elusive globular clusters.

Telescope review: Ikharos/astro.phad 254mm Ritchey–Chrétien