Tom Urbain
About Author
Tom Urbain is an amateur astronomer, astrophotographer, and the original founder of Starlust.org, a space-focused website he launched in 2019 with one simple goal: to make the night sky feel less intimidating and more accessible to everyone. With no formal background in astronomy, Tom taught himself everything from telescope optics to lunar photography - a journey that began as a personal hobby and grew into a widely read online resource for stargazers around the world.
Driven by curiosity and a deep love for space, Tom spent years researching and creating hands-on guides for beginners, testing gear in his backyard in Manchester, and sharing monthly night-sky highlights to help readers reconnect with the cosmos. His approachable writing style and practical advice quickly earned him a loyal audience, many of whom were discovering astronomy for the first time.
In addition to his work with Starlust, Tom also founded Card Codex, a platform dedicated to collectible card games.
When he’s not out chasing meteor showers or photographing the Moon through his telescope, Tom can often be found speaking on podcasts, contributing to astronomy communities, and advocating for dark-sky preservation. He currently lives in Manchester, UK, where despite the glow of city lights, he still manages to find wonder in the stars.
Driven by curiosity and a deep love for space, Tom spent years researching and creating hands-on guides for beginners, testing gear in his backyard in Manchester, and sharing monthly night-sky highlights to help readers reconnect with the cosmos. His approachable writing style and practical advice quickly earned him a loyal audience, many of whom were discovering astronomy for the first time.
In addition to his work with Starlust, Tom also founded Card Codex, a platform dedicated to collectible card games.
When he’s not out chasing meteor showers or photographing the Moon through his telescope, Tom can often be found speaking on podcasts, contributing to astronomy communities, and advocating for dark-sky preservation. He currently lives in Manchester, UK, where despite the glow of city lights, he still manages to find wonder in the stars.
Latest From Tom Urbain
white hole vs black hole
In this article, we discuss the differences between white holes and black holes, two mind-boggling objects in space.
how long do astronauts stay in space
The length of an astronaut's space mission is usually decided by the space agency that they work for. Astronauts usually stay on the ISS for about 6 months
What are the differences between the inner and outer planets?
The planets are divided into 2 groups: the inner planets and the outer planets. Today, we'll take a closer look at what sets them apart.
What planets have no moon and why?
Although there are more than 210 known moons in our solar system, there are a couple of planets that have no moons at all: Mercury and Venus.
Can you see the Moon landing sites with a telescope?
The short answer is no, there are no telescopes powerful enough to see the Apollo landing sites from Earth. The long answer is a bit more complicated.
Why astronauts can't walk after landing on earth
There are three main reasons why astronauts may have difficulty walking on land after spending so much time in a microgravity environment.
How Long Did It Take Perseverance To Get To Mars?
Humanity has launched 48 missions to Mars with variable success rates. The most recent of these was the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover.
How to aim a telescope
If this is your first time using a telescope, you may be wondering how to point it at the various space objects across the night sky.
Why is my telescope blurry
There are many reasons why your telescope may produce a blurry image, but don't worry - every problem has a solution!
Can astronauts use social media from space?
In recent years, NASA has used social media platforms to keep the public informed about the progress of its missions.
Can astronauts communicate with their families from the ISS?
Astronauts may spend quite a long time working on the ISS. So, it's important that astronauts communicate with their families regularly.
Can astronauts smoke in space?
Astronauts are strictly forbidden from smoking on board the Space Shuttle or ISS, and there are several reasons for this.
what are stars made of?
Stars are the fundamental building blocks of the universe and are responsible for creating most of the elements. What are they made of?
Can you use a telescope during the day?
Telescopes are often thought of as tools only made for stargazing at night, but daytime observings can be just as rewarding.
What is the closest planet to the Sun?
Let's take a closer look at the closest planet to the Sun. And as you might expect, it is one of the hottest places in our solar system.
Which planets can you see without a telescope?
Planets are a popular observing target among amateur astronomers. Contrary to popular belief, telescopes are not always required to observe them.
How long does it take to get to the ISS from Earth?
Let's take a look at how long it takes to travel to the Internal Space Station from Earth, as well as all of the intricacies involved in such a difficult journey.
Fun Facts About Astronauts
Over the last few decades, only a few people have had the chance to go into space. Here are some facts about astronauts that may amaze you!
How hot is the Sun?
We all know of the Sun, that bulky mass of light and heat. But how exactly does the sun produce heat? And just how hot is it?
Centaurus Constellation
Centaurus is a southern constellation composed of 17 stars that form the shape of the centaur: a mythical creature half man, half horse.