Tom Urbain

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.
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.

Field of view calculator

The telescope's FOV determines the amount of sky you can see in your eyepiece. Use this simple field-of-view calculator to maximize your stargazing enjoyment.
Dec 12, 2022

Moon Phase Calculator

Stay in sync with the lunar cycle using our easy-to-use moon phase calculator. Whether you're a stargazer, a planner, or just curious, our calculator can help you discover the phase of the moon for any date.
Dec 10, 2022

What is the coldest place in the universe?

Deep in the depths of space, there is a place where the temperature plunges to unimaginable lows. This frigid realm, known as the Boomerang Nebula, is the coldest known place in the universe.
Dec 6, 2022

How to make DIY solar eclipse glasses

Create the perfect viewing experience for the upcoming solar eclipse with this easy DIY guide to making your own eclipse glasses.
Dec 6, 2022

Which planet has the most moon?

For a long time, many people assumed that Jupiter had the most moons. However, recent discoveries have dethroned Jupiter as the moon king.
Dec 5, 2022

what makes the moon shine?

When sunlight hits the Moon, it is reflected off of the regolith and back into space, making the Moon appear bright to us on Earth.
Dec 5, 2022

What Are The Different Types of Constellations??

Constellations help us group the numerous stars into recognizable shapes, but how can we segment them into easier groups?
Dec 5, 2022

weirdest space facts

Did you know that the Big Bang didn't create just matter and energy? It also created time. Here are some of the weirdest space facts.
Nov 28, 2022

How do astronauts sleep in space?

While the basic idea is still the same, there are a number of complications that can make sleep difficult in space, which astronauts have to adjust to.
Nov 20, 2022

questions and answers about mars rover perseverance

I have compiled 50 questions and answers about Perseverance, a remotely operated robotic vehicle designed to search for signs of ancient life on planet Mars.
Nov 18, 2022

How To Sell Meteorites

Meteorites have become particularly popular and sought after. But how do you know if that strange rock is in fact, a meteorite? How would you go about selling it?
Nov 14, 2022

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)

There's a new comet in town, and it's coming up fast. Comet C/2022 E3 is expected to reach naked-eye visibility by early February 2023.
Nov 10, 2022

How much money do astronauts make

The requirements to become an astronaut are extremely rigorous. Does their salary match the difficulty of their profession?
Nov 2, 2022

What is in The Night Sky in November

Planning is the key to productive stargazing adventures. So, what’s the schedule for November 2022? What is visible throughout the month?
Nov 1, 2022

How to focus your telescope

Focusing a telescope may be, at times, challenging. Today, you will learn how to properly focus your telescope and improve your viewing sessions.
Oct 27, 2022

Will asteroid mining ever become a reality?

We are much closer to asteroid mining than most people know, and yet, there are still many things that we have to overcome.
Oct 25, 2022

The Most Famous Comets Discovered By Astronomers

Comets are responsible for the most famous meteor showers on Earth. Here are seven of the most famous comets discovered by astronomers.
Oct 25, 2022

What is the farthest planet from the sun?

The dim, cold, windy world named after the Roman god of the sea takes the prize as the farthest planet from the Sun. What’s it like?
Oct 24, 2022

How do astronauts train for zero-gravity environments?

How do astronauts train for space, particularly the zero gravity/ microgravity environment that is so different from the gravity we live in here on Earth?
Oct 24, 2022

The different types of telescopes explained

Telescopes allow us to observe distant objects in the sky. While the options may seem overwhelming, there are actually only three basic types of telescopes.
Oct 14, 2022
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