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.
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.

Famous Astronomers

There have been many notable astronomers throughout history, all of which have added to the field in one way or another.
Updated: Aug 8, 2024

space objects you can easily see with binoculars

Using binoculars for stargazing is a fairly inexpensive way to observe many celestial objects with your own eyes.
Updated: Jun 14, 2024

Birthday Star

When light from a given star has taken as long as your lifetime to reach our planet, it is called a "birthday star".
Updated: Aug 8, 2024

Astronomy vs Astrology

Although astronomy and astrology both relate to the different objects that can be found in our universe, there are some fundamental differences between the two. 
Updated: Aug 8, 2024

what is a shooting star

One of the most beautiful aspects of stargazing is looking up to see shooting stars (also known as falling stars) streaking across the night skies.
Updated: Aug 8, 2024

The brightest stars in the night sky

When you look up into the night sky, you might have noticed that not all the stars shine equally. Learn how to recognize the 5 brightest stars.
Updated: Jun 14, 2024

What are the different types of asteroids?

Asteroids are classed into different groups depending on their chemical composition and where they formed in the solar system.
Updated: Aug 8, 2024

How many rovers are on Mars?

There are 3 rovers and 1 lander exploring and studying Mars inch by inch. These robotic vehicles are a vital part of space exploration.
Updated: Aug 8, 2024

What is the Zodiacal Light?

The zodiacal light, also known as “False Dawn” is a triangle-shaped faint glow that can sometimes be seen shortly after sunset or before dawn.
Updated: Jun 14, 2024

How many moons are there in the solar system?

Find out how many moons all the planets have, from Mercury to Uranus! Although small, these moons are interesting yet mysterious worlds of their own.
Updated: Aug 8, 2024

Space Food

Enjoying a meal in space is a very different experience than on earth. Find out what kind of food astronauts eat during their space mission.
Updated: Jun 11, 2024

What is a blood moon

The moon that we are most familiar with is white in colour. However, it sometimes takes on a majestic red appearance. Read here to know why.
Updated: Sep 4, 2025

How much does a good telescope cost

Buying a high-quality telescope can be a significant investment. To help you plan your budget, we have created this guide about telescope prices in 2021.
Updated: Mar 27, 2024

How long does it take to travel to the moon

How long does it take to travel to the Moon, and what can influence the travel time of a spacecraft? Let's dive in! Or should I say, let's take off?
Updated: Jun 20, 2024

40 Deep and Meaningful Quotes About The Stars

Observing the night sky fills me with a sense of amazement, and I hope these beautiful and profound quotes about the stars will make you feel the same way.
Updated: Aug 18, 2025

Gibbous Moon

The gibbous moon is one of the various phases that the Moon goes through during its monthly lunar cycle. Learn more about its meaning here.
Updated: Jun 20, 2024

How many people have walked on the moon

Between 1969 and 1972, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) sent 12 astronauts to walk on the surface of the Moon.
Updated: Jun 20, 2024

The Planets In Order From The Sun

Is the order of the planets important? Yes, since the gravitational stability of our solar system is based on their current position!
Updated: Aug 8, 2024

How Big is The Sun?

In this article, we will compare the size of the Sun with the size of the planets as well as the size of the biggest stars known to date.
Updated: Aug 8, 2024

Dobsonian Telescopes

Dobsonian telescopes are a type of reflecting telescope that is very popular in the visual astronomy community.
Updated: Mar 27, 2024
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