About Past Horizon
The night sky, without the nonsense.
Honest telescope guides, real gear reviews, and stargazing advice from someone who’s still learning — and isn’t afraid to admit it.
Hey — I’m Daniel.
I got into astronomy the way most people do — by Googling “best telescope for beginners” at 11pm and falling down a rabbit hole I never climbed out of.
Based in the north of England, I spend my clear nights (all twelve of them a year) testing budget telescopes and trying to photograph things my phone was never designed to capture.
I started Past Horizon because when I was getting into stargazing, I found two kinds of content online:
- Overly technical guides written for people who already own three telescopes and speak fluent focal ratio.
- Suspiciously enthusiastic “best of” lists that read like they were written by someone who’s never actually looked through an eyepiece.
This site is the middle ground. I write about what I’m learning, what I’ve tested, and what I wish someone had told me before I bought my first scope. No jargon for the sake of it. No pretending I’m an astrophysicist.
What you’ll find here
Telescope Guides
Buying advice, comparisons, and everything I’ve learned about choosing the right scope — without the overwhelming jargon.
Reviews & Gear
Honest, hands-on reviews of telescopes, eyepieces, and accessories. If I recommend it, it’s because I’ve actually used it.
Astrophotography
I’m learning astrophotography and documenting the whole process — the wins, the failures, and the “why does the Moon look like that” moments.
Stargazing & Events
Dark sky sites, UK events calendar, and what to look for in the night sky — from someone who actually drives out to these places.
My approach
I’m self-taught. I don’t have a degree in astrophysics or a garden full of observatory domes. What I do have is a lot of curiosity, a healthy research habit, and the kind of stubbornness that keeps you outside at 2am waiting for a gap in the clouds.
Everything on this site comes from genuine experience. If I recommend a telescope, I’ve pointed it at something. If I write a how-to guide, I’ve done the thing (and usually got it wrong the first time). If I don’t know something, I’ll say so rather than bluffing.
I think that’s what makes this site useful. I remember what it’s like to not know things — because half the time, I still don’t. I’m just a few steps ahead of where you might be, and I’m writing it all down as I go.
A note on honesty
I’m not a professional astronomer — I’m a hobbyist who takes this seriously. My recommendations come from personal research and hands-on experience, not academic credentials. When something’s beyond my knowledge, I’ll flag it and point you to someone who knows better.
Some links on this site are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them. This never influences my recommendations — I’d rather lose a commission than lose your trust. Full details on my affiliate disclaimer page.
Not sure where to start?
If you’re brand new to astronomy, start with my beginner’s guide. If you’re shopping for a telescope, the buying guide will save you hours of research.
Got a question, spotted an error, or just want to talk about something you saw in the sky last night?
Drop me a message on the contact page — I always enjoy hearing from fellow stargazers.
Clear skies,
Daniel