Look up tonight
A Russian-language astronomy channel: the author's own shots of the Moon and planets from different countries, heads-ups on what to watch, and free talks.
What it is
A personal Telegram channel about astronomy, simply called astronomy. It is written in Russian. The bio promises thoughts on science and space, and in practice most of the feed is about things you can see with your own eyes: the Moon rising over the hills of Mongolia, Venus above Ohrid in North Macedonia, the Moon and Jupiter over Bishkek. Many photos are credited to "I. Tirsky", and now and then he shares shots from followers, like a phone photo of the sky over Kyrgyzstan.
Why we picked it
Most space channels repackage agency news. This one does something different: a person looks up and invites you to look too. Before a good night he explains what is coming. For 12 August 2026, for example, he noted that a total solar eclipse, a new Moon and the Perseid peak would line up, and why a moonless sky matters for spotting meteors. Posts like that work as a nudge to step outside, not just something to read.
There is also a human side. He mentions where he is travelling, looks for lecture halls and amateur astronomy clubs, and in September 2026 started giving free online talks streamed on YouTube, the first one about interstellar objects. He doesn't post much, so the feed never feels like homework.
Where to start
- Scroll back through the pictures of the Moon next to Venus and Jupiter to see how the planets shift over the weeks.
- Find the post about the night of 12 August: it is a neat example of how to read an astronomy calendar.
- Watch the recorded talk on interstellar objects, linked in the channel.
- Drop into the linked chat if you want to share your own observations.
Who it's for
Anyone who glances up and wonders what that bright "star" next to the Moon is. Parents looking for a reason to take the kids outside after dark. Phone astrophotography fans, since plenty here was shot without a telescope. Russian readers in Central Asia will spot familiar places.
Quick answers
Do I need a telescope? No. Most of what he describes is visible to the naked eye, and some photos were taken on a phone.
How often does it post? Not very often: a few times a month, mostly ahead of notable sky events.
What language is it in? Russian, so non-Russian speakers will need a translator for the captions; the photos speak for themselves.
