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| Naked eye astronomy | Naked eye astronomy |
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| Galileo first turned his telescope to the skies 400 years ago. But even those without fancy equipment can watch the stars - here are five notable formations to look for. | Galileo first turned his telescope to the skies 400 years ago. But even those without fancy equipment can watch the stars - here are five notable formations to look for. |
| Wherever you are in the world, there will always be stars in the night sky above. And spotting these heavenly bodies - be it a solitary star amid the light pollution or great drifts dotted across the inky darkness - can give a certain thrill. | Wherever you are in the world, there will always be stars in the night sky above. And spotting these heavenly bodies - be it a solitary star amid the light pollution or great drifts dotted across the inky darkness - can give a certain thrill. |
| It is one of the few things where we can go out into our own gardens and do it ourselves Marek Kukula, Royal Observatory | It is one of the few things where we can go out into our own gardens and do it ourselves Marek Kukula, Royal Observatory |
| And stars are not the only attraction - there are planets, comets and galaxies too. Most have been in the skies above for millions and millions of years, which is part of the draw for stargazers, amateur and aficionado alike. | And stars are not the only attraction - there are planets, comets and galaxies too. Most have been in the skies above for millions and millions of years, which is part of the draw for stargazers, amateur and aficionado alike. |
| It is this connection with the rest of the Universe that Marek Kukula, the public astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, believes is the greatest draw. | It is this connection with the rest of the Universe that Marek Kukula, the public astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, believes is the greatest draw. |
| "Astronomy is a science about the big questions in life, such as where do we come from and where does the Earth come from," says Dr Kukula. "It is a way of getting in touch with nature and the Universe in a very real way." | "Astronomy is a science about the big questions in life, such as where do we come from and where does the Earth come from," says Dr Kukula. "It is a way of getting in touch with nature and the Universe in a very real way." |
| To mark the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's first recorded discoveries in the sky through a telescope, 2009 has been declared the International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations and International Astronomical Union. People around the world are being encouraged to do some star-gazing of their own. | To mark the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's first recorded discoveries in the sky through a telescope, 2009 has been declared the International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations and International Astronomical Union. People around the world are being encouraged to do some star-gazing of their own. |
| But other than going to an observatory or using the latest telescopic kit, what can we see in the night sky with the naked eye alone? | But other than going to an observatory or using the latest telescopic kit, what can we see in the night sky with the naked eye alone? |
| Julia Gaudelli demonstrates her star-gazing kit | Julia Gaudelli demonstrates her star-gazing kit |
| Part of the charm of astronomy is its simplicity, says Dr Kukula. | Part of the charm of astronomy is its simplicity, says Dr Kukula. |
| "It is one of the few things where we can go out into our own gardens and do it ourselves. You can lie on your back and there's a chance you'll spot a shooting star." | "It is one of the few things where we can go out into our own gardens and do it ourselves. You can lie on your back and there's a chance you'll spot a shooting star." |
| Julia Gaudelli, an amateur astronomer from Guildford, suggests investing in a star map or planisphere (a circular chart that rotates to display the stars to see at certain times), and a pair of binoculars. But neither are essential, and numerous websites detail what's going on in the sky each night. | Julia Gaudelli, an amateur astronomer from Guildford, suggests investing in a star map or planisphere (a circular chart that rotates to display the stars to see at certain times), and a pair of binoculars. But neither are essential, and numerous websites detail what's going on in the sky each night. |
| For optimal viewing it is best to get outside later in the night - the darker the sky, the better the star-gazing. This is why city centres are not ideal. | For optimal viewing it is best to get outside later in the night - the darker the sky, the better the star-gazing. This is why city centres are not ideal. |
| "If you go somewhere genuinely dark, you will notice the change. It can be the difference between thousands of stars compared to a dozen or so," says Dr Kukula. | "If you go somewhere genuinely dark, you will notice the change. It can be the difference between thousands of stars compared to a dozen or so," says Dr Kukula. |
| Here are five constellations to look for: | Here are five constellations to look for: |
| ORION | ORION |
| Although stars are always drawn, or painted, in a light yellow or white shade, there are many which are coloured, even to the naked eye. This is true in the case of one of the best known of all the constellations, Orion - also known as the Hunter. | Although stars are always drawn, or painted, in a light yellow or white shade, there are many which are coloured, even to the naked eye. This is true in the case of one of the best known of all the constellations, Orion - also known as the Hunter. |
| Here, the top left star in Orion - the right shoulder - Betelgeuse - is a giant red star. In comparison, the bottom right star of the constellation, Orion's right foot - Rigel - is blue. | Here, the top left star in Orion - the right shoulder - Betelgeuse - is a giant red star. In comparison, the bottom right star of the constellation, Orion's right foot - Rigel - is blue. |
| There are three stars that represent Orion's "belt", and three below which make up his "sword". Of those that are the sword, one is not a star but a nebula, where stars are formed. Dr Kakula describes it as a nursery: "It is probably very much like where our own stars and earth began." | There are three stars that represent Orion's "belt", and three below which make up his "sword". Of those that are the sword, one is not a star but a nebula, where stars are formed. Dr Kakula describes it as a nursery: "It is probably very much like where our own stars and earth began." |
| URSA MAJOR | URSA MAJOR |
| Ursa Major - also known as the Plough - can be seen in the UK all year round. | Ursa Major - also known as the Plough - can be seen in the UK all year round. |
| It is identifiable by the double star that represents the handle of the plough, which some people know as the horse and rider. | It is identifiable by the double star that represents the handle of the plough, which some people know as the horse and rider. |
| With the naked eye, it's clear that there are two stars here, but if you turn binoculars or a telescope on this constellation, it becomes clear that there are three. | With the naked eye, it's clear that there are two stars here, but if you turn binoculars or a telescope on this constellation, it becomes clear that there are three. |
| ANDROMEDA GALAXY | ANDROMEDA GALAXY |
| The Andromeda Galaxy is about the most distant object - at 2.5 million light-years away - that it is possible for anyone to see in the night sky. | The Andromeda Galaxy is about the most distant object - at 2.5 million light-years away - that it is possible for anyone to see in the night sky. |
| Much of the lure of this galaxy is its impressive distance from us, says Dr Kukula, that the time the light took to reach us began so many years before man even inhabited the Earth. "Astronomy really is a time machine. You are seeing all the stars in a different time, depending how long it's taken the light from them to get to us." | Much of the lure of this galaxy is its impressive distance from us, says Dr Kukula, that the time the light took to reach us began so many years before man even inhabited the Earth. "Astronomy really is a time machine. You are seeing all the stars in a different time, depending how long it's taken the light from them to get to us." |
| As the seasons change, so do the stars which are most visible. Ms Gaudelli says the best time to view the Andromeda Galaxy is in the autumn. Look out for a "smudge of light or a faint cloud" to find the right stars, she says. | As the seasons change, so do the stars which are most visible. Ms Gaudelli says the best time to view the Andromeda Galaxy is in the autumn. Look out for a "smudge of light or a faint cloud" to find the right stars, she says. |
| PLEIADES | PLEIADES |
| Seven stars which are clearly identifiable are called Pleiades, also known as Seven Sisters, and individually named after the sisters in Greek mythology: Sterope, Merope, Electra, Maia, Taygete, Celaeno, and Alcyone. | Seven stars which are clearly identifiable are called Pleiades, also known as Seven Sisters, and individually named after the sisters in Greek mythology: Sterope, Merope, Electra, Maia, Taygete, Celaeno, and Alcyone. |
| Dr Kakula says that these are relatively young stars, only a couple of million years old, and are a brilliant blue colour. "They look like a little cluster of sapphires," he says. | Dr Kakula says that these are relatively young stars, only a couple of million years old, and are a brilliant blue colour. "They look like a little cluster of sapphires," he says. |
| Only visible during the winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the Seven Sisters can be seen on the other side of the world during UK summertime, as Ms Gaudelli discovered. "I actually saw Pleiades in Australia last week - upside down - which felt very strange." | Only visible during the winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the Seven Sisters can be seen on the other side of the world during UK summertime, as Ms Gaudelli discovered. "I actually saw Pleiades in Australia last week - upside down - which felt very strange." |
| THE MILKY WAY | THE MILKY WAY |
| The galaxy that is the Milky Way - the galaxy the Earth is part of - is another well-known feature of the night sky. It arches right overhead us, across the sky. | |
| Ms Gaudelli describes it as a band of cloud with structure. | Ms Gaudelli describes it as a band of cloud with structure. |
| And it is one sky feature that it is possible to see anywhere but in the most central part of cities. | |
| So what will you look for in tonight's sky? | So what will you look for in tonight's sky? |
| Send us your comments using the form below. | Send us your comments using the form below. |
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