Here are five fantastic things you should be able to see with the naked eye in the sky overhead through the winter months from the UK, given a nice clear sky, preferably free of light pollution:

1. The Andromeda Galaxy
2.4 million light years away, this is the furthest object you will be able to see with no equipment other than your eyes. Just like our own galaxy, the Milky Way, Andromeda is a spiral galaxy and is estimated to contain a staggering 1 trillion (10^12) stars! It is on a collision course with the Milky Way though… in 2.5billion years it’s due to make impact – a common occurrence for galaxies in the same local group.

To find it, look for the ‘W’ of the constellation of Cassiopeia in the hazy light of the Milky Way, and then use the ‘v’ to point to a ‘smudge’ almost directly overhead at around midnight.

Continue on to The Great Square of Pegasus

Pages: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6