Take a look east at about eight in the evening and try to find a bright red untwinkling "star" a few hands-widths to the left of Orion. This is Mars, perfectly positioned directly opposite the sun in the sky, so that it appears as bright now as it can be. Mars is sometimes a little closer at "opposition", such as back in 2003, but this year's opposition is well placed for our winter skies. In the same general part of the sky, you'll see glorious Sirius, and its little brother Procyon, the ruby-red eye of Betelguese and bluish Rigel. A keen eye will pick out the Pleiades, and the Hyades star clusters, or the great nebula of Orion. If you're not too sure about where
exactly to find these things, why not ask one of the boarders? They'll even tell you what the proper name for Alpha Tauri is.
There will be plenty more observing nights ahead, so why not pack a thermos, stick on a warm coat and join us some time?
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