REACH FOR THE STARS

INTO THE DARK

For the best stargazing experience, travel as far from urban lights you can. The UK boasts multiple dark-sky parks and reserves where the night sky is protected, including Exmoor National Park in England, Galloway Forest Park in Scotland and Snowdonia in Wales (for a full list, see darksky.org). Dress warmly and take cushions and blankets so you can lie back and get comfy. There’s plenty to see, though, even in the most light-polluted skies. If stargazing from inside your home, turn off the lights and give your eyes 20 minutes or so to adapt to the darkness. If you need a light, covering your mobile phone torch with red cellophane or even a sock will preserve your night vision.

SPARKLE TEST

You can buy a telescope, but binoculars are a good starting point for spotting details on the moon’s surface, for example, or just enjoy the naked-eye view. Apps such as Star Walk 2, Google Sky or Stellarium can help you find your way. One way to tell celestial bodies apart is that stars twinkle or sparkle and planets don’t. Planets also tend to be brighter than the surrounding stars. The moon and planets are clustered around the same plane, known as the ecliptic, so if you spot two of these, follow the same line through the sky to find others. You can also watch for the International Space Station, a fast-moving dot easily visible with the naked eye. Find out when it will be overhead at spotthestation.nasa.gov.

COMET TRAIL

An astronomical highlight of autumn is the Orionids meteor shower, peaking on the night of 21-22 October with up to 20 shooting stars per hour. They’re caused by dust grains from the tail of Halley’s comet. Observe after midnight, once the moon has set, for the best view.

Or for a three-minute dose of celestial awe, even if you’re nowhere near a window, watch Lost In Light, a short film by Sriram Murali that peels away light pollution to reveal the forgotten beauty of a truly dark sky – find it online at vimeo.com/178841667.