LOOKING UP
Naked eye
The evening sky showcases the two brightest stars. The first is brilliant
Sirius in Canis Major. Slightly fainter but much further away is the second, Canopus in Carina, which is far more luminous than Sirius. If it was relocated to the same distance as Sirius, Canopus would even outshine Venus!
Binoculars
Close to the bright star Sirius lies the open star cluster M41, with both visible in the same binocular field. The bulk appears as a distinctive circular haze about the size of the Moon. There is a handful of bright stars visible, including a central red one.
Small telescope
In the northern evening sky is a pair of stars, the twins of Gemini, known as Castor and Pollux. Using high power you’ll discover that Castor is an impressive double star consisting of two close, almost-matching, white stars with a more distant red companion!