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recording the patterns in the night sky for centuries. The Lascaux caves here in France for example contain images which it is believed record astronomical events from around 15,200 BCE. As a child, long before I knew anything about Astronomy, I remember recognizing a favourite pattern in the skies (not every night because I lived in Scotland!). I remember searching for that pattern whenever I could see beyond the clouds. It turns out that it was an area of the constellation of Orion. I still look for that pattern now whenever I am out under the skies here in France. You don't have to be a da Vinci or Rembrandt to try sketching, just mark down what you see....

Constellation of the Month: Pegasus

The constellation of 'Pegasus' or the Winged Horse from Greek mythology, is well positioned this month passing from south west to south east. It follows Cygnus (the Swan) across the sky. It is the seventh largest of 88 modern listed constellations, covering a vast area of the sky - 1,121 square degrees. The main 'asterism' or star pattern within the constellation is known as The Great Square of Pegasus. The Greek myth of Pegasus states that the Gorgon Medusa (who had been a beautiful young woman) was beheaded by Perseus and the white winged horse then sprang from her neck. Finding Pegasus is made easier because, apart from Andromeda which is to the north west, some of the other surrounding constellations lack any bright stars. The Pegasus

Great Square pattern is easy to spot as a result. Two of the brightest stars in the square pattern are Alpheratz (the north eastern point of the square, and part of Andromeda) and Markab (to the south west). In clear, really dark skies it may be possible to spot M15 with the naked eye. It is a globular cluster which, with binoculars, will appear as a bright nebulous ball. It sits slightly to the north west of the star Enif (the brightest of the constellation). This is where the nose of the horse is positioned.

The Nuits des Etoiles 2020

This year's event, set in the beautiful village of Licheres, Charente was not quite so busy due to the Covid - 19 restrictions, but it was still such a pleasure and a thrill to share in the reactions of children and adults who were seeing planets, stars and even the sun for the first time with the aid of telescopes and guides. We enjoyed many hours of clear skies, viewed prominences on the sun through a special solar scope, observed Jupiter, Saturn and Mars, and explored many deep sky objects such as the Andromeda Galaxy. We watched the Moon rising through broken clouds and packed our scopes away for another year. I reflected how fortunate I am to be able to share these beautiful clear skies here in France. See you next year?

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