NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
Now into autumn, the darkened skies bring some astronomical favourites
Cassiopeia (the Queen) and Cepheus (the King) lie in the dusty path of the Milky Way, offering not just a rich starfield, but impressive deep-sky objects. The Owl Cluster (NGC 457) is C particularly easy to pick out with decent binoculars, its 75 to 100 bright stars forming the shape of an owl with spread wings, while the bright double star Phi Cassiopeiae comprises the celestial bird’s eyes. Double star Alpha Cassiopeiae is easy to split, resolving a bright yellow primary and faint blue secondary and providing delightful views. Use the constellations of Pegasus, Aquarius and Pisces and you’ll be able to locate Cetus (the Sea Monster), which contains the remarkable variable star Mira, as well as a wide selection of galaxies.