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moons in orbit around it (up to 4). Watch it over a series of 4 or 5 nights in a row, and watch the little moons change positions around it. The first person to ever see those was Galileo, and he charted their dance for years. They are now called the Galilean moons: Io, Europa, Ganymeade, and Callisto.

Turn your binoculars to Orion's belt in the wintertime, and just below it you might see a faint pinkish "cotton ball" puff. That's the Orion Nebula, one of the more famous and brightest nebulae in the sky. Nebulae are dust clouds which are the birthplaces of stars, as the dust condenses upon itself until there's enough mass to start a nuclear reaction. In nearby Taurus, look for the Pleiades, the "Seven Sisters" star cluster, also visible to the naked eye but MUCH more astounding in binoculars. Remember that Andromeda Galaxy I mentioned? It is notably more visible in good binoculars as well.

Now that you've gotten yourself fully and truly hooked on the night sky, though, the binoculars just aren't enough, are they? It's hard to hold your arms steady, and the magnification just isn't enough for you. The next step up is to take the plunge and buy yourself a good backyard telescope. Which scope is right for you? Well, that's outside the realm of this article, that's a whole subject in and of itself. However, once you do, revisit the targets I've just mentioned. If you get a good scope, Jupiter may reveal it's Great Red Spot to you, not just those moons. Saturn's rings will REALLY come alive, and a good backyard scope might even give you a glimpse of the small gap in the ring called the Cassini Division. The nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters become more impressive still. And do NOT forget to revisit our old friend, the moon. The moon when viewed through a telescope really is a sight you will never forget.

An inquisitive nature is at the heart of the human spirit, and that nature extends itself into a natural wonderment at the beauty and awesome majesty that is the night sky. Too few people really appreciate what sits outside their windows every clear night. If you are one of those who do, or wish to start, don't let yourself be scared away by cost or by apprehension of it's apparent complexity. Even free and simple backyard astronomy holds the promise for those who are willing to look!

Learn more about this author, Tad Wesley.
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