Under the autumn sky

Becky Bateman guides us around the autumn sky. Photo of Wairongomai by Pete Monk.

Head outside into your yard to see some classic autumnal constellations of the Zodiac, Gemini, Leo, Virgo and Scorpius. They can be spotted as it gets nice and dark around 7.30pm, thanks to the end of daylight savings.

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The Summer constellation of Orion, which you are probably more familiar with as ‘The Pot’ is slowly disappearing over in the West, the three belt stars standing vertically on the horizon. To the right of Orion are two bright stars in a vertical line. These are Castor and Pollux, the heads of the twins of Gemini.

Another creature follows Orion and is due North in Autumn; Leo the Lion. He is chasing after the scraps that Orion leaves behind. Leo is a huge constellation and looks like a bent upside down coat hanger. Our brains are switched on to see familiar patterns in the stars, with crosses, triangles and simple geometric shapes easily spotted. 

Virgo follows the Lion, and marks time for the harvest; Spica is the brightest star in the north east and marks Virgo. The huge hook of Scorpius rises directly East opposite Orion sinking in the West.

Becky Bateman runs Under The Stars, a nomadic stargazing service in the Wairarapa.