The moon called me home again just this side of crazy And pulled the tides in lee I walked home in the full moonlight Late November's starry night A touch of lunacy For the first time in a long time I could see A silver beam of light...

Late November

Clear skies have been rare treasures in this autumn of rain and grey cloud and high wind. But the last two nights have given patches of respite, moments when I remember why I so love the skies at this time of year

Jupiter is still very visible; Mars is rising much later. But the moon is bright even through the haze, and throwing shadows behind me as I walk among the leafless trees in the deepening chill. The large crater in the middle of this photo is Copernicus, named after the 15th century cleric who argued that the Earth revolved around the sun.



The consequences of the Earth's daily spin, as opposed to its annual orbit, can be seen with a little patience The shots in this sequence were taken about ten minutes apart.



Orion might be the most spectacular constellation...



...but there is plenty else to see. The Pleiades are high over the horizon by the time Orion is fully visible



Here's hoping for some more clear nights!