How to spot the Hyades, the closest star cluster to Earth

This is the time of year to spot the Hyades, named for weeping nymphs from Greek mythology because its appearance in the night sky marked the start of the rainy season, says Abigail Beall

By Abigail Beall

THERE is nothing that marks the passing of the seasons quite like the night sky. When I look up to see the summer triangle shining overhead, it feels like summer here in the UK. The first time I spot Orion lingering over the horizon, I know that the summer is over. And nothing says winter is coming like seeing the Pleiades star cluster while out walking the dog.

The Pleiades is visible from July, so it isn’t only a winter feature in my northern hemisphere skies. But in November and December, it starts to twinkle here as soon as the …