I almost forget about Astronomy in summer. Summer constellations are totally strangers for me. But as fall gets closer to winter, I start feeling at home when I look at the sky. Even though this is absolutely a matter of personal liking, I do feel that Winter Skies are much more attractive than Summer Skies. There are more well-defined constellations in winter than summer. Orion, Taurus, Auriga, Gemini, Leo, Cassiopeia etc.
A very good, informative link about winter skies is here.
Moreover, this winter (2010), we have some regular visitors from the Solar System. Among these, Jupiter is the most attractive with a nearest pass by in 42 years. It’s big and shining brilliantly. You can easily get the glory of its four Galilean Moons in a telescope. Uranus is just 3 degrees to its East. Neptune is findable though faint. Saturn is returning to the show – with its rings wide open at 8 degrees – in the early morning skies. Venus will be visible as a morning star in few days. So this winter is full of excitement with all these wonderful objects.
Gear up with warm cloths and gloves. You are going to be too busy with the celestial buddies this winter. Have clear, dark and transparent skies.