As the nights draw in once more, I’ve taken to stargazing after being dazzled by the perseid meteor shower last August and September. Don’t fret if you missed those shooting stars as there’s more ahead on 21^st October and 22^nd October: the Orionid Meteor shower or the Taurid meteor shower, also know as the ‘Halloween Fireballs’, is visible from the end of October to the start of December (depending on when you may get a chance to read this). I’ve found that sleepless nights can be made very exciting by heading outside for a milky, sleep-inducing drink and I’ll gaze upwards and ponder. It’s such a pretty sight and it makes you wonder if we’re alone in the galaxy! Plus a touch of insomnia suddenly feels insignificant in the grand scheme of things when you see how big the world is! Other highlights (skylights?) to look out for this autumn and winter are a solar eclipse on 25^th October and as the sun sets on Christmas day, a thin arc of the Moon will be visible with Venus and Mercury hanging low in the southwestern sky – making a peaceful end to the year. – by Erica Crompton