The following sky notes describe what may be seen in the night sky, soon after sunset at the beginning of February, for an observer situated in the UK.

Saturn remains well placed for observation in Cancer with Mars also visible through the night and located in Aries. Extend the belt of Orion down towards the South East to reach Sirius, the “Dog Star”, which is the brightest star in the sky apart from our own Sun. About five degrees south of Sirius binoculars will reveal the beautiful open star cluster M41. Sweeping the Milky Way in this part of the sky will reveal many other star clusters.