THE Sun isn't setting until almost 10pm now, so astronomers and sky watchers have to stay up really late - until around 1 or 2am - if we want to see a dark, starry sky and look at all the fascinating 'faint fuzzies' through our telescopes. But if that doesn't appeal to you there's still a lot to see in the darkening twilight sky before you tuck yourself up in bed.

The first star you will see as darkness falls isn't actually a star at all - it's the planet Jupiter. You'll see it shining high in the south soon after sunset, very obvious to the naked eye. If you have binoculars you'll see up to four tiny stars huddled close to it: these are the four largest moons of its extended family of 64 satellites.

Having found Jupiter, look low in the south east around 11pm and you'll see Saturn shining there, just above the trees, glowing with a white-gold hue.

Then just enjoy looking around. Without hundreds of faint stars to confuse you you'll notice the brightest stars more easily. You'll be able to see their colours too - white, blue, orange and red.

And if you are still awake after midnight, keep an eye on the northern sky in case a display of beautiful silvery blue-white Noctilucent Clouds is starting. Only seen between late May and the end of July, NLC can fill half the sky with swirls, curls and whirls of electric blue - well worth staying up for.

Stuart Atkinson