I HOPE some of you managed to see the surprise display of the Northern Lights that saw in the New Year. Although it didn't rival the vivid, swooshing displays visible from Norway, etc, on either side of midnight on New Year's Eve a bright green arc spanned the northern sky and beams and pillars of lavender and purple speared up from it towards the Plough. It was clearly visible from Kendal, and was a great way for sky watchers to say goodbye to what has been a very frustrating and disappointing December. The Sun is still very active, so keep an eye on the northern sky on any clear night, just in case 'The Merrie Dancers' dance again...

The morning sky is decorated with planets, and by 6.30am four are strung out in a line. Jupiter is a bright blue white 'star' high in the south, with fainter and more orange-coloured Mars way down to its lower left. Dazzling Venus now shines very low in the east, with gold-hued Saturn close by. Before dawn on the 9th, Venus and Saturn will appear very close together in the sky. Venus will be on Saturn's left, and the pair will be a stunning sight - perfect for looking at through those binoculars or that telescope you were bought - or treated yourself to - for Christmas. After the 9th they will drift apart, with Venus getting lower, and a little harder to see, each morning.