FINALLY, the 2017 noctilucent clouds observing season has kicked off, writes STUART ATKINSON. As I write this there has been a good displays the past three nights in a row, and one of them, on Saturday night into Sunday morning, was the brightest and most impressive display since the so-called Great Storm of 2014. Of course, I missed it because the sky where I was ('down south' for an astronomy festival) was cloudy - and of course it was clear in Cumbria while I was away! Never mind. I hope some of you saw it.

This means it is now more important than ever to keep an eye on the northern sky around and after midnight from now until the start of August. Another major display could happen any night, and it might develop into a jaw-droppingly stunning storm, which could paint half the sky with beautiful whirls, swirls and ribbons of electric blue light. We can't predict the appearance of noctilucent clouds (NLC) very accurately, so it means getting out and looking - and crossing your fingers.

If you have no NLC be sure to look to the south west after dark, where you'll find Jupiter still blazing away. Having found Jupiter, swing your gaze around until you're facing due south, and even lower in the sky you'll see a golden-hued Saturn, too.

Stuart Atkinson