Walk beneath starlit skies

Discover the best local spot for star-gazing - as far away from sources of light pollution as possible. Wrap up warm, take a torch, Thermos, a pair of binoculars and a blanket, having learned to identify key constellations with the help of a star map for February, or a planisphere, beforehand.

Once outside, you'll need a few minutes to adjust your eyes, but you'll soon be navigating the sky together, spellbound by its luminous planets and galaxies. See below for our pick of star-related publications and websites to get the most out of your walk.

Planispheres and star maps

'Philip's Planisphere: Northern 51.5 Degrees - British Isles, Northern Europe Northern USA and Canada' by Philip's Astronomy (Philip's, £7.99)

'Philip's Stargazing 2011' by Heather Couper and Nigel Henbest (Philip's, £6.99)

'Patrick Moore's Yearbook of Astronomy 2011' by Patrick Moore (Macmillan, £16.99)

'Astronomy Manual: The Practical Guide to the Night Sky' by Jane A. Green (J H Haynes & Co Ltd, £19.99)

'The Practical Astronomer' by Anton Vamplew and Will Gater (Dorling Kindersley, £14.99)

'DK Handbook: Stars and Planets' by Ian Ridpath (Dorling Kindersley, £12.99)

'Philip's Star Chart' (Philip's, £5.99)

'Guide to the Night Sky: A Guided Tour of the Stars and Constellations' by Sir Patrick Moore (Philip's, £4.99)

'Guide to Stars and Planets' by Sir Patrick Moore (Philip's, £9.99)

'Simple Stargazing' by Anton Vamplew (Collins, £12.99)

'Stargazing: Astronomy without a Telescope by Patrick Moore' (Cambridge University Press, 2^nd edition, £18.99)

'Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe' by Terence Dickinson (A & C Black Publishers Ltd, New Ed edition, £29.99)

'Turn Left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope - and How to Find Them' by Guy Consolmagno and Dan M. Davies (Cambridge University Press, 3^rd edition, £23.99)

'The Backyard Astronomer's Guide' by Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer (Firefly Books Ltd, 3^rd Revised edition, £30)

'Sky & Telescope's Pocket Sky Atlas' by Roger W. Sinnott (Sky Publishing Corporation, Spi edition, £19.99)

Astronomical societies

Discover a comprehensive list of Astronomical Societies found in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, by checking out the Federation of Astronomical Societies.

Organised stargazing events

An extensive list of stargazing events held across the UK throughout January is available at the BBC's ‘Stargazing Live' webpage. For a chance to see the beauty of Britain's Jurassic Coast under a dazzling night sky, there are also various stargazing events held at the visitor centre in Durlston, Dorset. Details are on the Durlston events webpage.