Tonight is the optimal night of the month for observing the stars above. A new moon means no waiting for the moon to disappear to see the really faint stuff.

I'll be out observing the constellation Orion, and M42/NGC1976, the Orion Nebula. If you're in the northern hemisphere and you can see Orions Belt, look just below the three stars that make up his belt for a bright spot. That is the Orion Nebula. If you see it, just remember I'll be looking at it too, and that's the same as sitting side by side and looking together.

• I edit this to change the NGC number. I had it wrong originally. Sorry, I'm an amateur.