I just spent a few minutes outside with my laptop in hand and Stellarium loaded up to stare at the sky. I managed to track down the Cassiopia and Andromeda constellations but more importantly I discovered the one star that has always been a mystery to me.

I’ve always been a fan of the way stars twinkle. This particular star has always been a brilliant white and flickers around what looks like red, blue and green as well. People always tell me it’s a plane or possibly a satillite.

It’s name is Capella (A). It’s the 11th brightest star seen from Earth, which overshadows my previous find of Antares (a brilliant flickering red star) which comes in as the 16th brightest.

And it’s such a feeling to be looking at the Andromeda constellation and know that the Andromeda galaxy is right in line with it. Of course it’s not visible to the naked eye, but to know where it is and where to look if I had the equipment… I wish I could see it.

I’m a hopeless romantic when it comes to the stars. You know the guy in Gattaca? Yeah, that’s me. I’d do anything to see the stars up close. I know it will never happen but every night it gives me something to hope for.

Now here’s hoping I can stay awake for the next meteor shower!