A beginner's guide to winter stargazing in Renfrewshire

A silhouette of an astronomer and his telescope look up at a dark sky filled with stars.

Winter is a great time to explore what the night sky has to offer. The dark nights make this time of year the perfect opportunity to do some stargazing. Away from the bright and busy landscape of Glasgow, Renfrewshire has some excellent spots for stargazing. Whether you’re a stargazing pro or looking for a new hobby in 2025, this beginner’s guide to winter stargazing makes sure that everyone can get involved.

What can you expect to see?

During the winter months, you will be able to see a variety of celestial objects including planets, constellations, and meteor showers.

Constellations

Orion, Taurus, and Gemini are prominent winter constellations. Look out for Orion’s Belt, a distinctive pattern of three bright stars.

Planets

Keep an eye out for these four planets that will be visible in the night sky:

Venus shines brightly in the West at dusk and sets about an hour after the Sun. It is the brightest object in the sky, after the Sun and the Moon.
Saturn is low in the Southern sky and is visible as soon as it is dark, setting around 10pm. Although it is getting earlier each night. By the end of January, it will be below the horizon by 9pm.
Jupiter is high in the sky and visible all night. It is the brightest object in the sky after Venus and currently lies in the constellation of Taurus the Bull.
You can find Mars in the constellation of Gemini. Mars rises around 7pm and is visible all night. It’s easy to spot by its distinctive red colour.

Meteor showers

The Quadrantid meteor shower is the first big astronomical event of 2025. Nowadays, the shower is associated with the constellation of Bootes the Herdsman. To find this, follow the handle of the Plough as it curves downwards, pointing to Arcturus, the brightest star in Bootes.

Meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, but if you follow their trail back and they lead you to Bootes, then it is likely that it was a Quadrantid meteor. The Quadrantids are active from 26 December to 12 January. At the peak, you can see up to 120 meteors per hour, in ideal conditions.

Where to stargaze in Renfrewshire

There are several places across Renfrewshire where you can escape the bright city lights and enjoy a clear view of the night sky. You can see about 2,500 stars from a dark sky location, without using any specialist equipment, compared to about only 100 from a busy town or city.

Head to quieter, less populated areas of Renfrewshire such as village outskirts, countryside locations, and local parks, especially those that are further from urban areas.

Visit Go Stargazing: Stargazing in Renfrewshire for more information on all things stargazing in the area.

Tips for beginner stargazers

Find a dark sky location. The darker the sky, the clearer your view will be and the more stars you will be able to see.
Give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness. It can take 20 to 30 minutes for your eyes to fully adapt to the environment.
Use a star chart or app to help you. A star chart or a stargazing app can help you to identify constellations and celestial objects. Check out the BBC’s Sky at Night online magazine for a list of 14 of the best stargazing apps.
Wrap up in warm clothing. Winter nights can be chilly, so dress in layers to keep warm.
Check the weather ahead of time. Cloud-free nights are the best for seeing the stars clearly, so keep an eye on the weather forecast.

Dark Sky Viewing Nights

Check out these Dark Sky Viewing Nights at Muirshiel Visitor Centre and Castle Semple Visitor Centre.

Tickets cost £9.50 and include a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit. Head to Clyde Murshiel’s event page for more information.

20 January 2025

Muirshiel Visitor Centre

17 February 2025