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THERE is nothing that marks the passing of the seasons quite like the night sky. When I look up to see the summer triangle shining overhead, it feels like summer here in the UK. The first time I spot Orion lingering over the horizon, I know that the summer is over. And nothing says winter is coming like seeing the Pleiades star cluster while out walking the dog.

The Pleiades is visible from July, so it isn’t only a winter feature in my northern hemisphere skies. But in November and December, it starts to twinkle here as soon as the sun has set, lighting up my walk with its distinctive shape, like a tiny rectangle. It sits in the constellation of Taurus, which is visible at this time of year in the east or north-east all over the world, as soon as the sun has set.

The Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters, is an open star cluster – a group of young stars that all formed from the same clump of gas and dust – that sits about 440 light years from Earth. Some people refer to the Pleiades as the mini-Plough, because a few of its brightest stars, which can be seen with the naked eye, form a pattern that looks like a tiny version of the Plough, or Big Dipper.

This week, we are looking for another star cluster in Taurus that is great to spot at this time of year. The Hyades, because its arrival marked the start of the rainy season in Greece, is about 150 light years away and is the closest star cluster to Earth. It sits right in the middle of Taurus, and right in the middle of the Hyades is Aldebaran, the brightest star in Taurus and the 15th brightest in the night sky.

Although it is in the same place in the sky, Aldebaran isn’t a part of the Hyades cluster. In fact, this red giant is even closer to us – 65 light years from Earth. But Aldebaran will still help you to spot the Hyades. First, locate the Pleiades, then Betelgeuse, the red giant in Orion’s shoulder. Look between these features and you will see the bright star Aldebaran.

Alternatively, you can find the Hyades using Orion’s belt. In the northern hemisphere, follow the three stars of Orion’s belt from left to right. In the southern hemisphere, go from right to left. Keep this line going until you see a bright star, which will be Aldebaran. To check you have got it right, keep going and you should see the Pleiades.

In the patch of sky surrounding Aldebaran, you will see the Hyades, a V-shaped group of stars. Because it is so close, it is one of the best clusters to spot individual stars within. Four of these form a group of stars known as the head of the bull, including Epsilon Tauri, the eye of the bull, which is orbited by an exoplanet that is bigger than Jupiter. The four bright stars will be visible even in places with light pollution, but go to a darker sky for a clearer view. You can bring binoculars with you to see many more stars.

Abigail Beall is a features editor at ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓƵ and author of The Art of Urban Astronomy @abbybeall