IT’S the darkest heart of winter. December 21 is the Winter Solstice and the shortest day, with sunrise at 8.30am GMT and sunset at 4pm GMT (times vary according to location). Shorter hours of daylight increase the opportunity to see any aurora - look north after dark.

Venus can be seen setting soon after the sun. Keep up to date with conditions at www.spaceweather.com

The phases of the moon are: New Moon, December 1; First Quarter, December 8; Full Moon - the Cold Moon - December 15; Last Quarter, December 22.

There are two opportunities to see meteor showers: the Geminids peaking on December 14 and 15, and the Lyrids over the Christmas period.

Brian Sheen runs the Roseland Observatory at Truro High School for Girls. Visit Facebook @roselandobservatory.