It's winter now and looking up at a clear sky, you can see many constellations, when standing in your garden or on your terrace. Brings back wonderful memories of us as children, when my Mum would stand in the garden in Hayes Road and point up at the night sky and show us her absolute favourite constellation -- Orion. Frankly as kids we just stood in the chill winter air, staring up to oblige her and saw nothing of interest, at least I did not. Mum loved Greek Mythology and so looking at the constellations named after Greek mythical figures, she could connect the dots.

Only later when I was older with my own sons, and she would still point them out, I really began to ‘see’ Orion, my first constellation to plot. “ Orion, the Hunter,” said Mum. “ And if you look east after 8 pm in the evening, you can easily plot it. Look for three bright stars in a single line very close to each other. It is very easy to plot. In a good sky, you can see other stars too.You have to plot the constellation, it’s not an image that is there to see.”

However today when we involuntarily look up at the night sky, we expect to see a star-studded sky as seen in a planetarium. However, as it turns out, due to high light pollution, we don’t get much to see, in the city skies. Light pollution is increasingly taking stars away from us. There is no immediate solution for the light pollution issue, although efforts are on around the world to try and curb it.

So over the years I have taught myself to plot a few constellations that Mum showed us. Lyra is another easy to spot constellation. Lyra is associated with the myth of Orpheus the great musician. Orpheus was given the harp by Apollo, and it’s said that his music was more beautiful than that of any mortal man. His music could soothe anger and bring joy to weary hearts.But most stars aren't so bright which makes it difficult to plot. The reason I said it is easy to spot is because of Vega (the fifth brightest star in night sky). Look towards the north-western direction in the late evenings and the brightest star you can see in that zone is Vega.

Mum was fond of Cygnus or the Swan too. It is fairly easy to plot. Once you have found Vega, go north slightly and you can see three stars in a single line, you can see four, if you have a good sky and an another star a little north from the middle of the three stars making it look like 'T'. Also this last star will be the brightest if all the stars in the constellation. This constellation is Cygnus, the Swan and the bright star is Deneb the 20th brightest star in the night sky.

Another favourite of hers was Cassiopeia or simply known as the Queen, which is one of the easiest constellations to plot. After 8 pm it will be above your head in Bangalore. You will see a triangle with all the three stars with nearly the same brightness and then another star beside this triangle. If you have a clear sky, you will be able to see all the five stars, making the constellation seem like a 'W' or 'M'. This is the Queen.

And like Mum jokingly said -- look for Cepheus, if there is Queen, there is bound to be the King around her! From Cassiopeia, look west, and you will see a bright star. If you are looking in the evening, don't confuse this one with Polaris. Normally you can only see a single star, but there are multiple stars which can be viewed only if you have a good sky.

Pegasus or the mythical winged stallion was another constellation Mum pointed out.” In the evening, look straight above your head. Find four stars forming a rectangle and then connect the other small stars with the vertices. You will also find a bright star forming the head of the Pegasus,” she said and the boys checked what Pegasus looked like in the encyclopedia. A really beautiful, mythical horse.

Ursa Minor was also another constellation she knew but even then, the only star you can see in this constellation is Polaris, because of light pollution. Look direct north, and the single bright star you can see is Polaris.

And around 8 pm, look for Orion and then go down towards the horizon and spot Canis Major. You will see the brightest star of the night sky, Sirius. It is very bright and easily spotted. Close to Sirius, you can see all the other stars of the constellation.

Other stars that she said you can also see were signs of the Zodiac - Pisces, Aquarius, Sagittarius, Capricorn,Scorpio. Ofcourse mine - Aries I tried, but could never plot.