Starwatch: Mars signposts the beautiful Beehive cluster

The view looking east from London at 0200 BST on 13 October, with Mars near the Beehive cluster in the constellation Cancer. Illustration: Guardian GraphicsView image in fullscreenThe view looking east from London at 0200 BST on 13 October, with Mars near the Beehive cluster in the constellation Cancer. Illustration: Guardian GraphicsStarwatch: Mars signposts the beautiful Beehive clusterFrom a dark location, the Beehive – or Praesepe – will appear as a faint, misty patch very close to the red planet

The red planet, Mars, sails through the beautiful cluster of stars known as the Beehive this week. Catalogued as Messier 44, the cluster lies in the constellation Cancer. It has been known since antiquity, when its hazy appearance earned it the Latin name Praesepe, meaning a manger or crib.

Although it is one of the brightest star clusters in the night sky, it can be surprisingly difficult to locate because Cancer contains no bright stars to guide the eye towards it. Thankfully, this week Mars acts as the signpost.

The chart shows the view looking east from London at 0200 BST on 13 October. Mars will appear as a moderately bright, distinctly red-looking object. Once you have Mars in your sights, look carefully around the planet. From a dark location, the Beehive will appear as a faint, misty patch very close to Mars.

Light pollution will make the cluster much harder to see, and wherever you are observing, make sure you allow sufficient time for your eyes to adjust to the dark. This can take about 20 minutes, so resist the temptation to look at the bright screen of your phone.

If you have binoculars, they will reveal the cluster beautifully, transforming the indistinct haze into a scattering of individual stars.