Fall is a wonderful time to get out and enjoy the beauty of the night sky. This is prime time for stargazing - the nights are longer, the bugs are all but gone and, with less moisture in the air, the sky is clearer. Even if you're not a stargazing fan, you should still take the time to sit back and enjoy the night sky.

Even though summer has passed, the Summer Triangle can still be seen in the western sky. It's easy to pick out with its three bright stars, Vega, Altair and Deneb.

In the northern sky, the Big Dipper is low along the horizon. With the rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania, it may be hidden from more than a few Butler County residents.

Many people incorrectly assume that the Big Dipper is a constellation. It is actually a "star pattern" that makes up the tail end of the Ursa Major constellation.

Over in the eastern sky, Pegasus, the winged horse, will be clearly visible.

In early November, Mars will be at its closest point to us in nearly two years - about 43 million miles away. Look for it all this month in the eastern sky after 9 p.m. It will be the brightest object in that region of the night sky.Mike Lynch is an amateur astronomer and professional broadcast meteorologist for WCCO Radio on Minneapolis and author of the new book, "Pennsylvania Starwatch," available at bookstores and at his Web site www.lynchandthestars.com