Though we may not have the warm temperatures of summer, there’s still lots of different outdoor opportunities to take advantage of during winter. Marion County naturalist Marla Mertz says this can be the perfect time of year for some star-gazing opportunities. She explains stars during the winter sky are different than those in the summer, and the crisp winter air can offer more optimal viewing conditions than summer.

Mertz says she’s not an expert astronomer, but there’s many books and material available online to help get guidance on what to look for. She adds that being in a rural area means you don’t have to drive too far to find a location without much light pollution.