LOOK WAY UP

In his column, Glenn K. Roberts explains that Venus and Mars are in the Zodiacal Light this month

Jupiter is still visible through the first few days of October, very low above the western horizon in the afterglow of sunset. Later this month, on Oct. 26, Jupiter is in superior conjunction (passing behind) with the sun and disappears from view, returning around Nov. 7 low in the east at dawn.

Saturn (mag. +0.5) appears low in the SW during twilight all this month, setting about three and a half hour after sunset as October opens and about two and a half by the end of the month. The planet’s magnificent ring system is tilted at maximum 27 degrees as seen from Earth. On Oct. 23, Saturn shines low in the SW to the left of the waxing, crescent moon. On the evening of Oct. 24, the visibly thicker, crescent moon has moved to the upper left of Saturn.

Venus (mag. -3.9) and Mars (mag. +1.8) put on quite a display this month, low above the eastern horizon just before sunrise. Mars begins October sitting below Venus as both planets rise, but by the third week, it sits well above its bright neighbour. You will need binoculars to spot Mars, as it is almost at its dimmest for the year. On Oct 5, the two planets visually pass very close to each other, almost appearing as one object. At that time, the planets will sit about a hand’s width (at arm’s length) above the eastern horizon about an hour before sunrise. On Oct. 17, look for bright Venus just above the eastern horizon, with the thin, waning crescent moon to its upper left and Mars to the upper right of the moon.

Mercury, currently a morning object, is in superior conjunction with the sun on Oct. 8, passing behind it to reappear in the evening sky around Nov. 17.

The Orionid meteor shower (radiant, or apparent point of origin, in the constellation of Orion - the Hunter) peaks on the night/morning of Oct. 20/21. The Orionids and the Eta Aquarids in May are both remnant debris from Comet Halley. This year, under a moonless sky during the best viewing period of the pre-dawn hours, expect to see about 20+ bright, swift meteors per hour from a dark site.

During the last two weeks of the month, try to see if you can spot the Zodiacal Light in the east about 2 hours before sunrise. Look for a tall, dim, pyramid-shaped glow of light stretching from the horizon upward (leaning slightly to the right), with Venus and Mars at its base. This is sunlight reflecting off dust particles in the inner portion of the solar system. It is best seen from a dark site, away from city lights. To find out more about the Zodiacal Light and the best time of view it, go to Google.

October’s full moon on Oct. 5 is often referred to as the Hunter’s Moon. It is also sometimes referred to by some people as the Harvest Moon, though we typically reserve that name for the full moon in September. Nowadays, hunters are not permitted to hunt at night in most areas, but farmers can still utilize the light of the full moon to bring in their crops.

Until next month, clear skies.