2 can’t- miss stargazing events this month

Though the harvestmoon has already come and gone, there area couple more astronomical events taking place in October. So, mark your calendars and take note of these events set to occur.

Wednesday: Orionid meteor shower hits it speak

The American Meteor Society( AMS) reports that every October, the Orionid meteor shower is produced when the Earth passes through the inbound debris of Halley’s comet. It’s predicted that the greatest activity will occur on Wednesday morning. AMS states that the best time to see the meteors is from 1 a. m. to dawn.

The moon should not be an issue, but if cloud cover or bright city lights obstruct your view, you can glimpse the shower a second time overnight— ina safe rural setting if city lights are a problem — as Wednesday turns into Thursday. Orionid activity will be nearly as strong as it was early Wednesday.

Oct. 31: A blue moon covers the Halloween sky

There’s a full moon in store for Halloween this year, and CNET reports it’s rare because, for the first time since World War II, practically the entire world will be able to see it. The Oct. 31 blue moon is called that because it’s the second full moon in the same month. It follows the harvest moon that rose in the sky Oct. 1- 3.

No special equipment is needed to see the bluemoon in all its glory. Astronomy educator and former planetarium director Jeffrey Hunt told CNET all you have to do is “[ w] alk outside, and take a look.”

Still, though people in North and South America, Africa, Europe and most of Asia will get a look at the blue moon, residents in central and eastern Australia won’t see it.