Night Sky Guide for October 2009
Jupiter, the Harvest Moon, Morning Conjunctions, and Orionid Meteors
Sep 14, 2009
This October hosts the Harvest Moon early in the month, which means the Orionids later in the month will occur close to a new moon.
October's Harvest Moon
Every few years, the full moon closest to the equinox that earns the name of the Harvest Moon falls in October instead of September. This is one of those years. The moon reaches full stage at 2:10 a.m. EDT on October 4, 2009. On the west coast of the United States, the full moon occurs just before midnight on October 3. For observers in North America who watch the moon rise at sunset, the moon will look fullest on the 3rd.
On October 7, two hours after sunset, the moon will rise near the Pleiades star cluster. On October 26, the bright point of light by the moon is Jupiter, which shines at magnitude -2.6. Halloween, October 31, will not host the full moon, but it will be 95%-lit because the next full moon is only two days later. The time of sunset on Halloween depends on location. For example, Chicago will see the sun set at 5:45 p.m., while down in Houston the sun will set almost an hour later, at 6:35 p.m.
Orionid Meteor Shower for October
This October's Orionid meteor shower peaks before dawn on October 21. For viewers who would rather look after sunset, try October 20. The constellation Orion, from which the Orionid meteors appear to emanate, does not rise until late evening, however. Orionid meteors are the product of debris left behind by Halley's Comet. The peak of the shower brings about 25 meteors per hour.
Mighty Jupiter Reigns in October
The evening sky is nearly devoid of bright planets except for Jupiter, which has been in the south all summer long. Now that it's fall, Jupiter is still up most the night, found in the southeast and shining brighter than any star. The planet has been in the constellation of Capricornus the Seat Goat, not far from Neptune. The two planets had a close encounter earlier this summer and will have another one in mid-December when they will only be a half degree apart. This will be a great opportunity for observers to bag Neptune for the first time.
Planetary Conjunctions in the Morning and Mars on Halloween
Two days this month will see Saturn less than a degree from two of the inner planets. The first occurs before dawn on October 8, when Saturn and Mercury will lie less than a half degree apart in the east. Brilliant Venus will lie about six degrees above the pair. Saturn is dimmer than Mercury because its rings are still tilted so that they show little of their face and are reflecting less light now.
The second conjunction with Saturn occurs on October 13 when brilliant Venus pulls alongside of the Ringed Planet. Mercury has slipped lower than the pair and is closer to the sun rising on the eastern horizon.
On Halloween, October 31, those up late will be able to spot Mars smack dab at the center of the Beehive Cluster in the constellation Cancer. Use binoculars or a telescope at low power for the best view.
 |
