October 2024 guarantees an unforgettable lineup for stargazers and astronomy lovers alike. From distant galaxies and meteor showers to a spectacular annular photo voltaic eclipse, the skies shall be filled with wonders. Seize your binoculars or telescope, and put together for a month of cosmic exploration.
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Listing of Meteor Showers in October 2024
- ν-Eridanids: Begin on September 1; peak on September 6; finish on October 29.
- Daytime Sextantids: Begin on September 9; peak on September 27; finish on October 9.
- October Camelopardalids: Begin on October 5; peak on October 6; finish on October 6.
- Draconids: Begin on October 6; peak on October 8; finish on October 10.
- Southern Taurids: Begin on September 10; peak on October 10; finish on November 20.
- δ-Aurigids: Begin on October 10; peak on October 11; finish on October 18.
- ε-Geminids: Begin on October 14; peak on October 18; finish on October 27.
- Orionids: Begin on October 2; peak on October 22; finish on November 7.
- Leonis Minorids: Begin on October 19; peak on October 24; finish on October 27.
- Northern Taurids: Begin on October 20; peak on November 12; finish on December 10.
We even have an entire checklist of meteor showers for the complete yr of 2024 right here.
Listing of Planetary Conjunctions in October 2024
- Conjunction of the Moon and Venus in Libra on October 5.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn in Aquarius on October 14.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter in Taurus on October 21.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mars in Gemini on October 23.
October 1: The Andromeda Galaxy at its highest level within the sky
The most important galaxy within the native group, Andromeda (Messier 31, M31, or NGC 224), will attain its highest level within the sky at round midnight native time.
The galaxy will attain an obvious magnitude of three.4, and the Moon gained’t be interfering with stargazing this early October 2024, as a result of will probably be a waning crescent (1%) at 28 days previous. It will be very tough to identify with the bare eye, however fairly simple with a pair of binoculars or a small telescope. Look within the constellation of Andromeda, after which the galaxy was named.
The Andromeda Galaxy seems to be like such a small pinprick of sunshine when noticed from Earth, however in actuality you’re one trillion stars there! Simply think about!
October 2: Annular photo voltaic eclipse
An annular photo voltaic eclipse occurs when the Moon is just too distant from the Earth to fully cowl the Solar. This creates a hoop of sunshine across the darkened Moon. The corona just isn’t seen throughout an annular eclipse. (See featured picture on the high of the article.)
The eclipse will start within the Pacific Ocean off the coast of South America and proceed throughout Chile and Argentina. A partial eclipse can even be seen throughout a lot of South America. See NASA’s reality sheet under.
Watch out to not look immediately on the Solar and particularly to not level a telescope at it. That is very harmful to your eyes and should end in everlasting eye harm.
October 4: The Small Magellanic Cloud at its highest level within the sky
The Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) is a satellite tv for pc galaxy of the Milky Manner. The galaxy will attain its highest level within the sky at round midnight native time.
With an obvious magnitude of two.7, the SMC may be seen with the bare eye, however for higher outcomes I’d advocate no less than a pair of ordinary binoculars. Look within the constellation of Tucana within the Southern Hemisphere. Fortunately, there shall be no interference from the Moon as a result of will probably be a 2 days previous waxing crescent at 6%.
The Small Magellanic Cloud is situated 204,000 light-years from us. It has been named after Ferdinand Magellan who noticed it throughout his voyage of circumnavigation of the world in 1519.
October 5: October Camelopardalid meteor bathe peak
The October Camelopardalids are a brief and variable meteor bathe that can peak on October 5 and can solely final till the following day. The meteors will radiate from the constellation of Camelopardalis on the pace of 46 km/s on common. The Moon shall be a 3 days previous waxing crescent at 9%.
October 5: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus
The Moon and Venus shall be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 3°00′ of one another.
Across the identical time, the 2 our bodies can even make a detailed strategy (appulse) reaching 2°48′ from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension.
Search for the 2 our bodies within the constellation of Libra. The Moon shall be a really skinny waxing crescent (11%) at 3 days previous and won’t intrude a lot. Regardless of this, the Moon will nonetheless be at obvious magnitude of -9.9, whereas Venus shall be at magnitude -4.0.
October 7: Asteroid 39 Laetitia at opposition
The asteroid 39 Laetitia shall be at opposition at round midnight native time. It is going to attain the very best level within the sky and reverse to the Solar.
On the identical time the asteroid shall be closest to the Earth (perigee) at a distance of 1.479 AU. At the moment will probably be the brightest, with an obvious magnitude of 9.2. Look within the constellation of Cetus, with no less than a 4-inch telescope.
October 8: Draconid meteor bathe peak
The Draconids are one other quick and variable meteor bathe that can peak on October 8. Some meteors might also be noticed between October 6 and October 10. They’ll radiate from the constellation of Draco on the pace of 20 km/s on common. The Moon shall be a 6 days previous waxing crescent at 31%.
October 9: Jupiter enters retrograde movement
Jupiter will start retrograde movement, which implies it can cease touring eastward by means of the constellations and as an alternative flip to journey west. All the outer planets within the photo voltaic system periodically expertise this orientation reversal, which happens a couple of months earlier than they attain opposition.
Historic observers had been troubled by retrograde movement as a result of it didn’t match with their perception in uniform round orbits across the Earth. The phenomenon is definitely resulting from Earth’s orbit across the Solar, which shifts our perspective and causes planets to look to maneuver forwards and backwards within the sky whereas persevering with their general eastward path by means of the constellations.
Jupiter may be noticed within the constellation of Taurus with an obvious magnitude of -2.6.
October 10: Southern Taurid meteor bathe peak
The Southern Taurids will peak on October 10 with a zenithal hourly charge of 5. The Moon a 8 days previous waning crescent at 48%.
Some meteors might also be noticed between September 10 and November 20. They’ll radiate from the constellation of Cetus on the pace of 27 km/s on common. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the asteroid 39 Laetitia at opposition.)
October 11: δ-Aurigid meteor bathe peak
The Delta Aurigids are a small meteor bathe with a median of two meteors per hour (ZHR) in the course of the peak if circumstances are very best. The Moon shall be 9 days previous waxing gibbous at 59%.
Some meteors might also be noticed between October 10 and 18. They’ll radiate from the constellation of Auriga on the pace of 64 km/s on common.
October 12: Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) at perigee
The comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) will attain perigee, that means it can attain the closest level in its orbit to the Earth at a distance of 0.46 AU. It is going to have an obvious magnitude of two.8 in keeping with the BAA Comet Section, so seen to the bare eye. Look within the constellation of Virgo.
October 14: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon and Saturn will attain conjunction passing inside 6’45” of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
At across the identical time the 2 our bodies can even make a detailed strategy (appulse) reaching 6 arcminutes from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension. In some elements of South Asia and East Africa this distance shall be so shut as to result in a lunar occultation of Saturn, that means the Moon will go in entrance of Saturn thereby hiding it from view briefly.
The Moon shall be at obvious magnitude -12.7 and Saturn at magnitude 0.6 each within the constellation of Aquarius. The Moon shall be 12 days previous waxing gibbous at 92%, only a day away from full moon.
October 14: The Triangulum Galaxy at its highest level within the sky
The Triangulum Galaxy (Messier 33, M33, or NGC 598) will attain its highest level within the sky at round midnight native time. It may be discovered within the Triangulum constellation, not removed from its neighbor the Andromeda Galaxy.
It is going to attain obvious magnitude 5.8 with some interference from the Moon, which shall be 12 days previous waxing gibbous at 93%. Will probably be extraordinarily tough to identify with the bare eye, so a pair of binoculars or a small telescope can be really helpful.
October 17: Asteroid 19 Fortuna at opposition
The asteroid 19 Fortuna shall be at opposition at round midnight native time. It is going to attain the very best level within the sky and reverse to the Solar.
On the identical time the asteroid shall be closest to the Earth (perigee) at a distance of 1.072 AU. At the moment will probably be the brightest, with an obvious magnitude of 9.3. Look within the constellation of Pisces, with no less than a 4-inch telescope.
October 17: Dwarf planet Eris at opposition
The dwarf planet 136199 Eris will attain some extent reverse to the Solar within the sky, generally known as an opposition. This can occur round midnight native time, no matter the place on the earth you’re.
ESO/L. Calçada and Nick Risinger. License: CC BY 4.0.
With an obvious magnitude of 18.6, you’ll most positively want a strong telescope. If in case you have entry to at least one, look within the constellation of Cetus. The Moon will sadly be interfering fairly a bit in stargazing this center of October 2024 as will probably be on the full moon section.
At about the identical time, Eris can even make its closest strategy to the Earth (perigee) at a distance of 94.66 AU, making this the very best time to look at the dwarf planet.
October 18: ε-Geminid meteor bathe peak
The Epsilon Geminids are a small meteor bathe with solely 3 meteors on common in the course of the peak if circumstances are good. Though the height is on October 18, some meteors is also noticed between October 14 and 27.
The meteors will seem to radiate from the constellation of Gemini on the quick common pace of 70 km/s. They originate from particles of the comet C/1964 N1 (Ikeya).
October 19: Shut strategy of the Moon and the Pleiades
The Moon and the Pleiades (often known as M45 or Messier 45) will make a detailed strategy, passing inside solely 11.6 arcminutes of one another.
Each objects shall be within the constellation of Taurus with the Moon being at obvious magnitude -12.7; and the Pleiades at 1.3. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Jupiter getting into retrograde movement.) The Moon shall be 17 days previous waning gibbous at 88%.
October 21: Orionid meteor bathe peak
The Orionids are a medium sized meteor bathe with a median of 15 meteors in the course of the peak if circumstances are optimum. Some meteors can be seen between October 2 and November 7.
The meteors will seem to radiate from the constellation of Orion on the quick pace of 66 km/s on common. They originate from particles left behind by the well-known Halley’s Comet. The Moon shall be 19 days previous waning gibbous at 76%.
October 21: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
The Moon and Jupiter will attain conjunction passing inside 5°48′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
Across the identical time, the 2 our bodies can even make a detailed strategy (appulse) reaching 5°47′ from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension.
The Moon shall be at obvious magnitude -12.5 and Jupiter at magnitude -2.6 each within the constellation of Taurus. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Jupiter getting into retrograde movement.) The Moon shall be 19 days previous waning gibbous at 75%.
October 23: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars
The Moon and Mars shall be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 3°54′ of one another.
Across the identical time, the 2 our bodies can even make a detailed strategy (appulse) reaching 3°49′ from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension.
Search for the 2 our bodies within the constellation of Gemini. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the ε-Geminid meteor bathe peak.) The Moon shall be a really skinny waning gibbous (50%) at 21 days previous. The Moon will nonetheless be at obvious magnitude of -12.0, whereas Mars shall be at magnitude 0.2.
October 24: Leonis Minorid meteor bathe peak
The Leonis Minorids are the ultimate meteor bathe to peak this month of October. It’s a small one with solely 2 meteors per hour on common in the course of the peak, with very best viewing circumstances. Sadly the viewing circumstances is not going to be very best due to the Moon’s partial interference. Will probably be a 22 days previous waning crescent at 45%.
Some meteors can be seen between October 19 and 27, radiating from the constellation of Leo Minor on the excessive common pace of 62 km/s. The originate from particles of the comet C/1739 K1.
October 27: Asteroid 1036 Ganymed at opposition
Asteroid 1036 Ganymed will attain opposition, when it lies reverse to the Solar within the sky. It is going to attain the very best level within the sky round midnight native time.
On this event, the asteroid Ganymed will go inside 0.412 AU of Earth and attain a peak brightness of obvious magnitude 9.2. Sadly even on the peak, this asteroid shall be too faint to look at with the bare eye. You will want no less than a 4 inch telescope, which it’s best to level in the direction of the constellation of Pegasus. The Moon shall be a 25 days previous waning crescent at 18%.
Moon Phases in October 2024
As you recognize, the Moon has a big effect on the visibility of celestial our bodies and astronomical occasions within the evening sky. So that will help you with stargazing, right here’s a calendar of the phases of Moon for this month of October 2024:
Positions of the Planets in October 2024
- Mercury: The closest planet to the Solar may be seen at daybreak and nightfall travelling throughout the constellation of Virgo. This planet, being the closest to the Solar, will seem to maneuver shortly within the evening sky and its place will change within the following weeks.
- Venus: The sister planet may be seen travelling throughout the constellation of Libra. Similar to Mercury, Venus can solely be seen at daybreak and nightfall.
- Mars: The crimson planet may be seen within the constellation of Gemini later within the month.
- Jupiter: The fuel big is seen within the constellation of Taurus. Jupiter can simply be noticed with the bare eye, even in extremely illuminated cities.
- Saturn: The ringed big may be seen with the bare eye within the constellation of Aquarius.
- Uranus: The ice big may be seen within the constellation of Taurus with using a telescope.
- Neptune: The blue big requires a telescope pointed within the constellation of Pisces so as to be seen.
Positions of Dwarf Planets and Massive Asteroids in October 2024
- Ceres: The asteroid belt’s lone dwarf planet may be seen within the constellation of Sagittarius with the assistance of a telescope.
- Vesta: This huge asteroid may be seen within the constellation of Leo with a telescope.
- Pallas: The asteroid may be noticed with a telescope within the constellation of Hercules.
- Hygiea: The fourth largest asteroid may be discovered with a telescope within the constellation of Aries.
- Pluto: This distant dwarf planet may be discovered within the constellation of Capricornus with the assistance of a giant telescope.
Main astronomical occasions subsequent month – November 2024
- November 12: Northern Taurid meteor bathe peak
- November 13: Asteroid 11 Parthenope at opposition
- November 15: Saturn ends retrograde movement
- November 17: Leonid meteor bathe peak
- November 17: Uranus at opposition
- November 21: α-Monocerotid meteor bathe peak
- November 28: November Orionid meteor bathe peak
- November 28: Comet 333P/LINEAR passes perihelion
Conclusion
October 2024 gives spectacular stargazing and astronomy occasions. From viewing the Andromeda Galaxy at its highest level to meteor showers and planetary conjunctions, there’s lots to take pleasure in.
To make sure you don’t miss out on any celestial happenings, join our e-newsletter to obtain stargazing calendars and extra updates. Joyful stargazing!
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