The moon is new Oct. 6, lunation 1222. The first event we have is Oct. 9, when Venus snuggles up to the thin crescent right among the bright stars of Scorpius. On the evening of Oct. 13, Saturn is four degrees north of the moon, then one day later, Jupiter is also four degrees north. Neptune is in the vicinity Oct. 16. The moon is full Oct. 20, and the following day, Uranus is close by. Oct. 25, M35 is 1.7 degrees south.
Mercury poses a real challenge, as the ecliptic is almost parallel to the horizon – the sun goes down and so does Mercury!
Venus is a little better than Mercury, but still close to the horizon at sunset. Oct. 9, the moon will be three degrees north, and Oct. 24 Antares will be 1.5 degrees south.
Mars is in conjunction with the sun and can’t be seen.
Jupiter rises in late afternoon and sets near midnight. The giant planet joins up with the moon Oct. 15.
Saturn rises in early afternoon and sets in late evening, likewise joined by the moon Oct. 13.
Uranus is joined by the moon on Oct. 21 and 22, gliding by among the stars of Aries.
Neptune rises in late afternoon and sets around 4 a.m. The distant gas planet is visited by the moon Oct. 16 in the constellation Aquarius.
The Zodiacal Light is visible in northern latitudes in the east before morning twilight for first two weeks of October.
James Edgar has had an interest in the night sky all his life. He joined the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 2000, was national president for two terms, is now the editor of the Observer’s Handbook, and production manager of the bi-monthly RASC Journal. The IAU named asteroid 1995 XC5 “(22421) Jamesedgar” in his honour and he was recently awarded a fellowship of the RASC.
