October Stargazing: Top Celestial Highlights

October brings crisp, chilly nights, longer hours of darkness, and some of the most spectacular sights of the year. From meteor showers to dazzling planets, this is a month where the night sky really comes alive. Wrap up warm, grab a hot drink, and enjoy the wonders above!

The Draconid Meteor Shower

The first meteor shower of the month arrives with the Draconids, peaking around October 8–9. Unlike most showers, the Draconids are best viewed in the evening, just after nightfall. Though usually modest at about 10 meteors per hour, they’re famous for occasional outbursts, so it’s worth keeping an eye out!

The Orionid Meteor Shower

Later in the month, the Orionids peak around October 21–22. These meteors come from Halley’s Comet’s dust trail and can produce up to 20 meteors per hour under dark skies. Best viewed after midnight, they streak from the constellation Orion, rising in the east during the small hours.

The Hunter’s Moon

October’s full moon is known as the Hunter’s Moon, reaching its peak on October 17. Like the Harvest Moon, it rises soon after sunset for several nights in a row, casting a bright glow over autumn evenings. Look for its orange hue near the horizon, perfect for atmospheric photos.

Planets on Display

October is a fantastic month for planet watching:

• Saturn shines brightly in the south during the evening, rings clearly visible through a telescope.

• Jupiter reaches opposition on October 3, meaning it’s at its closest and brightest for the year, a true showstopper rising in the east as night falls.

• Venus continues to dominate the pre-dawn sky, dazzling as the “Morning Star.”

• Mars remains faint but can be spotted before sunrise, low in the east.

Autumn Constellations

The stars of autumn now fully take over the night sky:

• Pegasus with its Great Square dominates the east, a guidepost to spotting Andromeda.

• Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is a must-see target, the closest spiral galaxy to our own, visible to the naked eye in dark skies.

• Cassiopeia’s “W” climbs higher, a helpful pointer to Andromeda and the Double Cluster in Perseus.

• Orion begins to make its return late in the month, rising in the early morning and heralding the approach of winter skies.

Fading Summer Triangle

The Summer Triangle (Vega, Altair, Deneb) still lingers in the west after dusk, but by the end of October it sinks earlier, giving way to the rich star fields of autumn and winter.

October Stargazing Challenge: Spot Jupiter’s Moons!

With Jupiter at its brightest and closest this month, it’s the perfect time to hunt for its four largest moons - Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.

How to see them:

• Even a small pair of binoculars will reveal them as tiny pinpricks of light lined up beside Jupiter.

• A telescope brings them into sharper focus and allows you to watch their changing positions night by night.

Final Thoughts

October is one of the best months for stargazing: crisp nights, dazzling planets, and meteor showers lighting up the sky. Whether you’re catching a glimpse of Jupiter at its brightest, watching Orion rise in the east, or enjoying the Hunter’s Moon, there’s something for everyone to see.

Enjoy your October nights under the stars!