| The Magazine of the CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES |
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Skyguide Opposing Mars October An annular solar eclipse occurs today. Observers located along a narrow path from the Iberian Peninsula through northeastern Africa will see the Moon block 95 percent of the Sun's diameter. The solar disk glows in a ring around it. Most of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East will see a partial eclipse. October 8: Peak of the Draconid meteor shower before dawn. Radiating from the stars of Draco, this shower is not known for spectacular displays. Last July, however, its parent comet replenished the dust fueling this shower. Meteor watchers, be on the lookout for possible outbursts the morning of October 8. October 13: Full Moon at 5:13 am PDT, also known as the Hunter's Moon. Today's partial lunar eclipse should be visible from the entire nighttime side of Earth. But this time, the Moon's south pole barely grazes the darkest portion of our shadow, resulting in a less-than-obvious event. At maximum (5:03 am PDT), the Moon's southern edge appears slightly shaved off. October 21: Peak of the Orionid meteor shower, caused by Earth's passage through the dust trail of Halley's Comet. Usually known for modest displays of 10-15 meteors per hour, the shower is spoiled this year by the light of the waning gibbous Moon. October 30:Change from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time through most of the United States. Turn clocks back one hour at 2:00 am (or, more conveniently, at bedtime the night before) and gain an extra hour of sleep. November November 15: Full Moon at 4:56 pm PST, also known traditionally as the "Sassafras Moon" by the Choctaw, the "Freezing Moon" by the Cheyenne, and the "Beginning of Cold Weather Moon" by the Ponca. November 17: Peak of the Leonid meteor shower, impressive in recent years but now back to its normal performance of about 15 meteors per hour. The light of the waning gibbous Moon will wash many meteors from view. The Planets
Venus: Venus is a commanding beacon in the evening sky for the rest of the year, setting after the Sun and shining impressively as it passes from Libra through the stars of Scorpius, Ophiuchus, and Sagittarius. It passes Antares, heart of Scorpius, on October 16, but not before the crescent Moon passes nearby on October 6. The Moon swings close again on the evening of November 5. Mars: With opposition on November 7, Mars rises around sunset not far from the red star Aldebaran in Taurus. Located against Aries all season, it makes its closest approach to Earth until 2018 on October 29. Look for it near the Moon on October 18 and even closer on November 14. Jupiter: In conjunction with the Sun on October 20, Jupiter is technically an evening object in the first weeks of October, though too close to the Sun to be seen until early November. Slowly climbing out of the twilight before dawn, it should be easily visible by mid-month. The Moon's passage nearby on the evening of October 4 and on morning of November 1 may occur too close to the Sun to be seen, but watch for more visible encounters on the mornings of November 28 and 29. Saturn: This season, the Ringed Planet is a morning object against the stars of Cancer, already located high in the east before dawn and gradually crossing to the western sky by November. Look for it near the Moon on the mornings of October 25, November 21 and 22.
Bing F. Quock can be reached at bquock@calcademy.org. |