October stargazing tips from NASA: Sightings of Jupiter and Saturn, meteor showers and more
More under this adNASA has just published their top suggestions for what the sightings should be looking out for when sky watching this October.
For all you sky watchers, there are some incredible views in store for you this October. As reported by Daily Mail, you would be treated to some rare views that include meteor shower and Mars changing course, along with being able to see Jupiter and Saturn in the night sky throughout this whole month.
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NASA published these monthly highlights in their website stating,
What's Up for October? Evenings with giants, Mars changes course, and meteors from Orion.More under this adMore under this ad
‘Evenings with giants,’ according to NASA
As per NASA, Jupiter and Saturn are visible at night throughout the month of October. You will find them to the southeast and they move slowly westward with the stars over the course of the night, forming a triangle with the star Fomalhaut.
More under this adMore under this adA tip from NASA to be able to spot the planets is that while stars twinkle, these planets shine with steady light.
Retrograde motion of Mars
While Mars moves towards the east relative to the background stars all year, at the end of October, it would look like it halts all motion and reverses course. Then from November to January, Mars would move west and then reverse its course again. This seeming reversal of course by Mars is called retrograde motion of Mars.
According to NASA, Mars will appear to do so because Earth is passing the slower moving Red Planet in its orbit. This phenomenon appears every two years and the visual illusion can be very confusing to observers.
More under this adMore under this adOrionid meteor shower
In more exciting news for star lovers, the Orionid meteor shower is active throughout the months of October and November with its peak being on the night of 20 October. At its peak, it produces about 10-20 meteors per hour, which are visible under clear, dark skies.
More under this adMore under this adSources used:
Daily Mail: ‘NASA urges stargazers to enjoy 'evenings with giants' in October as massive planets Jupiter and Saturn will be visible in the night sky throughout the month.’
NASA: ' What's Up: Skywatching Tips from NASA'
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