October's Sky Brings Saturn's Best View and Halley's Comet Debris

The sun is starting to set earlier and earlier every night, giving stargazers more time to get outside and check out what is happening in the night sky. The October astronomical calendar features prime viewing of Saturn as it reaches opposition, the Orionid meteor shower, and a full moon rounding out the month. Here are all the details for your October stargazing calendar.

Saturn Reaches Opposition: October 4

Early October marks the best time of year to check out planet Saturn. This is the time when the iconic ringed planet reaches opposition, meaning that it is orbiting directly opposite the sun from the Earth's perspective. You will find Saturn rising in the eastern sky near nightfall. The planet will remain visible to the naked eye all throughout the night of October 4 until it sets in the western sky as the sun begins to rise.

Although you will be able to easily spot Saturn without a telescope, you will need this type of equipment to see its rings. October 4 is the point of precise opposition; however, the large planet will be visible throughout the month. Choose the night with the clearest skies for your Saturn hunting adventure.

Orionid Meteor Shower: October 21 and 22

One of the best meteor showers of the year will unfold on the night of October 21 and into the early morning hours of October 22. The Orionid meteor shower boasts up to 20 shooting stars per hour when conditions are clear. The Orionids get their name from their point of origin in the same part of the sky where the constellation Orion shines. However, do not let the name fool you - the meteors can streak across every corner of the sky.

This annual fall show is connected to the debris left by the famous Halley's Comet. Every year at about this time, Earth passes through this debris field and creates the tiny particles that fly through the atmosphere.

You will want to check your local forecast in the days leading up to the big night to determine what kind of a show you should expect this year.

Hunter's Moon - October 25 and 26

The night will end on a sparkling note when the October full moon rises in the night sky on October 25. Known most commonly as the Hunter's Moon, this event gets its name from the time of year when hunters could catch their prey more easily when fields were cleared during the fall harvest. Other names associated with the October full moon include the Freezing Moon, the Migrating Moon, and the Falling Leaves Moon.

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