October Sky: A Month of Celestial Wonders

Month of Celestial Wonders:

October is a great month for sky watchers and astronomy enthusiasts, as it offers a variety of spectacular events to observe in the night sky. From a rare “ring of fire” solar eclipse to dazzling meteor showers, here are some of the highlights of the October sky that you don’t want to miss.

Ring of Fire Solar Eclipse

• A ring of fire solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun, but is too far away from the Earth to cover it completely, leaving a thin ring of sunlight around the dark disk of the moon.
• This type of eclipse is also known as an annular solar eclipse, from the Latin word “annulus” meaning ring.
• The ring of fire solar eclipse will happen on October 14, and will be visible from parts of North and South America, as well as some regions in Africa and Europe.
• The best places to see the full annular eclipse are Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Panama and Colombia. In these locations, the ring of fire will last for a few minutes around midday local time.
• Other places will see a partial solar eclipse, where the moon covers only a part of the sun. This includes parts of California, Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, Brazil and some European countries.
• To watch the solar eclipse safely, you need to use certified eclipse glasses or solar viewers that block out harmful ultraviolet and infrared rays. Never look at the sun directly or through a telescope or binoculars without proper protection.
• You can also watch the live streams of the eclipse from NASA and other sources online.

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 READ ALSO | Solar and Lunar Eclipses in October 2023: When and Where to See Surya and Chandra Grahan

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Draconid Meteor Shower

• The Draconid meteor shower is an annual event that occurs when the Earth passes through the debris left behind by comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner.
• The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Draco, the dragon, hence the name Draconids.
• The Draconid meteor shower peaks on October 8 and 9, and is best seen in the evening hours before midnight.
• The Draconids are not very active, producing only about 10 meteors per hour on average. However, they can sometimes surprise with an outburst of hundreds or even thousands of meteors in a short time. This happened in 1933, 1946, 1985 and 2011.
• The Draconids are also known for producing slow-moving and bright meteors that can have a yellow or orange hue. Some of them may leave persistent trails in the sky.
• To watch the Draconid meteor shower, you don’t need any special equipment. Just find a dark spot away from city lights, lie down on a blanket or a chair, and look up at the sky. Be patient and enjoy the show.

Orionid Meteor Shower

• The Orionid meteor shower is another annual event that occurs when the Earth passes through the debris left behind by comet Halley.
• The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Orion, the hunter, hence the name Orionids.
• The Orionid meteor shower peaks on October 20 and 21, and is best seen in the early morning hours before dawn.
• The Orionids are more active than the Draconids, producing about 20 meteors per hour on average. They are also faster and brighter, traveling at speeds of up to 66 kilometers per second and leaving behind glowing trails.
• The Orionids can also produce fireballs, which are very bright meteors that can light up the whole sky. Some of them may even explode in mid-air with a loud boom.
• To watch the Orionid meteor shower, you need to follow the same tips as for the Draconid meteor shower. Find a dark spot away from city lights, lie down on a blanket or a chair, and look up at the sky. Be patient and enjoy the show.

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 READ ALSO | Solar and Lunar Eclipses in October 2023: What, When, and Where to Watch

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Venus-Jupiter Conjunction

• A conjunction is an event where two or more celestial objects appear close together in the sky from our perspective on Earth.
• On October 29, Venus and Jupiter will have a close conjunction in the morning sky before sunrise. They will be separated by only 0.2 degrees, which is less than half the width of your finger held at arm’s length.
• Venus is the brightest planet in the sky, shining with a white-yellow light. Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system, glowing with a pale orange light. Together, they will form a stunning pair that will catch your eye easily.
• To see the Venus-Jupiter conjunction, you need to wake up early and look towards the eastern horizon about an hour before sunrise. You should be able to see them with your naked eye or with binoculars. You may also spot Mercury below them and Mars above them, forming a line of four planets in the sky.

Halloween Full Moon

• A full moon is an event where the moon appears fully illuminated by the sun from our perspective on Earth. It occurs when the moon is opposite the sun in the sky, or when the Earth is between the sun and the moon.
• On October 31, Halloween night, there will be a full moon in the sky. This is a rare occurrence, as the last time it happened was in 2001, and the next time it will happen will be in 2039.
• The Halloween full moon will also be a blue moon, which is the second full moon in a calendar month. The first full moon of October was on October 1. The term blue moon has nothing to do with the color of the moon, but rather with its frequency. It happens about once every 2.7 years on average.
• To see the Halloween full moon, you just need to look up at the sky after sunset. The moon will rise in the east and set in the west, following the same path as the sun. It will appear larger and brighter than usual, especially when it is near the horizon. It may also have a yellow or orange tint due to the atmosphere scattering the sunlight.