Public Sky Observing of the planets Saturn Neptune Uranus bright stars, double stars, and more by telescope with guidance members of the Rochester Astronomy Club.

What to expect at Public Sky Observing – click here.

Reload this page before you leave for the event. Event can be cancelled in case of cloudy weather or another reason.

Resources: In the Sky October/2026, Phases of the Moon 2026, Planets rise and set 10/03, Sun and Moon 10/03, Sun today, Holidays 2026
Moon Features You Can See From Earth,
Messier list, Caldwell list, Double stars list, Carbon stars list

☿ – Mercury, ♀ – Venus, ♂ – Mars, ♃ – Jupiter, ♄ – Saturn, ⛢ – Uranus, ♆ – Neptune

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Member’s Dark Sky Night

One night only — no backup night.

October gives us about a 40% chance of clear skies, and with an average overnight low in the upper 30s to 40s, you’ll want to dress warmly. But keep this in mind: this may be the warmest Dark Sky Night we’ll have for the next six months.

Sunset: 6:34 PM
Nautical twilight ends: ~7:36 PM
Full astronomical darkness begins: 8:09 PM

That gives us nearly four hours of truly dark sky before midnight — and plenty more for those who stay late!

What Does the October New Moon Bring Us?

Saturn Near Opposition — October 4
Just five days past opposition, Saturn will be bright and exceptionally well placed for observing. The ringed planet will remain visible throughout the evening and well into the night.

Draconid Meteor Shower — October 8–9
We’re observing right around the Draconid peak. Unlike most meteor showers, the Draconids favor the early evening hours.

Orionid Meteor Shower — October 2–November 7
The Orionids are already active. Their peak is still nearly two weeks away, but an early Orionid may occasionally streak across our dark October sky.

Mercury Approaching Greatest Eastern Elongation
Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation on October 12. On October 9, look for it very low in the western sky shortly after sunset.

Uranus & the Pleiades
Uranus is positioned in Taurus and climbs higher as the evening progresses. This is also prime season for the spectacular Pleiades (M45), making this region of Taurus worth exploring with binoculars and telescopes.

The Autumn Sky Takes Center Stage

Cassiopeia & Cepheus climb high across the northern sky. Cassiopeia’s unmistakable “W” makes an excellent starting point for navigating the rich star fields of the northern Milky Way.

Andromeda & Pegasus dominate the autumn sky. The Great Square of Pegasus is prominent while Andromeda climbs nearly overhead — bringing the magnificent Andromeda Galaxy (M31) into prime observing position.

Perseus & Auriga rise higher through the evening in the east and northeast, bringing some of the richest open clusters in the northern sky.

Deep-Sky Highlights

With virtually no moonlight, October 9 should provide excellent conditions for hunting both bright showpieces and much more challenging deep-sky objects.

Look for the Triangulum Galaxy (M33), along with NGC 457, M15, M2, NGC 7331 and Stephan’s Quintet, the edge-on NGC 891, elusive M74, the Helix Nebula, Blue Snowball Nebula, and Caroline’s Rose (NGC 7789).

And don’t put away the summer observing list just yet. Early in the evening, the summer Milky Way remains available, offering the Veil Nebula, North America Nebula, and Crescent Nebula before they sink toward the western sky.

For a Challenge:

Let’s target the Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253). Although it’s skimming the southern horizon, October puts it near its best position of the year.

Bring your scope, bring your binoculars. Wear warm clothes and come prepared for one of our last relatively mild, moonless nights under a truly dark sky before winter.

Please come to the Rochester Astronomy Club monthly meetings! These meetings are free and open to the public. Each month we will try to bring you a different presentation and share observing notes and tips.

Agenda will be published on the Sunday before the meeting.

We are offering these meetings in a hybrid fashion, you can attend either in person or via ZOOM. To attend the meeting virtually via ZOOM, you will need to register using the link below.

You only need to register once to gain access to all of these meetings for 2026

Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pXIUeCDoRgWWDNE3KB0c6g

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Location:
River Road Dog Park / Rochester Dog Park North / GPS 44.089, -92.476 

Public Sky Observing of the young Moon – 5.6 days after New Moon, planets Saturn Neptune Uranus bright stars, double stars, and more by telescope with guidance members of the Rochester Astronomy Club.

What to expect at Public Sky Observing – click here.

Reload this page before you leave for the event. Event can be cancelled in case of cloudy weather or another reason.

Moon on Friday October 16 evening

Credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio

Resources: In the Sky October/2026, Phases of the Moon 2026, Planets rise and set 10/16, Sun and Moon 10/16, Sun today, Holidays 2026
Moon Features You Can See From Earth,
Messier list, Caldwell list, Double stars list, Carbon stars list

☿ – Mercury, ♀ – Venus, ♂ – Mars, ♃ – Jupiter, ♄ – Saturn, ⛢ – Uranus, ♆ – Neptune

Facebook page

Public Sky Observing of the planets Saturn Neptune Uranus bright stars, double stars, and more by telescope with guidance members of the Rochester Astronomy Club.

What to expect at Public Sky Observing – click here.

Reload this page before you leave for the event. Event can be cancelled in case of cloudy weather or another reason.

Resources: In the Sky October/2026, Phases of the Moon 2026, Planets rise and set 10/31, Sun and Moon 10/31, Sun today, Holidays 2026
Moon Features You Can See From Earth,
Messier list, Caldwell list, Double stars list, Carbon stars list

☿ – Mercury, ♀ – Venus, ♂ – Mars, ♃ – Jupiter, ♄ – Saturn, ⛢ – Uranus, ♆ – Neptune

Facebook page

Please come to the Rochester Astronomy Club monthly meetings! These meetings are free and open to the public. Each month we will try to bring you a different presentation and share observing notes and tips.

Agenda will be published on the Sunday before the meeting.

We are offering these meetings in a hybrid fashion, you can attend either in person or via ZOOM. To attend the meeting virtually via ZOOM, you will need to register using the link below.

You only need to register once to gain access to all of these meetings for 2026

Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pXIUeCDoRgWWDNE3KB0c6g

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Public Sky Observing of the young Moon – 3.9 days after New Moon, planets Saturn Neptune Uranus bright stars, double stars, and more by telescope with guidance members of the Rochester Astronomy Club.

What to expect at Public Sky Observing – click here.

Reload this page before you leave for the event. Event can be cancelled in case of cloudy weather or another reason.

Moon on Friday November 13 evening


Credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio

Resources: In the Sky November/2026, Phases of the Moon 2026, Planets rise and set 11/13, Sun and Moon 11/13, Sun today, Holidays 2026
Moon Features You Can See From Earth,
Messier list, Caldwell list, Double stars list, Carbon stars list

☿ – Mercury, ♀ – Venus, ♂ – Mars, ♃ – Jupiter, ♄ – Saturn, ⛢ – Uranus, ♆ – Neptune

Facebook page

Public Sky Observing of the young Moon – 2.3 days after New Moon, planets Saturn Neptune Uranus bright stars, double stars, and more by telescope with guidance members of the Rochester Astronomy Club.

What to expect at Public Sky Observing – click here.

Reload this page before you leave for the event. Event can be cancelled in case of cloudy weather or another reason.

Moon on Friday December 11 evening

Credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio

Resources: In the Sky December/2026, Phases of the Moon 2026, Planets rise and set 12/11, Sun and Moon 12/11, Sun today, Holidays 2026
Moon Features You Can See From Earth,
Messier list, Caldwell list, Double stars list, Carbon stars list

☿ – Mercury, ♀ – Venus, ♂ – Mars, ♃ – Jupiter, ♄ – Saturn, ⛢ – Uranus, ♆ – Neptune

Facebook page

Presentation and sky observing