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.