October 2024 is set to be an exciting month for skywatchers, with celestial events ranging from a stunning supermoon to a rare comet appearance and a showcase of bright planets visible throughout the night. This month, Venus glows low in the west at dusk, Saturn and Jupiter light up the southeast as night falls, and Mars makes a bold midnight appearance. Adding to this, the Hunter’s Moon will cast a glow.
Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of this month's astronomical wonders.
October 2024 Planet Lineup
Throughout October, several planets will grace the evening and night skies. Venus appears low in the west right after sunset, but sets before full darkness. Saturn is visible in the southeast as soon as the skies dim, staying up until dawn. Mars makes its entrance around midnight, climbing high in the sky by morning, and Jupiter rises early in the evening, appearing higher and farther west as the month goes on.
These planetary positions offer ideal viewing conditions for casual stargazers and seasoned astronomers alike.
October 16-17 Supermoon
The October full Moon, known as the Hunter’s Moon, will appear as a supermoon, casting a slightly brighter and larger glow than a regular full Moon. The supermoon effect occurs because the Moon will be at its closest point to Earth, known as “perigee”. This full Moon, traditionally associated with the hunting season after harvest, is a treat for those who love to watch the night sky.
Adding to the spectacle, Saturn will be visible near the nearly full Moon on October 13 and 14, setting the stage for a dazzling display.
Close Encounters: The Moon With Jupiter And Mars
This month also brings two striking close encounters with the Moon and the solar system’s giants. On October 20, NASA says, the Moon will rise near Jupiter, appearing extremely bright and easily visible in the east. Then, early risers in the US can catch Mars in the company of the Moon on October 23 and 24, high overhead in the southern sky.
Europa Glimpse
Jupiter’s moon Europa takes center stage in October as well. On October 11 and October 25, skywatchers can use binoculars to see Europa isolated on one side of Jupiter, providing an exciting prelude to NASA’s Europa Clipper mission, slated for an October 10 launch. This mission aims to explore Europa’s icy crust and the vast ocean suspected to lie beneath, investigating whether this ocean world could harbour conditions suitable for life.
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) – A Rare Visitor
A highlight of October’s celestial events is the anticipated visibility of Comet C/2023 A3, also known as Tsuchinshan-ATLAS. This comet, which has journeyed from the far reaches of the Oort Cloud on an 80,000-year orbit, will be closest to Earth on October 13, and will be best observed from October 14 to October 24, according to NASA. It should be visible low in the western sky after sunset, with binoculars or a small telescope offering the best chance of viewing.
For those who miss seeing the comet in the first few days, it will climb higher in the sky each evening, albeit growing slightly dimmer. If conditions allow, the comet’s tail might be visible with the naked eye.