October 5 – 18, 2015
As we look ahead with wonder to ever-changing, awe-inspiring cosmic events to be observed everyday, let’s take a moment to share the euphoria experienced during the phenomenal total eclipse of the moon on September 27. I’ve been grateful to hear from astronomy enthusiasts who describe their joy at the progress of the eclipse, the meteors seen and the appearance then disappearance of the Milky Way. Please consider noting your impressions in the “Comment” section, below, to enrich everyone’s awareness.
Familiar with the Summer Triangle? Draw an imaginary line from Altair through Vega to find the Dragon’s eyes: the stars Eltanin and Rastaban.
An unusual meteor shower, the Draconids, may peak at nightfall on Thursday the 8th or until dawn on the 9th. It is unusual that a meteor shower peak in the early evening rather than before dawn. Look skyward beginning at about 8 p.m. Although a modest show is predicted, the Draconids have surprised observers with amazing numbers of shooting stars. The shower is named after the constellation Draco the Dragon, which is the radiant or apparent origin of the meteors, although the streaks of light appear anywhere in the sky.
To find Draco you might begin by locating the Summer Triangle. Enjoy this routine every evening as twilight deepens, by 7:15 or earlier during the coming 2 weeks. Challenge your eyesight and engage children in challenging theirs (likely to be quicker) to detect the three bright stars of the Summer Triangle as they appear overhead. Then, follow the directions in the EarthSky diagram to locate the Dragon’s eyes.
At the same time, with a clear view to the southwestern horizon, golden Saturn and red Antares, the heart star of Scorpius the Scorpion, can be found and seen briefly. Saturn sets at 8:46 p.m. on October 5. On the 16th the planet is positioned below a delicate, waxing crescent moon. Saturn sets at 8:06 p.m. and moonset is at 8:36 p.m. on the 16th. The planet, Antares and the Scorpion will soon disappear from our skies. Brilliant Arcturus, the star that announces springtime when it rises in the east as the sun sets in the west, now follows sundown, to the right of Saturn, in the west-northwest. It is up 45 minutes longer than the planet but it, too, will disappear as autumn advances.
For early risers, the great planetary show continues. See most of it from 5 a.m. – 6:15 a.m. Follow the superb EarthSky diagram!
