See The Comet, ‘Shooting Stars’ And Venus: The Night Sky This Week

The Night Sky This Week: October 21-27, 2024

This week, stargazers can catch Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (also called C/2023 A3 and Comet A3) and the Orionid meteor shower on Monday, and enjoy the sight of Venus and the red supergiant star Antares in conjunction on Friday. There will also be some lovely views of the moon alongside Mars and the stars of Gemini on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Here’s everything you need to know about stargazing and astronomy this week:

Monday, October 21: The Comet And The Orionid Meteor Shower

The Orionid meteor shower peaks in the very early hours of Monday, October 21, 2024, and ought to produce around 10 or 20 “shooting stars” per hour, though perhaps as many as 40. They’re caused by debris left in the solar system by Halley’s Comet. Get outside an hour before midnight and allow your eyes to dark-adapt for at least half an hour. Dark skies will really help with the Orionids, which can be quite faint, though they tend to leave long “trains” behind them.

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Tuesday, October 22: Moon, Mars And The Stars Of Gemini

Look north-northeast just before midnight, and you'll see, rising above the horizon, a 61%-lit waning gibbous moon next to bright stars Pollux and Castor in Gemini. Directly below the moon will be Mars, while above right will be Jupiter. Just to the right will be bright Betelgeuse and Orion's Belt.

Wednesday, October 23: Moon, Mars And The Stars Of Gemini

Take another look north-northeast just before midnight, and you'll see a 51%-lit First Quarter Moon alongside Mars, just below the "twins" of Gemini.

Friday, October 25: Venus And Antares In Conjunction

Look to the southwest about an hour after sunset to see Venus shining brightly very close to Antares, the brightest star in the constellation of Scorpius. A red supergiant star 12 times the mass of the sun, Antares is one of the biggest stars we know of. Distinctly orangey-red to the observer (especially through binoculars) and known as the “rival of Mars” because of its ruddy color and because Mars passes it closely every 26 months. If you put it in the solar system, it would reach almost as far as to where Jupiter orbits.

The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like SkySafari Pro, Stellarium and The Sky Live. Check planet-rise/planet-set, sunrise/sunset, and moonrise/moonset times to see where you are.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.