Tue Oct 01 16:22:14 UTC 2024: ## Maine Sky Guide: October Brings Bright Planets, Meteor Showers, and a Potentially Brilliant Comet

**PORTLAND, ME** – As fall colors paint the landscape of New England, the celestial canvas is also undergoing its annual transformation. October offers stargazers in Maine a particularly captivating sky, with brighter planets, meteor showers, and a potentially dazzling comet.

**Mars and Venus Shine Brighter:** Mars, the red planet, is getting closer and brighter each night as it moves through Gemini and then Cancer. Venus, our sister planet, is ascending higher and brighter in the evening sky. It will be especially close to a slender crescent moon on the evening of October 5th.

**Saturn Still Captivates:** Saturn remains a prominent evening planet, its rings now tilted at a thin 5 degrees. The ringed planet is gradually getting smaller and dimmer as it moves further from Earth.

**Jupiter’s Rise:** Jupiter is becoming brighter and rising earlier each night. It will reach its opposition on December 7th, meaning it will be closest to Earth.

**Orionid Meteor Shower:** The annual Orionid meteor shower peaks on the night of October 21st, with the best viewing possible when the moon is below the horizon.

**Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS):** This newly discovered comet could become a dazzling sight in the evening sky from October 13th to 21st. Its brightness remains uncertain, as comets often change unpredictably.

**Other Celestial Highlights:**

* **October 2nd:** New Moon.
* **October 5th:** Moon passes near Venus.
* **October 10th:** First Quarter Moon.
* **October 14th:** Moon passes near Saturn.
* **October 17th:** Full Moon (Hunter’s Moon).
* **October 21st:** Orionid meteor shower peaks.
* **October 23rd:** Moon passes near Mars.
* **October 24th:** Last Quarter Moon.

**Bernie Reim,** co-director of the Astronomical Society of Northern New England, encourages everyone to step outside and enjoy the wonders of the October sky. With the nights getting longer and skies generally clearer, this month offers prime viewing opportunities.

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