| October is the tenth month in the Gregorian calendar and consists of 30 days. The name of October is derived from the Latin ‘octo’ meaning eight. October was the eight month when the year used to start on March 1. |
The new moon for October occurs on Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 which will make the weekend of October 25th-26th as the best weekend for dark sky viewing.
The Full moon in October is the Hunter’s Moon and occurs on October 14th, 2008.
Mercury emerges from the glare of the morning sun around October 13th, and is found in the constellation Virgo for the entire month.
 October 22, 2008 - The position of Mercury and Saturn at sunrise. Mercury reach its Greatest Western Elongation (Best Morning Views) |
On October 22nd, Mercury will reach its Greatest Western Elongation at 18°19’8” which will place Mercury in the optimum position for morning viewing. |
Venus is the Evening Star for the entire month of October. Venus begin the month in the constellation Libra, the Scales, and on October 17th, moves into the constellation Scorpius, the Scorpian.
October 15, 2008 - Positions of Venus and Mars at sunset at Mid-month.
Mars is seen in the evening all month and moving progressively closer to the Sun’s position each evening. By November 9th, Mars will completely disappear into the glare of the evening Sun.
Mars begins the month in the constellation Virgo, the Maiden, until October 15th, when it will cross into the constellation Libra, the Scales. Finally, on October 25th, Mars move into the constellation Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer.
Jupiter is found in the evening hours this month and sets around midnight at the beginning of the month and by the end of the month, will be setting around 10:00pm. Jupiter is located in the constellation Sagittarius, the Archer, until January 2009.
October 15, 2008 - Positions of Jupiter, Pluto and Venus at sunset at Mid-month.
Saturn is observable in the morning hours this month and rises around 5:00am at the beginning of the month and by the end of the month, will be rising around 3:00am. Jupiter is located in the constellation Sagittarius, the Archer, until January 2009.
Uranus can be observed all night this month and sets around 5:30am at the beginning of the month and by the end of the month, will be setting around 3:30am. Uranus is located in the constellation Aquarius, the Water Bearer, until March 2009.
October 15, 2008 - Positions of Uranus and Neptune at sunset at Mid-month.
Neptune can be found evening to very early morning this month and sets around 5:30am at the beginning of the month and by the end of the month, will be setting around 3:30am. Neptune is located in the constellation Capricornus, the Sea Goat, until the year 2010.
The former planet Pluto can be found evening all month and sets around 11:15pm at the beginning of the month and by the end of the month, will be setting around 9:15pm. Neptune is located in the constellation Sagittarius, the Archer, until the year 2010.
October 15, 2008 - Positions of Jupiter, Pluto and Venus at sunset at Mid-month.
10/7/2008 First Quarter Moon
10/14/2008 Full Hunters Moon
10/21/2008 Last Quarter Moon
10/22/2008 Mercury’s Greatest Western Elongation (18° 19′ 8″) - Best Morning View
10/28/2008 New Moon
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