SkyEye

The Calendar

The Solar System

The word planet is derived from the Greek word for 'wanderer'. Unlike the background stars, planets seem to move around the sky, keeping mostly to a narrow track called the ecliptic, the path of the Sun across the stars. Dwarf planets and small solar-system bodies, including comets, are not so constrained, often moving far above or below the ecliptic.

Sun Virgo → Libra

Mercury Virgo → Libra

At conjunction early in the month, this elusive planet is unviewable all October from northern latitudes. For planet watchers in the southern hemisphere, it appears in the west after sunset late in the month and climbs rapidly.

Venus Leo → Virgo

The morning star is still quite high in the east when viewed from the northern hemisphere but is much closer to the horizon for those observing it from southern latitudes. It continues to lose altitude throughout the month. On 5 October it makes a fine pairing in the sky with Mars.

Mars Leo → Virgo

Mars is a morning sky object and on 5 October, will appear very close to Venus. However, the two planets quickly separate as the red planet heads away from the vicinity of the Sun and the morning star moves toward our star.

2 Pallas Eridanus → Fornax

The second asteroid to be discovered is at opposition on 29 October. Optical aids will be necessary to see this faint eighth magnitude object not far from the somewhat brighter star τ³ Eri.

Jupiter Virgo

Jupiter is at conjunction on 26 October and is lost to view this month.

Saturn Ophiuchus

Look for the ringed planet in the west after dark. It is heading towards an end-of-year conjunction with the Sun and sets well before midnight. Observers in the southern hemisphere get the best views of this stunning object.

Uranus Pisces

At opposition on 19 October, this green-coloured ice giant is at its brightest. Look for it at any time of the night near fourth magnitude star ο Psc.

Neptune Aquarius

A small telescope is necessary to view the most distant planet in the solar system. At opposition early last month, Neptune is still up for most of the night near the fourth magnitude star λ Aqr. It is occulted by the Moon twice, on 3 October and again on 30 October.