Title: October Skywatch Highlights
Location: Hawaiian Islands
Date / Time: October 2007
Comments: Behold our Autumn skies! The first week of the month you might be lucky enough to spot MERCURY, low in the west just after sunset. On Oct. 12th, you may spot the tiny planet adjacent to the thin crescent Moon, setting shortly after the Sun. As the sky darkens, look for the brightest "star" in the Southwest. This is actually the PLANET JUPITER. Jupiter appears northeast, or just above Antares, the red supergiant star which is the "heart" of Scorpius, the Scorpion. Using Jupiter to locate Antares, look for the "J" or "fishhook" shape of the GIANT scorpion (aka: Ka Makau Nui o Maui: the giant fishhook of Maui). Notice how Jupiter, reflecting the light of our yellow Sun, gleams a lustrous golden color, in contract to the ruddy glow of red Antares. On Oct. 15th, watch for a crescent Moon to pass between Jupiter & Antares. Jupiter will slowly be leaving our night sky. Best views of the gas giant occur at twilight. By October 31st, Jupiter sets before 9PM. In early October, bright orange MARS rises before midnight. On Oct. 3rd, the Red Planet rises with the last quarter Moon, & appears near the open cluster M35 at the curved foot of the constellation Gemini. Mars willl continue to rise earlier & become bigger & brighter daily, as Earth slowly catches up to the orbit of the Red Planet, which will reach opposition in December. Plan to awaken early on Oct.7th to view a spectacular conjunction in the eastern sky: At around 3:30 AM, Venus, Saturn & the Moon will be rising in the east, near the bright star Regulus in Leo; all appear as a cluster, within a 6 degree circle. You can view this stunning arrangement until approx, 5:45 AM (sun rises at 6:30), & take note of Mars overhead at this same time! The Moon leaves the scene the following morning, but the other three bright objects will stay together for at least a week afterward. This month look for SATURN, and a bright shining VENUS, in the east before dawn. For further details and an October sky map, visit Bishop Museum Planetarium www.bishopmuseum.org/planetarium(bishopmuseum.org).

Maintained by Roz Reiner - Kauai, Hawaii

 

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