Each Monday, I pick out North America’s celestial highlights for the week ahead (which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the northern hemisphere). Check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more.
The Night Sky This Week: October 14-20, 2024
This week, it’s all about the full “Hunter’s Supermoon.” However, there are a few other notable celestial sights to see — not least the possibility of a view of Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, an occultation (eclipse) of Saturn and a view of the moon close to the beautiful Pleiades star cluster.
Here’s everything you need to know about stargazing and astronomy this week:
Monday, Oct. 14-Wednesday, Oct. 16: Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS After Sunset
These early evenings are ideal for seeing Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) and its tail after sunset sunrise. The view will be best for those north of the equator. It’s just visible to the naked-eye visibility, but binoculars will give you a terrific view.
Monday, Oct. 14: Moon And Saturn
Look to the southeast tonight after dark to see a 91%-it waxing gibbous moon rising while less than a degree from Saturn. You’ll need a small telescope to make out Saturn’s ring pattern. This almost-full moon will occult Saturn from some parts of Asia and Africa.
Thursday, Oct. 17: Full ‘Hunter’s Supermoon’
The tenth of the 12 full moons in 2024, the full “Hunter’s Moon” will be the biggest and brightest “supermoon” of the year. From North America, the best time to see it will be at moonrise where you are during dusk.
Friday, Oct. 18: ‘Hunter’s Moon’
Although it will be a 97%-lit waning gibbous moon by tonight, this will be the perfect night to watch the full-ish “Hunter’s Moon” appear on the horizon in twilight.
Saturday, Oct. 19: Moon And Pleiades
Look east tonight, and you’ll see a bright waning gibbous moon adjacent to the Pleiades (pronounced “plee-er-deez”)—also known as the “Seven Sisters” for its shining stars—the closest open cluster of stars to the solar system and a spectacular sight with both the naked eye and through binoculars.
Look right at it, and you will see about six stars forming the shape of a “mini Big Dipper.” Look slightly to its side, and you’ll see a glowing misty patch, the collective brightness of about 800 young blue stars. The stars of the Pleiades are about 444 light-years distant.
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.
Pick up my books Stargazing in 2024, A Stargazing Program For Beginners, and When Is The Next Eclipse?
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
