2017 Week 41: (October 8-14)

It is Thanksgiving week in Canada and there are a few sights in the sky.  The chart below highlights some of these events.

Date	Event
October 8	Draconid Meteor Shower peaks
October 8	Mercury at superior conjunction
October 9	Aldebaran 0.6°S of Moon
October 12	Last Quarter

The Draconid Meteor Shower peaks in the early morning of Sunday, October 8.  However, if it was anything like last night you will need some great luck.  I was outside for about 45 minutes and had the misfortune to see a grand total of 0 meteors.  The Orionids later in the month may be more prosperous to meteor shower observers.

Mercury will be sitting behind the Sun on October 8 and will cruise into our evening sky once again.  The following evening Taurus' red eye Aldebaran will be very close to the waning gibbous Moon as visible from the Eastern Hemisphere.  We are really striking out for good things in the sky this week!

On October 12 the Moon will be at its last quarter phase.  This will occur at 6:25am in the morning and we can actually witness the exact phase from Calgary.  Exciting?  No.

Last Quarter

However, not all is lost.  We can be thankful that the following week has better sights for us.  Next week we can look forward to a better meteor shower, a planetary opposition and a few great conjunctions!

Fish Creek Park and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada are hosting a star night this upcoming Saturday October 14!

More information can be found below:

http://calgary.rasc.ca/fishcreek2017b.htm

Also check out our facebook page below for up to date information about several other events happening in October!  There will be members at Fish Creek set up with their telescopes to see some great objects throughout the October sky.  Also, there are many exhibits and activities inside for the whole family.  Come join us for this free event!

www.facebook.com/simonjastronomy

Have a great and safe Thanksgiving weekend!