2019 Week 43: (October 20-October 26)

I took a 6 week break from blogging as life got incredibly busy!  However, I am back and ready to go!

What is going on in the sky this upcoming week?!

Date	Event
October 21	Last Quarter
October 21	Orionid Meteors Peak
October 21	Moon 0.7°S of Beehive Cluster (M44)
October 26	Zodiacal Light Visible in Northern Latitudes
October 26	Mars 5°S of Moon

We have the Moon reaching its last quarter phase on the same evening the Orionid meteor shower peaks.

The Orionid Meteor Shower comprises the dust and debris leftover from Halley's Comet.  If you missed Halley's Comet back in 1986 you get a chance to see its debris twice a year: The Eta Aquariid Shower and the Orionid Shower.

The Orionids peak around October 21 every year and the best time to see this shower is in the middle of the early Morning.  Orion will be rising in the southeast around midnight and you should start to see meteors soon thereafter.  The radiant point is just to the East of Orion's club as shown in the image below.

Orionid Radiant

The Orionids peak at around 10-20 meteors per hour and are best seen away from the light pollution of urban centres and the Moon.  While you are waiting, take in the sights of the Pleiades Star Cluster or the Great Orion Nebula.  This year the Moon will be wandering in nearby Cancer and will provide ample light pollution to lower the counts.

City	Suburbs	Rural	Optimal
5	10	15	23

As with other meteor showers I have provided a log chart for recording your observations.  Please find it below.

Orionid Meteor Shower

Instructions for filling it out can be found: Explore the Universe - Meteor Showers

As mentioned above, the Moon will be hanging out in the constellation of Cancer.  This brings it right next to the Beehive Cluster which forms the heart of the crab.  While you are out chasing down some Orionid meteors, throw your binoculars onto the Moon.  You should see a beautiful cluster of stars in the same field of view!

Later in the week, the Zodiacal Light may be visible to those who have very dark skies and a keen eye.  More information about sighting this phenomenon can be found below:

https://simonjastronomy.blogspot.com/2017/02/what-is-zodiacal-light.html

To finish off the week the slim waning crescent Moon can be found sitting right above the red planet, Mars.  This can be found in the early morning twilight between Spica and Porrima in the constellation Virgo.

What can you expect in the coming weeks?

• Mercury will transit across the face of the Sun on November 11 at sunrise!  
• Open cluster M36 will be in conjunction with a magnitude 12 comet C/2017 Panstarrs.
• Mare Orientale will be in view on the Moon from November 12-16 for those keen enough to explore the libration regions of our lunar neighbour.

Stay tuned to our page for updates on these great celestial events as the time gets closer!  Even though it is getting colder, don't forget to look up and explore the night sky with your eyes!