October Night Sky Guide 2,026

The chilly dark October nights provide excellent opportunities for skywatching all across North America. There is no lack of interesting celestial events this month, from shooting stars to Saturn’s rings to a long-awaited supermoon.

Although the drama of summer eclipse season gradually faded into a quieter period in the skies, there is still lots of activity for those who wish to track the skies over the next several weeks. 

Draconid Meteor Shower

The Draconids reach their peak just after nightfall on October 8 and 9, leading up to the new moon on October 10. Fix your eyes on the head of the constellation Draco, the rearing dragon, and wait for the appearance of shooting stars. With darker skies and a waning crescent that gives off considerably less moonlight, it will be possible to see up to ten meteor showers per hour, especially if you’re watching in clear conditions. But the Draconids tend to be unpredictable, so keep an open mind and expect the unexpected.

New Moon

On October 10, the skies will be very dark in the northern hemisphere as the first major lunar event of the month unfolds. If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the Milky Way or capture dramatic photos of the night sky, this is the best night to do it, especially if you travel to a rural location with minimal light pollution. Fainter, more distant celestial objects like star clusters and nebulae will also be easier to see in the moonless sky.

Orionid Meteor Shower

The Orionids are caused by falling dust and debris from Halley’s Comet, causing up to twenty meteor showers every hour near the end of October. This year, the peak date is October 23, though this will vary depending on your location within North America. This year’s show won’t be as dramatic as it could be, thanks to a bright waxing gibbous moon that will flood the night sky with moonlight, but it’s still worth stepping outside and taking a look if you happen to be awake in the predawn hours. Unlike the evening Draconids, the Orionids are most active very early in the morning.

Hunter’s Moon

It reaches its peak on October 26, but a few days before and after you will be able to catch sight of the gleaming full moon. The Hunter’s Moon gets its name due to its historical associations with hunting under the bright, luminous moonlight; often, it shone over fields and forests where hunters and wild animals alike began to prepare for the colder months ahead. Though we may not live in an agricultural society any longer, the significance of the Hunter’s Moon cannot be overstated. It reminds us that the darker days are coming, and serves as a pretty apt farewell to the peak of spooky season.