When to Watch the Orionids and Other Celestial Events in October

Skywatchers have much to look forward to in October, with both the peak of the Draconids and Orionids and a “ring of fire” eclipse crossing the Southern Hemisphere this month.

In addition to major celestial events, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars will appear close to the moon (and visible to the naked eye) on Oct. 14, 21, and 23, respectively. All that, and Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS could be visible once again as it passes close to Earth on Oct. 12.

Here’s what else is happening in the night sky this month.

A ‘Ring of Fire’ eclipse (October 2)

This month’s annular solar eclipse will be visible in the very Southern Hemisphere on Oct. 2, specifically in Argentina and Chile. The “ring of fire” eclipse is so named due to the diameter of the moon not fully covering the sun—instead, it leaves a narrow ring of light shining from behind. Viewers across South America and the Pacific Islands (from Hawaii to New Zealand) will get a partial view, and everyone else can catch the livestream starting at 11:42 a.m. ET.

Draconid meteor shower peak (October 7–8)

The first of this month’s meteor showers will peak on the evening of Oct. 7 into the early morning of Oct. 8, with the potential for best viewing starting around 9 p.m. local time when the moon sets. The Draconid shower originates from the small Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner and may produce 10 meteors per hour in dark sky conditions.

Full hunter’s moon (October 17)

October’s full moon will peak on the 17th at 7:26 a.m. ET with visibility beginning on the evening of Oct. 16. Supermoons appear bigger and brighter thanks to their proximity to Earth. This month’s moon is known as the hunter’s moon as well a variety of Indigenous names indicating characteristics of the season.

Orionid meteor shower peak (October 20–21)

The Orionid meteor shower is visible every October in the Northern Hemisphere with the inbound passage of Halley’s Comet (the outbound leg creates the Eta Aquariids in May). The shower typically produces 10–20 meteors per hour with the potential for bright fireballs and extended trains.

This year’s Orionid shower is active from Sept. 26 to Nov. 22 with a peak predicted the evening of Oct. 20. Unfortunately, the moon will be bright, so visibility may be low unless you’re under a dark sky.