The Nantucket Sky in October 2008
Information courtesy of Dr. Vladimir Strelnitski, Director of Astronomy at the Maria Mitchell Association.
(All times are given in Eastern Daylight Saving Time)
The Sun
(for the first and last days of the month)
Sunrise: 6:38 am; 7:11 am
Sunset: 6:22 pm; 5:36 pm
The Moon
First Quarter: October 07, 05:04 am
Full Moon: October 14, 04:02 pm
Last Quarter: October 21, 07:55 am
New Moon: October 28, 07:14 pm
Planets visible with an unaided eye
Venus: Venus is becoming a fully-fledged “Evening Star.” It is seen higher and higher above the western horizon after sunset. Observe it close to the waxing moon on the 1st and 2nd of the month.
Jupiter: Still a good object to observe in the evening. It shines bright above the famous “Teapot” asterism in Sagittarius.
Saturn: Seen low in the east at dawn at the beginning of the month, but later it will be too close to the Sun to be observed comfortably.
Mercury and Mars: too close to the Sun.
Meteor Showers
Orionid: October 18-24. The source of meteors in this shower are the dust trails left by the famous Halley comet during its approaches to the Sun long ago - in the years 1265, 1197 and 910 BC. Come and join the MMA astronomers at Loines Observatory for a special Open Night on Saturday, October 18, from 10 to 11:30 pm, when one of the peaks of the meteor rate is anticipated.
Zodiac Constellations in the evening
Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius (from west to east, in the southern and south-eastern part of the sky).
Observe the Sky with MMA
October 6 and 7 *NEW* Special Open Night 8-9:30pm View the Moon, planets, nebulae, galaxies & more. In case of poor weather, a slide presentation will be offered. Loines Observatory, 59 Milk St. Ext. Free for members, $10 adult, $6 child non-members.
October 18 Orionid Meteor Shower Observation 10-11:30pm Come witness the beauty of meteors streaking across the night sky during the peak of the Orionid Meteor Shower. Free for members, $10 adult, $6 child non-members.
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