Skywatchers across most of North America have an opportunity to see the Moon pass directly in front of Jupiter in the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday, Oct. 6, according to NASA. The lunar occultation begins around 4 a.m. EDT and is expected to last for approximately one hour.
Following the lunar event, two separate meteor showers will reach their peaks across October skies. The Draconid meteor shower will peak first, starting on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 8, and continuing into the early morning of Friday, Oct. 9. Viewing begins around 9 p.m. EDT, with skywatchers likely to see a few meteors per hour. Sky conditions will be aided by a nearly new Moon phase, providing darker skies for observation.
Later in the month, the Orionid meteor shower will peak on Oct. 21. NASA reported that the shower originates from debris shed by Halley's Comet. Viewers in suburban areas with ambient light can expect to see roughly 3 to 6 meteors per hour. Greater numbers of meteors may be visible from darker locations after the waxing gibbous Moon sets around 3 a.m. local time.
October's scheduled astronomical highlights conclude on Monday, Oct. 26, when the full Moon appears. The full Moon is traditionally referred to in some traditions as the Hunter's Moon.
