Astronomical Events in October: When to Observe Saturn, the Orionids, and the Seven Sisters
October will treat astronomy enthusiasts to several exciting events. Among this month’s main events are Saturn’s opposition to the Sun, the peak of the Orionid meteor shower, and the Moon’s approach to the Pleiades star cluster, known as the “Seven Sisters.”
On October 4, Saturn reached opposition with the Sun. During this astronomical event, Earth is positioned between the Sun and Saturn. As a result, from our planet’s perspective, Saturn appears on the opposite side of the sky from the Sun.
During opposition, Saturn rises around sunset and remains visible for most of the night. This is one of the best times to see the planet in the night sky.
Saturn also attracts the attention of scientists due to its unusual atmospheric phenomena. A giant hexagonal jet stream has long been known to exist around its north pole, stretching nearly 20,000 miles.
In September, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope detected a decagonal atmospheric wave around Saturn’s south pole. According to astronomers’ observations, this structure is growing stronger, giving scientists the opportunity to study its development.
On the night of October 21–22, the Orionid meteor shower will reach its peak. Its meteors are formed from tiny particles of debris left behind by Halley’s Comet.
The shower’s name is associated with the constellation Orion, since the meteors appear to radiate from a region of the sky near it. In reality, however, Orionid meteors can streak across virtually any part of the night sky.
This year, observing the meteors will be somewhat difficult due to the bright Moon, which will make it hard to see the faintest meteors. The best time for viewing may be the last few hours before dawn, after the Moon has set.
For the best viewing, NASA recommends choosing the darkest location possible, letting your eyes adjust to the darkness, and observing as large an area of the sky as possible.
Another interesting astronomical event will take place on the night of October 27–28. At that time, the Moon will pass close to the Pleiades—one of the most famous star clusters in the night sky, also known as the “Seven Sisters.”
For centuries, the Pleiades have inspired legends and stories in various ancient cultures. One reason for their popularity is that the star cluster can be seen from almost any region of the world.
In the evening, to observe the Pleiades and the Moon, you’ll need to look toward the east. As these celestial objects rise above the horizon, they will climb higher and higher in the sky.
To the naked eye, the Pleiades appear as a faint, slightly blurred cluster of six or seven stars. No special equipment is needed to observe them, but binoculars or a telescope will allow you to see much more detail.
Thus, October will be a busy month for observing the night sky—from bright Saturn and the Orionid meteors to the picturesque conjunction of the Moon and the Pleiades.
This is reported by SciTechDaily.
As a reminder, the Moon influences a person’s well-being, emotions, and energy, which is why it’s worth keeping track of the lunar calendar. In October 2026, there will be both favorable days for various activities and days when it’s best to be cautious and careful.
While September called for organization and adaptation to the rhythm of fall, October 2026 will be a month of profound inner transformations, a reassessment of values, and adjustments to long-term plans. Cosmic energies encourage a slowdown in outward expansion in order to thoroughly assess the reliability of internal foundations, financial strategies, and personal agreements.
