Whitby & District Astronomical Society

Saturn gradually edges toward the west horizon throughout October, but remains readily observable all month.  The rings are favourably orientated, but you will have to wait for those steadier ‘seeing’ moments to fully appreciate this wonderful spectacle.  View on the 24^th around 18:30h when a Crescent Moon lies above Saturn.

At Magnitude +5.65 Uranus should be easily visible in a pair of binoculars, however to discern its very small grey/green disk a telescope will be required.  The planet lies over in the east toward the bottom of the ‘V’ in Pisces, not far above Torcularis Septentrionalis, however the best way to locate it will be by using Sheratan and Mesarthim in Aries (the crooked leg of the ram) and sighting down five times the distance between them, and then up one.  Hopefully you should spot ‘Herschel’s planet’ The moon lies 4 degrees below on the 6^th

Neptune is located to the south east in the constellation of Aquarius, but you will require a telescope to identify it.  It resides below the asterism known as the ‘water jar’ not far beneath Lamda Aquarii.  Through a telescope Neptune resembles a tiny blue/grey disk.  The Moon lies lower left on the 3^rd.

Morning

Venus and Mars reside in the eastern dawn sky.  View around 06:00h at the start of October, when Venus is unmistakeable, a brilliant object seven degrees or so above the horizon.  Mars resides just below and left.  During the first week of the month Venus tracks downwards, whilst Mars gains a little in altitude, the two passing closest on the 6^th.  This will be a splendid sight in a telescope.  Thereafter the two go their separate ways, Mars up, Venus down.  But view again on the 17^th and 18^th when a Crescent Moon passes by both planets.