The equinox that just occurred a few days ago not only marked the beginning of autumn in the northern hemisphere, but also the return of clear skies which once again highlight the spectacular full moon.
How many times have we heard of the magnificence of the October moons? Various studies indicate that observing a larger and more spectacular moon at the start of the month than in other months is due to a psychological phenomenon.
After several months without being able to see not only the Moon but also the other stars, begins a period when the skies clear and we begin to look at the night sky again, causing our brains to find these views fascinating.
The best part of this month is that it begins by a spectacular annular eclipse, as well as other phenomena such as the extravagant and numerous Orionid star showers, the hunter’s moon and, to top it off, the incredible sight of comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS which captivates those who have been able to observe it.
Hunter’s Moon
As most names given to full moons come from northern hemisphere cultures, the October full moon is no exception, and the one that occurs after the September equinox, the one which marks the start of the hunting season is known as the “hunter’s moon”.
This makes sense if we consider that the previous moon was the harvest moon, the one that lit the fields for the last harvests before a season during which it was necessary to put away the crops and hunt while waiting for the cold of winter.
Even if, in the current context, talking about hunting no longer makes much sense, these old names for full moons are still used today and more and more people in the amateur astronomer community are starting to use these names.
In addition to the full moon on October 17, which will occur at 1:26 p.m. (Paris time), the other lunar phases visible in France will take place on the following dates:
- New moon: October 2, at 8:49 p.m.
- First district: October 10, at 8:55 p.m.
- Last quarter: October 24, at 10:03 a.m.
Each phase offers different opportunities for observing the night sky, but this month, in particular, you will have to pay attention to the first quarter, because it coincides (within a few days) with the passage of comet Tsunchinshan at its closest point to Earth.
Come C2023 A3 (Tsunchinshan-ATLAS)
On Tameteo, we have already mentioned a lot about this celestial body, called by the majority of media “The Comet of the Century”, which, although captivating by its brilliance, must still survive its passage through its perihelion before reappearing on the other side of the Sun.
Discovered at the beginning of 2023 by the Zijinshan Astronomical Observatory in China and by the ATLAS system (asteroid impact warning system) in South Africa, it comes from the Oort Cloud, the Solar System’s reservoir for these impressive celestial bodies.
It will be visible in two windows:
- Between September 27 and October 2, when it will be visible in the east just before sunrise.
- Between October 12 and 30, where it will be visible to the west just after sunset.
This comet has a hyperbolic orbit, that is, it does not have a regular orbital period around the Sun. This means that it will probably only pass close to the Sun once. before being ejected from the solar system or taking a trajectory that will prevent it from returning in a predictable time frame.
Annular solar eclipse and star shower
Nearly a year after the North American annular eclipse which shook a large part of the northern hemisphere, another similar eclipse will take place on October 2, which will have an even longer duration in its centrality, that is to say in the territory that it will cover, namely the south of the American continent, in particular Chile and Argentina.
Unfortunately, most places it will pass are forecast to be cloudy and rainy, so it may not be fully visible. However, in other places like the Atacama Desert in Chile, where it will be partially visible, good weather is expected.
On the other hand, one of the most active meteor (or star) showers will take place this October. From October 2 to November 7, it will be possible to observe the Orionids, coming from the debris of the famous comet Halley. This shower usually generates between 20 and 40 meteors per hour.
As we can see, this month of October, when the sky begins to clear, offers a wide variety of celestial phenomena that we can admire. As always, it is recommended to look for dark skies and use binoculars or a telescope to better appreciate the beauty that the cosmos offers us, and the best part is that it’s free!
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