NASA is back with their monthly update for fans of the night sky.
October promises to be an exciting month with lots of interesting things. And you don't even need a telescope or binoculars to get involved.
Highlights for October are the appearance of a harvest moon and a blue moon. Mars will be bright in the night sky too, and there are tips for viewing the distant Andromeda Galaxy too.
First the moon. This month features two full moons. The first, the Harvest Moon, will appear on October 1st.
"The harvest moon is the name for the full moon that comes closest to the September equinox – one of two days a year on which day and night are the same," explains NASA in a post on its website. “For most years, the harvest moon falls in September, but it changes to October every few years. The name goes back to both Indian and European traditions, which, unsurprisingly, refer to the harvest time. "
At the end of the month, on October 31, you will see the second full moon. When we have two full moons in a month, we usually call the second occurrence a blue moon. This particular blue moon is special as it is the only one this year – in other words, it is the only two full moon month in 2020.
This month is also a great time to see Mars. The unique orbits of Earth and Mars bring the two planets to their closest points every 26 months. This year we will come closest to Mars on October 6th with a distance of 62 million kilometers between us and the red planet. A week later, on October 13th, the "Mars Opposition" will take place when Mars and the Sun are on directly opposite sides of the earth. However, you don't have to wait for these dates to see Mars. If you stick your head out the window every night this month you should be able to spot him. Its signature salmon pink color and brightness help it stand out. As you look at it, remember that NASA's Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter are heading for him at this moment.
NASA also says this month is a great time to look at Andromeda, a galaxy 2.5 million light years from Earth that contains hundreds of billions of stars and possibly billions of planets. While a telescope offers the best view of Andromeda, of course, it is also possible to see it with the naked eye if the conditions are right. Check out the video above to find out exactly where to look.
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