Astronomy enthusiasts and casual skywatchers alike will be enthralled with the array of celestial events that October has to offer. It is a month of cosmic beauty. The Northern Hemisphere's fall season brings with it a plethora of breathtaking astronomical phenomena, such as planetary alignments and meteor showers. These top celestial events in India have fascinating scientific and cultural significance in addition to providing amazing visuals. Here are the top five celestial wonders to watch for in October, whether you're an experienced astronomer or just like stargazing.
In the upcoming week, the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) will be prominently displayed in the night sky. It will peak at approximately midnight on October 1 and set four minutes early every night after that. M31 will be visible from New Delhi throughout the night. As dusk is fading, it will become visible at 19:01 IST, 25 degrees above the northeastern horizon. At 00:23, it will be at its highest point, 77 degrees above the northern horizon, and at 05:16, 30 degrees above the northwest horizon, it will vanish into dawn twilight. It is difficult to see with the unaided eye due to its magnitude of 3.4, but a pair of binoculars or a small telescope will give you a clear view, especially from a dark location. It is best observed from the northern hemisphere at a declination of 41°16'N.
October 5–6 is when the October Camelopardalid meteor shower will be active, with a peak around October 5. The shower's radiant point in the constellation Draco is circumpolar, making it visible from New Delhi for the entire night. The best shows are probably going to happen right before dawn, at around 10:00 IST, when the radiant point reaches its highest point and Earth's rotation best aligns New Delhi to face the approaching meteors. The best times to see meteors are before dawn on October 6 and after dusk on October 5, as the shower peaks around 23:00 IST on that day.
Venus and the Moon will ascend at the same angle, with the Moon moving 3°00' south of Venus. An appulse, or close approach, will happen when the Moon is three days old. As dusk fades, the pair will become visible from New Delhi at approximately 18:15 IST, or about 14 degrees above the southwestern horizon. After setting at 19:33, they will be visible for an hour and thirty-three minutes. In the constellation Libra, the Moon will shine at magnitude -9.9 and Venus at magnitude -4.0. Although they are too far apart to be seen with a telescope, they are both easily visible with the unaided eye or binoculars.
From September 10 to November 20, there will be a meteor shower known as the Southern Taurid, which will peak on October 10. When its radiant point in the constellation Cetus rises in the east, it will become visible from New Delhi after 18:50 IST and stay active until dawn at 05:52. Around 01:00 IST, when the radiant point is at its highest and there is a greater chance of meteors falling vertically with brief trails, the best displays are anticipated. The peak activity is expected on October 10, 2024, at 10:00 IST, although meteors will be visible all night long.
In the upcoming weeks, the Perseus Double Cluster (NGC 869 and NGC 884, mag 4.3) will be prominently displayed in the evening sky. It will peak on October 26 at midnight. It will be visible all night long from New Delhi, rising at 18:37 IST, 26 degrees above the northeast horizon as dusk is falling. At 61 degrees above the northern horizon, it will reach its zenith at 00:22 and stay visible until dawn twilight at 05:29. Due to its faint magnitude, the cluster is best viewed through binoculars or a small telescope and is most visible from the northern hemisphere.