Read our October sky notes to find out what’s in the night sky this month!
Map
Constellations
These constellations are well placed in the evening this month, but many more can be seen. Check the star map for more.
Orion, the Hunter, is a prominent winter constellation just starting to become visible in the evening sky. At the beginning of the month it rises in the east about 23:00 BST, but better views will be near the end of the month when it rises about 20:00 BST instead. Orion moves higher into the southern sky and is best seen in the early hours of the morning when it reaches its highest point. Look for the 3 bright stars forming Orion’s Belt.
Cygnus, the Swan appears directly overhead at the zenith at sunset. It can be seen all night as it sweeps around the sky to the west, eventually setting in the north around sunrise. Many of the stars are circumpolar, so Cygnus stays on the horizon until it starts to rise again. Look for the Northern Cross asterism.
Aquarius, the Water Carrier, is one of 13 zodiac constellations and can be seen appearing low in the south at sunset. This is it’s highest point and the best time to view it. As the night goes on it moves towards the west, eventually setting due west a couple of hours before sunrise.
Planets
Mercury is too close to the Sun to be seen this month. The following events will not be observable: Mercury reaches aphelion on the 10th and is at greatest eastern elongation on the 29th.
Venus is too close to the Sun to be seen this month. It appears extremely low on the eastern horizon at dawn but is unlikely to be seen without a clear horizon. Venus is at perihelion on the 2nd.
Mars is too close to the Sun to be seen this month. It sets in the west almost immediately after the Sun.
Jupiter can be seen in the morning sky, rising in the north east around 23:00 BST at the beginning of the month and around 20:00 GMT by the end of it. It rises higher through the night, so best views will be in the early morning when it reaches its highest point in the southern sky. Jupiter will be in conjunction with the Moon on the 13th.
Saturn appears in the south east at sunset, rising higher towards the south as the night goes on. It then sets in the west in the morning. Saturn appears lower at the beginning of the month, but is in the sky for longer, only setting an hour or so before the sunrise. By the end of the month, it will appear higher and be easier to see in the evening, but set by 01:00 GMT. Saturn will be in conjunction with the Moon on the 6th.
Uranus is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. It rises in the north east just after sunset, earlier as the month goes on. It moves higher into the southern sky before disappearing in the west at dawn, so best views will be at its highest point, around 03:00 BST at the beginning of the month and 00:00 GMT at the end of it.
Neptune is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. It follows closely behind Saturn in the sky, rising and setting at the same time.
Meteor Showers
The October Camelopardalids reach their peak on the night of the 6th. The radiant (apparent origin point) of the meteors will be in the constellation of Draco. As this is a circumpolar constellation, meteors will be visible all night. Best displays will be just before dawn, as Draco reaches its highest point after sunrise. The rate of meteors for this shower varies, but, being close to full, the Moon will provide significant interference for observation.
The Draconids reach their peak on the night of the 8th. The radiant (apparent origin point) of the meteors will be in the constellation of Draco. As this is a circumpolar constellation, meteors will be visible all night. Best displays will be just after sunset, as Draco reaches its highest point a little before this. The rate of meteors for this shower varies, but, being close to full, the Moon will provide significant interference for observation.
The Orionids reach their peak on the night of the 21st. The radiant (apparent origin point) of the meteors will be in the constellation of Orion. Meteors will be visible between 21:54 BST and sunrise, as this is when Orion is in the sky. Best displays will be around 05:00 BST, when Orion reaches its highest point. You will be able to see up to 12 meteors per hour.
Moon
First Quarter: 29th
Full Moon: 7th
Last Quarter: 13th
New Moon: 21st
The Moon reaches perigee, its closest point to the Earth, on the 8th and apogee, its furthest point on the 24th. This effect is not visually apparent.
The Moon will be at aphelion, its furthest point from the Sun, on the 4th and perihelion, its closest point, on the 24th. This effect is not visually apparent.
Points of Interest
The dwarf planet 1 Ceres will be at opposition on the 2nd. It will be visible between 23:02 and 03:30 BST, reaching its highest point around 01:16 BST. Look for it in the constellation of Cetus. You will need a small telescope to see this.
The Andromeda galaxy will be well placed for observation, particularly on the 2nd. It is visible all night and reaches its highest point around midnight. Look for it in the constellation of Andromeda. You will need binoculars or a small telescope to see this.
The Triangulum galaxy will be well placed for observation, particularly on the 15th. It is visible all night and reaches its highest point around midnight. Look for it in the constellation of Triangulum. You will need binoculars or a small telescope to see this.
The dwarf planet 136199 Eris will be at opposition on the 18th. It will be visible between 21:32 and 04:33 BST, reaching its highest point around 01:02 BST. Look for it in the constellation of Cetus. You will need at least a four-inch telescope to see this.
The Perseus Double Cluster will be well placed for observation, particularly on the 26th. It is circumpolar and therefore visible all night, reaching its highest point around 00:03 GMT. Look for it in the constellation of Perseus. You will need binoculars or a small telescope to see this.
Visit Spot the Station to find out when the ISS will be visible from your location.
Last updated: 29th August 2025.