Astronomical Events: October 2026

Oct. 1

Moon at perigee
The Moon reaches its closest point to Earth and appears slightly larger than average.

Oct. 2

Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri
The Moon passes directly in front of Beta Tauri, also known as Elnath, temporarily obscuring the star from view in parts of the world.

Andromeda Galaxy well placed
The Andromeda Galaxy, the nearest large galaxy to the Milky Way, becomes favorably positioned for observation.

Oct. 3

Moon at last quarter
Half of the Moon appears illuminated as it reaches its last quarter phase.

NGC 253 well placed
NGC 253, also known as the Sculptor Galaxy, becomes favorably positioned for observation.

Oct. 4

Saturn at opposition
Saturn reaches opposition, placing it opposite the Sun in Earth's sky. This is one of the best times of the year to observe the planet.

Asteroid 2 Pallas at opposition
Asteroid 2 Pallas reaches opposition, making it favorably positioned for observation from Earth.

Small Magellanic Cloud well placed
The Small Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy neighboring the Milky Way, becomes favorably positioned for observation.

Oct. 5

Conjunction of the Moon and Mars
Mars appears near the Moon along the same celestial longitude.

Close approach of the Moon and Mars
The Moon passes near Mars in the sky.

Lunar occultation of Mars
The Moon passes directly in front of Mars, temporarily obscuring the planet from view in parts of the world.

Makemake at solar conjunction
Dwarf planet Makemake passes near the Sun in Earth's sky, making it difficult to observe.

Close approach of the Moon and M44 (Beehive Cluster)
The Moon passes near the Beehive Cluster in the constellation Cancer.

Conjunction of Venus and Mercury
Venus and Mercury appear near each other along the same celestial longitude.

NGC 300 well placed
NGC 300, a spiral galaxy in the constellation Sculptor, becomes favorably positioned for observation.

Oct. 6

October Camelopardalid meteor shower peak
The October Camelopardalids reach peak activity, producing a modest number of meteors that appear to radiate from the constellation Camelopardalis.

Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
Jupiter appears near the Moon along the same celestial longitude.

Close approach of the Moon and Jupiter
The Moon passes near Jupiter in the sky.

Lunar occultation of Jupiter
The Moon passes directly in front of Jupiter, temporarily obscuring the planet from view in parts of the world.

Lunar occultation of Regulus
The Moon passes directly in front of Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, temporarily obscuring it from view in parts of the world.

Oct. 7

NGC 362 well placed
NGC 362, a globular star cluster in the constellation Tucana, becomes favorably positioned for observation.

Oct. 9

Draconid meteor shower peak
The Draconid meteor shower reaches peak activity, producing meteors that appear to radiate from the constellation Draco.

Mercury at highest altitude in evening sky
Mercury reaches its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky, providing favorable conditions for viewing the planet after sunset.

Oct. 10

New Moon
The Moon is positioned between Earth and the Sun and is not visible in the night sky.

Southern Taurid meteor shower peak
The Southern Taurids reach peak activity, producing relatively few but occasionally bright meteors.

Oct. 11

Close approach of Mars and M44 (Beehive Cluster)
Mars passes near the Beehive Cluster in the constellation Cancer.

Delta Aurigid meteor shower peak
The Delta Aurigids reach peak activity, producing a modest number of meteors which appear to radiate from the constellation Auriga.

Conjunction of the Moon and Venus
Venus appears near the Moon along the same celestial longitude.

Oct. 12

Mercury at greatest elongation east
Mercury reaches its greatest angular distance east of the Sun, making it favorably positioned for observation in the evening sky.

Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury
Mercury appears near the Moon along the same celestial longitude.

Oct. 13

Asteroid 4 Vesta at opposition
Asteroid 4 Vesta reaches opposition, making it favorably positioned for observation from Earth.

Moon at perihelion
The Moon reaches the point in its orbit closest to the Sun.

Oct. 14

Lunar occultation of Antares
The Moon passes directly in front of Antares, the bright red star in Scorpius, temporarily obscuring it from view in parts of the world.

Oct. 15

Triangulum Galaxy well placed
The Triangulum Galaxy, also known as M33, becomes favorably positioned for observation.

Oct. 16

Moon at apogee
The Moon reaches its farthest point from Earth and appears slightly smaller than average.

Oct. 17

Lunar occultation of Sigma Sagittarii
The Moon passes directly in front of Sigma Sagittarii, also known as Nunki, temporarily obscuring the star from view in parts of the world.

Mercury at dichotomy
Mercury reaches its half-illuminated phase as viewed from Earth.

Oct. 18

Moon at first quarter
Half of the Moon appears illuminated as it reaches first quarter.

Epsilon Geminid meteor shower peak
The Epsilon Geminids reach peak activity, producing a modest number of meteors that appear to radiate from the constellation Gemini.

Eris at opposition
Dwarf planet Eris reaches opposition, placing it opposite the Sun in Earth's sky and making it favorably positioned for observation.

Oct. 21

Orionid meteor shower peak
The Orionid meteor shower reaches peak activity, producing fast-moving meteors associated with debris left behind by Halley's Comet.

Oct. 23

Moon at aphelion
The Moon reaches the farthest point from the Sun in its orbit.

Venus at inferior solar conjunction
Venus passes between Earth and the Sun, making the planet temporarily difficult to observe.

Oct. 24

Close approach of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon passes near Saturn in the night sky.

Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
Saturn appears near the Moon along the same celestial longitude.

Leonis Minorid meteor shower peak
The Leonis Minorids reach peak activity, producing a modest number of meteors that appear to radiate from the constellation Leo Minor.

Oct. 25

Full Moon
October's Full Moon reaches peak illumination and remains visible for much of the night.

Oct. 26

Perseus Double Cluster well placed
The Double Cluster in Perseus, a pair of bright open star clusters, becomes favorably positioned for observation.

Haumea at solar conjunction
Dwarf planet Haumea passes near the Sun in Earth's sky, making it difficult to observe.

Oct. 27

Close approach of the Moon and M45 (Pleiades)
The Moon passes near the Pleiades star cluster in the night sky.

Oct. 28

Moon at perigee
The Moon reaches its closest point to Earth and appears slightly larger than average.

Oct. 29

Lunar occultation of Beta Tauri
The Moon passes directly in front of Beta Tauri, also known as Elnath, temporarily obscuring the star from view in parts of the world.

–Compiled by Mykel Del Angel