Southern California Desert Video Astronomers
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Our Mission.............................
" To share our abilities with astronomy in order to preserve dark starry night skies and a vibrant healthy environment in the California Desert and everywhere else on our Planet for future generations! "
SCDVA, moving the line for dark skies and environmental awareness.
The World's First & Only Live Astronomy Theater.
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Clear Sky Chart for The Joshua Tree Astronomy Arts Theater
January moon, February moon, March moon, April moon, May moon, June moon, July moon, August moon, September moon, October moon, November moon, December Moon
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SCDVA, Official IDA Chapter Serving The High Desert Region
San Bernardino County
IDA International Dark Sky Association
Ask what you can do for dark skies."
Inspired by a quote from JFK
Click the above image to see amazing live views of our earth
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OCTOBER SKIES
The Harvest Moon, which is the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox. In two years out of three, the Harvest Moon comes in September, but in some years it occurs in October as it will in 2020.
At the peak of harvest, farmers can work late into the night by the light of this Moon. Usually the full Moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night, but for the few nights around the Harvest Moon, the Moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night, just 25 to 30 minutes later across the U.S., and only 10 to 20 minutes later for much of Canada and Europe.
According to the Farmers Almanac, this full Moon is also referred to as the "Full Corn Moon, or Hunters Moon. Many moons ago, Native Americans named this bright moon for obvious reasons. The leaves are falling from trees, the deer are fattened, and it’s time to begin storing up meat for the long winter ahead. Because the fields were traditionally reaped in late September or early October, hunters could easily see fox and other animals that come out to glean from the fallen grains. Probably because of the threat of winter looming close, the Hunter’s Moon is generally accorded with special honor, historically serving as an important feast day in both Western Europe and among many Native American tribes." Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice the chief Indian staples are now ready for gathering.
OCTOBER 2nd - Saturn and Jupiter Shine Bright
At nightfall, the planets Jupiter and Saturn are in the south. They look like a pair of bright eyes, with Jupiter far brighter than Saturn. And an hour later, the Moon and Mars climb into view. Mars looks like a brilliant orange star to the lower left of the Moon as it makes its closest approach. Mars is at its brightest until 2035
OCTOBER 6th Close Encounter with Mars
The Red Planet Mars, is shining a bright orange/red this month. It is the 3rd brightest object in the night sky, with the Moon and Venus placing number 2. Mars passes closest to Earth early tonight, at just 38.6 million miles.
The Red Planet Mars, is shining a bright orange/red this month. It is the 3rd brightest object in the night sky, with the Moon and Venus placing number 2. Mars passes closest to Earth early tonight, at just 38.6 million miles.
October 7th - Draconids Meteor Shower
The shower runs annually from October 6-10 and peaks this year on the the night of the 7th. A small meteor shower, producing about 10 meteors an hour, but what makes this one a bit different is that it is best viewed in the earlier evening hours as opposed to the early morning hours. Viewing should be good as the waning gibbous Moon does not rise until 10:04 pm.
The Draconids are produced by dust grains left behind by comet 21P Giacobini-Zinner, first discovered in 1900. The first quarter moon will block the fainter meteors in the early evening, but will set shortly after midnight leaving darker skies for observing any lingering stragglers. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Draco, but can appear anywhere in the sky away from city lights.
The shower runs annually from October 6-10 and peaks this year on the the night of the 7th. A small meteor shower, producing about 10 meteors an hour, but what makes this one a bit different is that it is best viewed in the earlier evening hours as opposed to the early morning hours. Viewing should be good as the waning gibbous Moon does not rise until 10:04 pm.
The Draconids are produced by dust grains left behind by comet 21P Giacobini-Zinner, first discovered in 1900. The first quarter moon will block the fainter meteors in the early evening, but will set shortly after midnight leaving darker skies for observing any lingering stragglers. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Draco, but can appear anywhere in the sky away from city lights.
Look to the North West to find Draco
OCTOBER 13TH - Conjunction of the Moon & Venus
The Moon and Venus will be making a close approach, passing within 4°02' of each other.
For you early risers, from Joshua Tree, looking East, the pair will be visible in the predawn sky in the constellation Leo, rising at 03:51 am. About 3 hours before the Sun and will be reaching an altitude of 32° above the eastern horizon as it fades from view at the break of dawn around 06:35 am.
They will be too widely separated to fit in the view of a telescope, but will look great to the naked eye or even better through a pair of binoculars.
At around the same time, the pair will also share the same right ascension, called a conjunction.
The Moon and Venus will be making a close approach, passing within 4°02' of each other.
For you early risers, from Joshua Tree, looking East, the pair will be visible in the predawn sky in the constellation Leo, rising at 03:51 am. About 3 hours before the Sun and will be reaching an altitude of 32° above the eastern horizon as it fades from view at the break of dawn around 06:35 am.
They will be too widely separated to fit in the view of a telescope, but will look great to the naked eye or even better through a pair of binoculars.
At around the same time, the pair will also share the same right ascension, called a conjunction.
OCTOBER 21/22 - Orionids Meteor Shower.
The Orionids is an average shower producing up to 15-20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Halley, which has been known and observed since ancient times. The shower runs annually from October 2 to November 7. It peaks this year on the night of the 21st and the morning of of the 22nd. The waxing crescent moon will set around 10:30 leaving dark skies for what should be a good show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight and the pre dawn hours. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Orion, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
OCTOBER 31st - Full Blue Moon on Halloween
The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at 14:51 UTC. Since this is the second full moon in the same month, it is sometimes referred to as a blue moon. This rare calendar event only occurs every few months, giving rise to the term "once in a blue moon".
According to the Farmers Almanac, this full Moon is also referred to as the "Full Hunter’s Moon, Blood Moon, or Sanguine Moon. Many moons ago, Native Americans named this bright moon for obvious reasons. The leaves are falling from trees, the deer are fattened, and it’s time to begin storing up meat for the long winter ahead. Because the fields were traditionally reaped in late September or early October, hunters could easily see fox and other animals that come out to glean from the fallen grains. Probably because of the threat of winter looming close, the Hunter’s Moon is generally accorded with special honor, historically serving as an important feast day in both Western Europe and among many Native American tribes." Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice the chief Indian staples are now ready for gathering.
OCTOBER 31st - Full Blue Moon on Halloween
The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at 14:51 UTC. Since this is the second full moon in the same month, it is sometimes referred to as a blue moon. This rare calendar event only occurs every few months, giving rise to the term "once in a blue moon".
According to the Farmers Almanac, this full Moon is also referred to as the "Full Hunter’s Moon, Blood Moon, or Sanguine Moon. Many moons ago, Native Americans named this bright moon for obvious reasons. The leaves are falling from trees, the deer are fattened, and it’s time to begin storing up meat for the long winter ahead. Because the fields were traditionally reaped in late September or early October, hunters could easily see fox and other animals that come out to glean from the fallen grains. Probably because of the threat of winter looming close, the Hunter’s Moon is generally accorded with special honor, historically serving as an important feast day in both Western Europe and among many Native American tribes." Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice the chief Indian staples are now ready for gathering.
Check out the
Joshua Tree Astronomy Arts Theater
Facebook site
For the Latest Astronomy News
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Check out the
Joshua Tree Astronomy Arts Theater
Facebook site
For the Latest Astronomy News
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Please Help Support our efforts. To contribute, click the link below.
Or mail your Contributions to
JTAAT
P.O. Box 425
Joshua
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Note: non tax deductible
Last updated October 02, 2020