October 7 – Draconid meteor shower
The Draconids are a small, prolonged meteor shower that only produces about 10 meteors per hour. It is created by dust particles left behind by comet 21P Giacobini-Zinner, first detected in 1900. The Draconids are an unusual meteor shower because the best time to see it is at dusk instead of dawn as most other meteor showers. The meteor shower takes place from November 6 to 10 each year and this year will peak on the night of the 7th. This year, the first half moon of the month will eclipse all but the brightest meteors. If you are patient, you will still be able to catch some great views. The best viewing time will be at dusk in a dark location away from city lights. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Draco but can appear anywhere in the sky.
Draconid meteor shower. Author: Father Soler
October 8 – Mercury reaches its western maximum ecliptic
Mercury will reach its greatest western ecliptic at 18 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to observe Mercury as it will be highest above the horizon in the morning. Look for the low planet in the eastern sky just before dawn. October 9 – Full Moon
The Moon will be on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun and its side will be completely illuminated. This phase occurs at 03:55 (Vietnam time). Native Americans called it the hunter’s moon because at this time of year the leaves begin to fall, the animals begin to get fat, and they prepare for the hunt. This moon is also known as Travel Moon and Blood Moon.
October 21 and 22 – Orionid meteor shower
The Orionids are a medium shower of stars, producing up to 20 stars per hour at most. It is created by dust particles left behind by Comet Halley, known and observed since ancient times. The meteor shower occurs every year from October 2 to November 7. The peak this year is on the night of October 21. The slender crescent moon will leave the night sky for a good show. The best time to watch is from a dark place after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Orion but can appear anywhere in the sky.
Orionid meteor shower over Inner Mongolia, China. Author: Yin Hao
October 25 – New Moon
The Moon will be in the same direction as the Earth relative to the Sun and will not appear in the night sky. This phase takes place at 5:49 p.m. (Vietnam time). This is the best time to observe faint objects like galaxies and star clusters as they will not be affected by moonlight.
October 25 – Partial Solar Eclipse
A partial eclipse occurs when the Moon only covers part of the Sun, sometimes looking like a half-eaten cookie. A solar eclipse can only be viewed safely if there is a filter for sunlight or by looking at its shadow. This partial eclipse will be best observed in a few areas of western Russia and Kazakhstan. The best place to see it is in central Russia with 80% coverage. This phenomenon is not observed in Vietnam. (NASA map and eclipse information)
Partial solar eclipse in 2012 in the state of Texas – USA. Author: Jimmy Westlake (Colorado Mountain College) and Linda Westlake
See more astronomical calendar 2022 here: https://deepsky2000.net/quan-sat-thien-van/lich-thien-van-nam-2022/
The HAS translation team.
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