Get ready for a celestial spectacle in October 2025! As the new moon arrives, it will hide the red star Antares from view for some lucky stargazers. But here's where it gets controversial: while the new moon will darken the skies for the Orionid meteor shower, three days later, the young moon will pass in front of the red star Antares for observers in South America and the Falklands. Is this a rare occurrence or a common event?
The new moon phase happens when the sun and moon are on the same line drawn from one celestial pole to the other. The exact moment of this month's full moon occurs on Tuesday, October 21, at 8:25 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (1225 UTC), according to the U.S. Naval Observatory. Do you think this timing is convenient for stargazers?
Usually, the moon appears above or below the sun as seen from Earth, but about twice a year, the two are lined up just right, resulting in a solar eclipse, the only time a new moon is visible. Is this a rare or common occurrence?
This new moon won't eclipse the sun, but the three-day-old moon will eclipse the red supergiant Antares, the brightest star in Scorpius, the Scorpion. Do you think this is a significant event for astronomy enthusiasts?
Occultations, like eclipses, are not rare, but being in the right place to observe them can be tricky. The moon's shadow on the Earth's surface is relatively small compared to the planet's size. Do you think this makes it challenging for amateur astronomers to witness?
During the occultation on October 24, Northern Hemisphere sky watchers in New York City, for example, will see the moon appear below Antares. Do you think this is a unique perspective or a common observation?
This occultation will still be close to the horizon, near sunset. One larger city it is visible from is Ushuaia, Argentina. Do you think this is a significant location for astronomy enthusiasts?
In Punta Arenas, Chile, the occultation starts at 10:37 p.m. on October 24, and Antares will disappear behind the moon's upper right quadrant. Do you think this is a rare or common occurrence?
For those unable to see the occultation, there are still the nighttime planets in late October. Do you think this is a good opportunity for people to learn about astronomy?
At the latitude of New York City, Chicago, or Sacramento, Saturn will be the first planet visible; Saturn rises in New York at 5:54 p.m. local time on October 21 and by 7:30 p.m., when the sky will be darker, it is 27 degrees above the southeastern horizon. Do you think this is a significant event for astronomy enthusiasts?
