{"id":63957,"date":"2024-09-30T12:22:12","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T12:22:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/3abd63db-ddb6-44e7-b7df-e404e5bcf52e"},"modified":"2024-09-30T12:39:40","modified_gmt":"2024-09-30T12:39:40","slug":"planets-of-the-solar-system-in-october-2024-which-are-best-placed-and-how-to-see-them","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/planets-of-the-solar-system-in-october-2024-which-are-best-placed-and-how-to-see-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Planets of the Solar System in October 2024 – which are best-placed and how to see them"},"content":{"rendered":"

As it approaches opposition, now’s a great time to observe and image the gas giant. <\/p>

By Pete Lawrence\n <\/p>

Published: Monday, 30 September 2024 at 12:22 PM<\/p>

\n\n

The planets make a welcome return to our skies in autumn and winter 2024<\/a>, making up for a pretty terrible year for planetary observing so far.<\/p>

In October 2024 our planetary pick is Neptune, and you can find out more about this in our guide to observing Neptune in October<\/a>.<\/p>

Below is information about the Solar System planets for October 2024, including the best ones to see and key dates for observing.<\/p>

More planet observing<\/strong><\/h3>How to photograph planets<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/li>
Visible planets tonight<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/li>
How to find planets<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/li>
Solar System guide<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
The planets return to our night sky in autumn and winter 2024. Credit: m-gucci \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
Neptune<\/strong><\/h2>
Best time to see:<\/strong> 1 October, around midnight<\/li>
Altitude:<\/strong> 35\u00b0<\/li>
Location:<\/strong> Pisces<\/li>
Direction:<\/strong> South<\/li>
Features:<\/strong> Colour, Triton, subtle banding through larger instruments<\/li>
Recommended equipment:<\/strong> 200mm scope or larger<\/li><\/ul>
Mercury<\/strong><\/h2>
Mercury is an evening object but sets close to sunset. Consequently, it\u2019s unlikely to be seen this month.\u00a0<\/p>
Venus<\/strong><\/h2>
Best time to see:<\/strong> 31 October, 30 minutes after sunset<\/li>
Altitude:<\/strong> 5\u00b0 (low)\u00a0<\/li>
Location:<\/strong> Ophiuchus<\/li>
Direction:<\/strong> Southwest<\/li><\/ul>
Mag. \u20133.8 evening planet Venus sets 50 minutes after the Sun on 1 October<\/strong>, the offset increasing to nearly 90 minutes by 31 October<\/strong>. A 7%-lit waxing crescent Moon sits 3.7\u00b0 south of Venus on 5 October<\/strong> but is low, setting just 30 minutes after sunset.\u00a0<\/p>
Mars<\/strong><\/h2>
Best time to see:<\/strong> 31 October, 05:20 UT<\/li>
Altitude:<\/strong> 59\u00b0\u00a0<\/li>
Location:<\/strong> Cancer<\/li>
Direction:<\/strong> South<\/li><\/ul>
Morning planet Mars is in Gemini<\/a>, managing 55\u00b0 altitude under darkness at the start of October<\/strong>. Shining at mag. +0.4, it appears 56 arcminutes from mag. +3.5 Wasat (Delta (\u03b4) Geminorum) on 8 October<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>
The planet is visited by a 61%-lit waning gibbous Moon on the morning of 23 October<\/strong> and the last quarter Moon on the night of 23\/24 October<\/strong>. By the end of October<\/strong>, Mars reaches peak altitude just as darkness lifts. On 31 October<\/strong>, the planet shines at mag. +0.1, presenting a 9-arcsecond disc through the eyepiece.\u00a0<\/p>
Jupiter<\/strong><\/h2>
Best time to see:<\/strong> 31 October, 02:50 UT<\/li>
Altitude:<\/strong> 59\u00b0<\/li>
Location:<\/strong> Taurus<\/li>
Direction:<\/strong> South<\/li><\/ul>
Jupiter reaches opposition on 7 December<\/strong> and with increasingly longer nights, now is a great time to enjoy this magnificent planet. On 1 October<\/strong>, Jupiter rises at 21:40 BST (20:40 UT), shines at mag. \u20132.3 and reaches its highest position due south under deep morning twilight at around 05:52 BST (04:52 UT). An 81%-lit waning gibbous Moon sits 5.6\u00b0 north of Jupiter on the morning of 21 October<\/strong>. By the month\u2019s end, Jupiter easily achieves its peak altitude of 60\u00b0 under true darkness.\u00a0<\/p>
Saturn<\/strong><\/h2>
Best time to see:<\/strong> 1 October, 23:30 BST (22:30 UT)<\/li>
Altitude:<\/strong> 29\u00b0<\/li>
Location:<\/strong> Aquarius<\/li>
Direction:<\/strong> South<\/li><\/ul>
Having reached opposition on 7 September<\/strong>, Saturn remains well placed this month. On 1 October<\/strong>, it rises during daylight around 18:20 BST (17:20 UT), reaching 30\u00b0 when due south around 23:40 BST (22:40 UT). It\u2019s currently shining at mag. +0.4 in eastern Aquarius. On the evening of 14 October<\/strong>, Saturn sits 0.9\u00b0 north of the 89%-lit waxing gibbous Moon\u2019s centre as darkness falls. By the end of October<\/strong>, Saturn remains well placed, reaching its peak altitude of 30\u00b0 around 20:30 UT.\u00a0<\/p>
Uranus<\/strong><\/h2>
Best time to see:<\/strong> 31 October, 01:00 UT<\/li>
Altitude:<\/strong> 56\u00b0<\/li>
Location:<\/strong> Taurus<\/li>
Direction:<\/strong> South<\/li><\/ul>
Uranus is a mag. +5.7 morning object currently 5.5\u00b0 south-southwest of the Pleiades<\/a> open cluster. It reaches its peak altitude of 56\u00b0 when due south under dark-sky conditions all month long.<\/p>
If you’re a planetary observer or imager, send us your observations and images by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>
This guide originally appeared in the October 2024 issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine.<\/em><\/strong><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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