Night Sky Planner

Sunday, 10/4/2026

In the Sky

Visible planets and night sky guide for October

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Video

What's Up: October 2026 Skywatching Tips from NASA

Saturn takes center stage, a meteor shower lights up the sky, and the Moon visits the Seven Sisters.

  • On October 4, Saturn reaches opposition, giving skywatchers one of the year's best opportunities to see the ringed planet. In addition, learn about a 10-sided atmospheric wave encircling Saturn's south pole that was recently revealed by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.

     

  • The Orionid meteor shower peaks October 21-22. Debris from Halley's Comet produces the meteors, but this year, a bright Moon will obscure some of the fainter streaks. The best viewing chances will likely be the hours before dawn, after the Moon sets.
  • Then, on October 27-28, look east in the evening for the Moon passing close to the Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters. The star cluster is visible to the unaided eye and even more spectacular through binoculars.

More Planning Tools

  • NSN Monthly Article

    NSN Monthly Article

    Discover the highlights of this month's sky plus the latest NASA science in a short, informative article for all.


  • ClearSky Chart

    ClearSky Chart

    Click your location on the map to check on viewing condition predictions in your area.


  • Sky Maps

    Sky Maps

    Navigate the night sky. Download a sky map for the current month.


  • Spot the Station

    Spot the Station

    Choose your state, then city to see when the International Space Station can be seen crossing the sky.


Bookmark this page as your one-stop planning resource for astronomy events. Note: By clicking any of these links, you will be leaving the NASA domain. These resources are provided strictly to help users, and not as a way to promote one site over another.