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This is the Griffith Observatory Sky Report through October 3rd, 2018. Here’s what’s happening in the skies of southern California.
The brightest planet, Venus, appears close to the southwest horizon during evening twilight, through October 1st. After that, the planet will be lost in the sun’s glare as its orbit brings it between the Earth and the sun. Until then, nearly any telescope will reveal the crescent phase of Venus.
The second brightest planet, Jupiter, is also low in the southwest and is to the upper left of Venus during the evening twilight. Jupiter sets at 9:00 p.m. on September 26th and at 8:37 p.m. on October 3rd.
Saturn, resembling a golden star, is well placed for viewing in the west-southwest sky to the upper left of Jupiter in the early evening. A telescope can reveal Saturn’s beautiful rings. Located against the backdrop of the constellation Sagittarius the Archer, Saturn is visible until it sets at about 11:20 p.m.
Orange planet Mars outshines Saturn and is located to the left of Saturn, in the constellation Capricornus the Sea Goat. Mars is highest in the south at about 8:30 p.m. Although its increasing distance from Earth now makes it look about a third smaller than it appeared at the end of July, the dark features of Mars have become much easier to see through a telescope now that the global Martian dust storm has ceased. Mars sets in the west-southwest at about 1:50 a.m.
The waning moon changes from gibbous to last quarter phase on October 2nd. It rises at 8:04 p.m. on September 26th and at 12:41 a.m. on October 3rd.
Free views of the Sun during the day and of the moon, planets, and other celestial objects at night are available to the public in clear weather through Griffith Observatory’s telescopes from Tuesday through Sunday, before 9:30 p.m. Check our website for the schedule. The next free public star party on the grounds of Griffith Observatory, hosted by the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, the Sidewalk Astronomers, and the Planetary Society, will take place on Saturday, October 20th.
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From Griffith Observatory, I’m Anthony Cook, and I can be reached at griffithobserver@gmail.com.