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This is the Griffith Observatory Sky Report through October 17th, 2018. Here’s what’s happening in the skies of southern California.

The second brightest planet, Jupiter, is low in the southwest during the evening twilight. Jupiter sets at 8:10 p.m. on October 11th and at 7:51 p.m. on October 17th.

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 10:20 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 8:15 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 moon is first quarter phase on October 16th. It sets at 8:20 p.m. on October 11th and at 12:21 a.m. on October 17th.

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.

Follow the Sky Report on Twitter for updates of astronomy and space-related events.

From Griffith Observatory, I’m Patrick So on behalf of Anthony Cook, and I can be reached at griffithobserver@gmail.com.