LISTEN to this week’s Sky Report

This is the Griffith Observatory Sky Report through October 31st, 2019. Here’s what’s happening in the skies of southern California.

A clear sky and an unobstructed view toward the western horizon will allow you to see the two brightest planets beginning shortly after sunset.

The brightest planet, Venus, should be easy to see by 6:20 p.m. It will be 8 degrees above the west-southwest horizon. Compare that angle to that of the height your clenched fist held at arm’s length–about 10 degrees.

Jupiter, the second brightest planet, is easier to spot to the upper left of Venus, in a darker part of the sky. Venus sets at 7:04 p.m., followed by Jupiter, about two hours later.

The ringed planet Saturn also becomes easy to see as the sky darkens. Its bright gleam appears amidst stars of Sagittarius the Archer and it is located 20 degrees (two fist diameters) to the left of, and slightly higher than, Jupiter. Saturn is a little west of the meridian when darkness falls. Saturn sets in the west-southwest at 10:30 p.m.

The waning crescent moon may be seen before sunrise until the 26th. The moon is new on the evening of the 27th. If the air is very clear, its slender waxing crescent may be visible on the evening of the 28th, very close to the horizon and to the lower right of Venus starting at at 6:20 p.m. Binoculars should help you to find it. The moon passes Jupiter on the 30th and 31st.

The International Space Station moves through the Los Angeles sky at dawn on Saturday, October 26th. The ISS will suddenly appear as it is already 64 degrees high in the east-northeast at, 5:31 a.m. when it moves out of Earth’s shadow and into the sunlight. The space station will be visible for three minutes as it descends to the northeast horizon.

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, November 2nd between 2:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Follow The Sky Report, All Space Considered, and Griffith Observatory on Twitter for updates on astronomy and space-related events.

From Griffith Observatory, I’m Anthony Cook, and I can be reached at griffithobserver@gmail.com.