EarthSky
Watch for these planets before dawn in October, 2015! Photo: Mohamed Laaifat Photographies in Normandy, France.
Look east before dawn, where bright Venus and Jupiter – and fainter Mars – shine close together. Mercury will join the scene in mid-month. Photo taken October 2, 2015 by Mohamed Laaifat Photographies in Normandy, France. Thank you, Mohamed!
Read more: October 2015 guide to the five visible planets
October is going to be a fantastic month for planet-watching before dawn. Here’s a preview of what’s to come …
The waning crescent moon will swing by the morning planets Venus, Mars and Jupiter – around October 8, 9 and 10. Read more.
Circle October 10 and 11 on your calendar. That’s when you have the opportunity to view the waning crescent moon and Mercury coupling up in the east before dawn. Read more.
Jupiter will be in conjunction with Mars on October 17. Read more.
A grouping of three planets inside a circle having a 5-degree diameter on the sky’s dome is known as a planetary trio. Venus, Jupiter and Mars will form a planetary trio in the east before dawn from about October 24 to around October 29. Another grouping of three planets won’t happen again until January 10, 2021. Read more.
Bottom line: Don’t miss these bright planets in the east before dawn. They’ll perform an intricate dance throughout October, 2015. Photo by Mohamed Laaifat Photographies in Normandy, France.
