Astro Bob: See one other binocular comet and bits of Halley’s Comet – Duluth News Tribune

Leaves are flying within the wind, streaming from the timber like taking pictures stars in a meteor bathe. I took a stroll on a current blustery afternoon and tried my greatest to catch falling leaves. I solely managed to seize a single one regardless of many makes an attempt. It’s not straightforward predicting the trajectory of a leaf in a fall gale. “Catching” meteors is far simpler!

On Monday night time, Oct. 20-21, we’ll have that chance. That’s when the spawn of Halley’s Comet within the type of the Orionid meteor bathe will peak. Every 76 years or so, when the well-known comet returns to the interior photo voltaic system, photo voltaic heating vaporizes a few of its dust-rich ice. The mud spreads out across the comet to create a fuzzy head, whereas daylight gently pushes the fabric away from the pinnacle to type a tail. Some of the particles leads to Halley’s orbital path. Every October, Earth cuts throughout that orbit and bits of sloughed mud strike the ambiance, warmth up and spritz us with a meteor bathe.

Contributed / Bob King

For almost a month, from early October to early November, Earth wades by means of Halley mud. We encounter the thickest a part of the particles path in a single day on Oct. 20-21, when as much as 20 Orionids per hour are anticipated. They’ll streak from the radiant, situated a few fist above the intense purple supergiant star Betelgeuse. Best viewing will probably be between about 1 a.m. to six a.m. on the morning of the twenty first. Why so late? Orion would not get excessive sufficient within the sky till after midnight. If you watch earlier you will see just a few meteors however most will probably be minimize off by the horizon.

Lucky for us, the moon will probably be new and never hassle the skies. No tools is required until you rely endurance, lack of expectations and a comfortable lounge chair to look at from. Be certain to decorate warmly. Temperatures could be close to freezing and you will be mendacity nonetheless. I prefer to get beneath a blanket for additional insulation. The greatest course to face is the one the place the sky is darkest, then simply look forward to that first meteor to look. Unlike the richer Perseid and Geminid showers, the place a meteor flashes by each couple minutes, you may need to attend 5 minutes or extra between sightings.

Orionids are swift, hitting the ambiance at greater than 147,000 miles per hour and vaporizing in brilliant streaks of sunshine. They differ from random meteors known as sporadics as a result of their paths all level again to the identical spot within the sky above Betelgeuse.

While you are watching, you will discover a really brilliant “star” three balled fists to the left of Orion. That’s the planet Jupiter. Take a have a look at it in binoculars, and also you may be capable to select its 4 brightest moons in a decent line on both facet of the planet. Europa and Io will probably be to the left and under Jupiter and Ganymede and Callisto above and to its proper.

Contributed / Stellarium with additions by Bob King

Last week I wrote about Comet Lemmon’s transition from daybreak to nightfall. It’s now seen low within the northwestern sky and stands a few fist above and to the proper of the intense, orange-red star Arcturus. From the nation, it’s extremely straightforward to search out in binoculars and shows a brilliant, dense fuzzy head and wispy tail pointing nearly due north. You may even glimpse it with out optical help over the subsequent week. The comet is seen for about an hour and a half beginning round 90 minutes after sundown.

Contributed / Stellarium with additions by Bob King

Meanwhile, Comet SWAN (C/2025 R2) is making an look within the southwestern night sky close to the border of Sagittarius and Serpens. It’s solely a bit fainter than Comet Lemmon and readily seen in binoculars from a fairly darkish sky at dusk. Unfortunately, it lacks brilliant, easily-recognizable information stars like that comet. Try star-hopping from Nunki, Sabik and Altair. All of those and extra are proven on the map.

Contributed / Bob King

It’s uncommon to have two binocular-bright comets present up on the similar time, particularly with out interference from the intense moon. I hope you notice them each the subsequent clear night time.

“Astro” Bob King is a contract author and retired photographer for the Duluth News Tribune. You can attain him at [email protected].