Jupiter
Late in the night of October 13 to 14, Jupiter will shine brightly next to the last quarter Moon. Easy to spot with the naked eye, the planet reveals its secrets as soon as you point a telescope at it: cloud bands become visible, and depending on its rotation, the Great Red Spot may appear.
That evening, the four main moons — Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto — will be perfectly aligned and visible without using your telescope’s enhanced vision.
Tip: the quality of planetary observation depends heavily on seeing — the stability of the atmosphere — which changes from night to night and from place to place. Try on several nights to get the sharpest view!
Jupiter: Photo Credit Laurie Ansorge
NGC 6946 – The Fireworks Galaxy
Between the constellations of Cygnus and Cepheus lies NGC 6946, a spiral galaxy nicknamed the “Fireworks Galaxy.”
In just a century, it has hosted ten supernovae (exploding stars at the end of their life) visible from Earth — an absolute record!
Its twisted arms, reddish hues, and star-forming regions make it a fascinating but faint target: your telescope will need a bit of time to fully reveal its structure.
NGC 6946: Photo Credit Stuart Fort
Iris Nebula
In the constellation Cepheus, the Iris Nebula is a reflection nebula surrounding a young, bright star.
Its light scatters through a vast cloud of cosmic dust, forming soft outlines tinted with gentle shades of blue.
This target also requires a bit of patience — with your telescope, its delicately colored “petals” will slowly emerge on screen.
Iris Nebula: Photo Credit George Ghreichi
See you next month for more reasons to look up!
Happy stargazing with UNISTELLAR.
Further readings
3 Reasons to observe this month Halloween Edition
Every month, discover three unmissable celestial events to observe with your Unistellar telescope.
3 Reasons to observe this month
Every month, discover three unmissable celestial events to observe with your Unistellar telescope.
Titan’s shadows
Every month, discover three unmissable celestial events to observe with your Unistellar telescope.
Unistellar Community Included In Multiple Scientific Papers
Did you know Unistellar Citizen Astronomers are often cited in published scientific papers? Find out how you can contribute too!
When Is the Next Solar Eclipse, and How to Observe It With a Unistellar Telescope
An annular solar eclipse is visible from the Americas on October 14. Learn how to witness the Ring of Fire with your Unistellar Telescope!
Halloween Observing Guide: Spooky Deep-Sky Objects
These Halloween deep-sky objects will add some light to those dark, spooky nights. Treats, tricks, and telescopes await!