October Wonders: Two Brilliant Meteor Showers and Supermoon Awaiting Vietnamese People
Báo Thanh niên•01/10/2024
In October, Vietnamese people get to admire many amazing phenomena in the sky.
According to the Hanoi Astronomical Society (HAS), the October sky will be highlighted by two brilliant meteor showers as well as a supermoon, which will be an astronomical feast worth looking forward to for Vietnamese people.
1. New Moon (October 3)
The moon will be on the same side of the earth as the sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 1:51 a.m. (Vietnam time). This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
Waiting for meteor shower this October
PHOTO: THANH TUNG
2. Draconids Meteor Shower (October 7)
The Draconids is a minor meteor shower, producing only about 10 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet 21P Giacobini-Zinner, which was first discovered in 1900. The Draconids are unusual in that the best viewing is in the early evening rather than the early morning hours of most meteor showers. The shower runs annually from October 6 to 10, peaking this year on the night of October 7. The second quarter moon will ensure dark skies in the early evening for a good show. If you are patient, you may still be able to catch a few good ones. The best viewing will be in the early evening from a location away from city lights. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Draco, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
3. Full moon, super moon (October 17)
The moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth as the sun and its face will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at 6:28 p.m. ET. This full moon was called the Hunter's Moon by early Native American tribes because at this time of year leaves are falling and game is active and ready to hunt. This is also the second of three supermoons of 2024. The moon will be closest to the Earth and may appear slightly larger and brighter than usual.
October night sky with many interesting things
PHOTO: HUY HYUNH
4. Orionids Meteor Shower (October 21 - 22)
The Orionids is an average meteor shower that produces up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by dust particles left behind by Halley's comet, which has been known and observed since ancient times. The shower runs annually from October 2 to November 7. It peaks this year on the night of October 21 and the morning of October 22. The waning gibbous moon will obscure most of the fainter meteors this year. But if you're patient, you should still be able to catch a few good ones. The best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Orion but can appear anywhere in the sky.
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