Derekscope

Daylight Savings

• The clocks go back on Sunday, 25th October to mark the end of British Summer Time (BST) and return the UK to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), shifting the time from 2am back to 1am.
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• For stargazers and astronomers, moving the clocks back means darkness arrives earlier in the evening, which is highly beneficial, because it allows for much earlier night sky viewing and astrophotography sessions.
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• The Reasons for the October Clock Change

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Moon Near Saturn

• The Moon makes a close approach to Saturn in the night sky.
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• The two will appear relatively close together in the constellation Cetus.
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• The Moon will be a waxing gibbous, heading toward the Full Moon on 26 October.
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• It’s a lovely pairing to look for after sunset, with Saturn appearing as a steady point of light near the bright Moon.
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Venus at inferior solar conjunction

• At this point, Venus disappears into the Sun’s glare as it transitions from the evening sky to the morning sky.
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• It marks an important turning point in Venus’s cycle, from setting after the Sun to eventually rising before the Sun.

Orionids

• The Orionids are one of the most spectacular annual meteor showers, created by debris left behind by Halley’s Comet as Earth passes through its trail.
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• For the best chance of seeing them, find a dark location away from city lights, allow your eyes time to adjust, and look towards a wide area of the sky.
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• No telescope is needed – just patience and clear skies!

• Orioninds Meteor Shower 2026
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  – Beginning to ending date: 2nd October to 7th November
  – Peak Date: 21st October
  – Rating: Strong
  – Zenith Hourly Rate (ZHR): around 20 per hour
  – Radiant Position: RA: 06h 24m / DEC: +15°
  – Degrees: 096º  (Face: East)
  – Comet: Comet 1P/Halley
  – Note: Fast meteors, many with trains / Good in 2006.
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The Moon’s Jewelled Handle

(Photo above The Jewelled Handle ~ Image by Derek Rowley)
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• The Jewelled Handle or Golden Handle
  The Moon’s Golden Handle is visible from the UK once each lunar month, roughly 2-4 days after First Quarter Moon, when the Sun grazes the Montes Jura and lights their peaks while Sinus Iridum is still in darkness ~ this creates the bright “handle” effect along the terminator.
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• After the First Quarter Moon (half-moonlit), the Moon increases towards the Full Moon in the waxing gibbous phase ~ the time when the Jewelled handle shines brightest.
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• This effect is only visible for a few days each month ~ roughly 2-4 days after the first quarter Moon.
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• Equipment
  You will need a small telescope or binoculars (8×42 or 10×50) are enough to show the arc beautifully.
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British Deaf Astronomical Association
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Autumn Equinox Sky Camp
Monday 4th October – Monday 12th October 2026
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Weybourne, North Norfolk
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• We’ve published our report covering this year’s outreach activities.
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• Take a look at what we achieved together and enjoy the photos from our events.
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Click here to read
the report and view the photos

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Lunar V & X

• Lunar X and Lunar V
  Sunlight catches rims at lunar first quarter to create the bright V and X shapes.

• Best viewing time in the UK
  Not visible for the UK Observers for this month.
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  –…Today: Sunday 18th October 2026
  –…Start formation: not visible
  –…Peak visibility: not visible
  –…Fade disappearing: not visible
  –…Visible: not visible (below the horizon)
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• The next one will be on Monday 16th November 2026.
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• The Moon repeats its cycle every 29½ days, so these effects happen every month, just on slightly different dates – see the complete full timetable for 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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• Equipment
  While sometimes visible with high-power binoculars, a telescope is recommended to see the fine detail of the crater rims forming the Lunar X and V.
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• Lunar X and Lunar V
  Sunlight catches rims at lunar first quarter to create the bright V and X shapes.

• Best viewing time in the UK
  Not visible for the UK Observers for this month.
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  –…Today: Sunday 18th October 2026
  –…Start formation: not visible
  –…Peak visibility: not visible
  –…Fade disappearing: not visible
  –…Visible: not visible (below the horizon)
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• The next one will be on Monday 16th November 2026.
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• The Moon repeats its cycle every 29½ days, so these effects happen every month, just on slightly different dates – see the complete full timetable for 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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• Equipment
  While sometimes visible with high-power binoculars, a telescope is recommended to see the fine detail of the crater rims forming the Lunar X and V.
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First Quarter Moon

• Rises around noon and sets around midnight, appearing high in the southern sky during the early evening.
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• This is one of the best phases for telescopic observation, as the low Sun angle along the terminator casts long shadows that reveal craters, mountains, and valleys in striking detail.
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The Moon at apogee

• The Moon reaches apogee ~ the farthest point in its orbit from Earth.
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• The Moon appears slightly smaller and dimmer in the sky compared to perigee.
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