Derekscope

Describing the visual differences between two nights

(Click on any of the photos below to enlarge them.)

• The Moon and Saturn pairing on Saturday 1st at 22:30 is striking, especially with the silhouetted trees grounding the celestial scene in a landscape.
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• Contrast to the first night’s view (top left) ~ the Moon and Saturn still shine through, nestled in Aquarius.

• Saturn appeared as a small disc with no visible rings through binoculars tonight due to the Moon’s glare, but the rings were still detectable with a large telescope but almost invisible in telescope images (see above).
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• Referring to the post from 1st November about the Moon appearing close to Saturn, and that I’ve enclosed two photos from each night above.
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• Mercury’s evening apparition in November 2025 is not especially notable for UK observers.
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• Low altitude ~ Mercury only reaches about 5° above the western horizon at sunset on 2nd and 3rd November, that’s quite low, making it hard to spot without a clear view.
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• Mars & Mercury ~ Mercury is near Mars in Scorpius, but both are low and not easily visible together.
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Moon & Saturn

• Captured in the evening sky, with Saturn glowing gently to the left of the Moon.
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• Exceptionally brightness ~ the Moon in Pisces, is the second brightest object in the sky after the Sun.
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• Saturn in Aquarius, is visible to the naked eye, but much dimmer than the Moon around 10,000 times fainter.
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Moon & Saturn

• Moon & Saturn, both will be visible until around midnight, reaching their highest point near 21:00 / 9.00pm.
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• Saturn won’t twinkle like stars – it glows steadily.
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• Using a binocular, a great way to enhance the view ~ you might glimpse Saturn’s oval shape.
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The Orionid Meteor Shower stills active
now until Friday 7th November 2025.
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• Thursday 2nd October thru Saturday 22nd November 2025
  The Orionid Meteor Shower officially begins on 2nd October, launching a few weeks of “shooting stars.”, running through 7th November 2025.
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• More read – Radiant position
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Mercury at greatest elongation west

• Mercury will reach its greatest eastern elongation, meaning it will be farthest from the Sun in the evening sky.
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• Look in the western sky, shortly after sunset.
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• Mercury’s low position in the autumn evening sky will make it difficult to see, particularly from the UK.
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• Clocks go backward an hour at 2am on the last Sunday this month.
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• At 2am British Summer Time, the clock goes backward to 01:00UT (Universal Times).
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• The timing is favorable because of close approach the comet may reach a brightness that allows visibility with binoculars (e.g. ~ 7×50, 10×50, 15×70 or more to increase your chances) – maybe even the naked eye under dark skies.
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• Look after sunset, toward the northwest horizon, the comet moves into the constellation Bootes and near the bright star Arcturus.
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• The comet is described as having a greenish coma and potentially showing a tail making it visually interesting ~ however it can be unpredictable, actual brightness and tail length can vary and local conditions (horizon, light pollution, weather matter, etc).
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Look out for Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6)

• It is easy to find this evening located the star Izar, after the sunset.
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• Find Izar is a star in the constellation Boötes is home to the bright orange star Arcturus.
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• Comet Lemmon will be positioned about 2 degrees to the left of Izar.
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• It may be bright enough to see without optical aid under dark, light-pollution-free conditions, but binoculars are recommended for the best view.
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• Even if visible to the naked eye, expect to see a fuzzy, white or bluish glow rather than a distinct point of light in the dark location.
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