Derekscope

Algol
(bright variable Star Beta Persei)

• The bright variable Star Beta Persei (Algol) reaches minimum brightness.
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• This variable star in Perseus varies from its brightest at magnitude +2.1, dropping to +3.4.
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• Even when dimmed, Algol is still visible to the naked eye.
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• Read more – Algol
  – How to find Algol in Perseus?
  – Deaf astronomer John Goodricke
  

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Moon near the Beehive Cluster

• Messier 44 (The Beehive Cluster) is one of the most famous deep-sky objects.
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• The moon and cluster will be visible low in the east-northeastern sky just before sunrise, though binoculars will greatly help to spot the faint Beehive.
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To observe Jupiter and the Moon together

• Jupiter is a large and bright planet, so you can find it by looking to the right of the crescent Moon.
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• Jupiter will be visible next to the Last Quarter Moon from just before midnight until sunrise.
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• Even without any equipment, you can see both the Moon and the planet Jupiter with your naked eyes.
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• With binoculars, you can see Jovian systems (Jupiter’s moons) but they will appear as tiny, star-like points of light, and you may only see some of the four largest moons, the Galilean moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede & Callisto).
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To observe Saturn’s moon – Titan
(Be preparing yourself at 23:45pm)

• You can see Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, with a telescope or powerful binocular, will appear as a small, orangish point of light near Saturn.
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• You may see Titan disappear behind the Saturn – be preparing yourself from 23:45 / 11.45pm just before midnight on 13th October, Titan will disappear around 00:12am behind the Saturn on the early morning of 14th October.
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The Moon & M45 (Seven Sisters)

• A close approach between the Moon and the M45 (Pleiades) star cluster on Friday 10th early morning but the Moon’s glare will make it difficult to see the cluster with the naked eye.
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• Though binoculars or a telescope should reveal the brightest stars of the cluster.
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• The Moon will appear less than one degree away from the Pleiades and will be 87% illuminated, appearing as a waning gibbous moon.
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The Moon & M45 (Seven Sisters)

• A close approach between the Moon and the M45 (Pleiades) star cluster on Friday 10th early morning but the Moon’s glare will make it difficult to see the cluster with the naked eye.
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• Though binoculars or a telescope should reveal the brightest stars of the cluster.
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• The Moon will appear less than one degree away from the Pleiades and will be 87% illuminated, appearing as a waning gibbous moon.
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A path of Comet ~ C/2004 E1 (Wierzchos)

• Comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) is in the constellation of Hercules, at a distance of 358 million kilometers / 223 million miles from Earth on the 9th of October.
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• To “star hop” and find Comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos), use a stargazing app or chart to locate it, and be prepared to use binoculars or a telescope for a better view, as it is currently faint at around magnitude +12. 
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• Find the comet’s location, which is currently near the star – Gamma (y) Herculis.
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• Consider astrophotography – due to its faintness, astrophotography with longer exposure times is an excellent method for detecting and capturing the comet, even if it’s difficult to see visually.
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The Moon at perigee

• The Moon will reach perigee, its closest point to Earth, at 13:27 BST today.
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• This October Harvest Moon is the first and largest supermoon of the year, appearing as the biggest and brightest full Moon of 2025
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Rising supermoon

• A supermoon is a full moon that occurs when the Moon is at or near its closest point to Earth in its orbit called perigee.
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• This makes the Moon appear larger and brighter than usual in the night sky.
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• We will have three supermoons in a row ~ October brings us the first year’s supermoon then we will see one again in both November and December this year.
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• Good opportunity for photography!
  If you’re capturing the rising supermoon for between 6:15pm & 6.30pm to catch the Moon just as it clears the horizon ~ including foreground elements like trees or buildings can enhance the scale and drama.
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NGC 2420 (Open Cluster) & Jupiter (1am – 5am)

• Jupiter and “Twinkling Comet Cluster” – NGC2420 are located the constellation Gemini (The Twin).
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