Night sky in October 2026

What to see in the night sky in October 2026: Moon phases, the darkest nights for the Milky Way, planets, meteor showers and other events, with dates and times.

• 5 Oct

  Saturn at opposition 2026

  Saturn is opposite the Sun: up all night, at its closest and brightest (magnitude 0.3) in Cetus.

• 5 Oct

  The Moon meets Mars, 5 October 2026

  The Moon passes 1.1° from Mars — a pretty pair for the naked eye and the camera.

• 6 Oct

  The Moon meets Jupiter, 6 October 2026

  The Moon passes 0.2° from Jupiter — a pretty pair for the naked eye and the camera.

• 8 Oct

  Draconids meteor shower 2026

  Peak night, up to 10 meteors an hour under a dark sky. The Moon is almost out of the way — a good year.

• 12 Oct

  Mercury at greatest eastern elongation, 12 October 2026

  Mercury is 25.2° from the Sun — the best time to find it low in the west after sunset.

• 21 Oct

  Orionids meteor shower 2026

  Peak night, up to 20 meteors an hour under a dark sky. A bright Moon (73%) washes out faint meteors; only the brightest will show.

Check the clouds for that night