Sky Guide October 2024
“Some may be familiar with the expression that ‘comets are as predictable as cats!" We can have high expectations but more often than not, these are not met. Nonetheless, when we hear the news of an approaching comet our interest in the sky races to a crescendo, not for moment remembering the disappointments of most but the excitement of the few. This October, Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) will emerge from behind the Sun early in the month and possibly light up the western twilight sky ... or not. See details about this event at the bottom of this page.
Don’t forget Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), or Daylight Savings, starts at 2 am on Sunday 6 October in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Norfolk Island. Put your clocks forward one hour. If you rely on a smartphone the adjustment is automatic.’”
Dr Andrew Jacob, curator and astronomer, Sydney Observatory
Moon Phases
New Moon Thursday 3 October 4:49 am AEST
First quarter Friday 11 October 5:55 am AEDT
Full Moon Thursday 17 October 10:26 pm AEDT*
Last quarter Thursday 24 October 7:03 pm AEDT
Supermoon 17 October
The Moon has an oval, or elliptical, path varying in distance from Earth. At its closest to Earth, it is at perigee; at its farthest it is at apogee. When the full Moon is almost at perigee, it appears a little larger than usual. This has recently become known as a supermoon. Here, we define a supermoon as when the full Moon is within 24 hours of perigee. There are two supermoons in 2024, the first was on 18 September and the second on 17 October.
