The Ten Acre Observatory
The weather has given us quite a ride this year going many days without rain during the summer causing drought conditions and an early freeze in October but we were able to squeeze in a few really good viewing nights here and there. The observatory’s public outreach program has kept us pretty busy this year putting on Viewing Events at a number of locations in the OKC Metro Area with the latest being for the 3 Elementary Schools in the Piedmont area plus the Hocusy Pocusy Moon Party in Purcell and TAO’s Annual Halloween Star Party put on in October. We are looking forward to a couple of exciting events for November including a Total Lunar Eclipse and the perineal Leonid Meteor Shower.
Highlights: On the 1st, the Moon reaches first quarter as it passes to the south of Saturn. It then passes to the south of Neptune and Jupiter on the 4th. Full Moon occurs on the 8th as it passes to the north of Uranus. Also, Mercury comes into Superior Conjunction. Uranus is at opposition on the 9th. The Moon passes to the north of Mars on the 11th and then reaches apogee on the 14th at a distance of 251,606 miles. The Moon is at 2nd quarter on the 16th. The Leonid Meteor Shower will peak during the overnight hours of the 17th into the 18th with an expected rate of 10 per hour. New Moon is on the 23rd and it reaches perigee on the 25th at a distance of 225,450miles. The Moon will pass to the south of Saturn for the second time this month on the 28th and will be at first quarter on the 30th. Mars is currently in retrograde and will make its closest approach to Earth on the 30th.
Comets: Comet c/2022 E3 (ZTF) is located between Corona Borealis and Serpens Caput and is expected to shine at approximately mag. 10.
Planetary Report: The Sun si moving from Libra into Scorpius. Mercury is in Scorpius. Venus is moving from Libra thru Scorpius. Mars is in Taurus. Jupiter is in Pisces. Saturn is in Capricorn. Uranus is between Pisces and Taurus. Neptune is in Pisces. And Pluto is still in the eastern reaches of Sagittarius.
Meteors: Sporadic meteors associated with the Leonid Meteor Shower will be visible for most of the month and will peak on the 17th into the 18th. Projected rate: 10/hour.
Planet Visibility: Morning hours: Mars and Uranus. Mid-night hours: Mars, Jupiter, Uranus Neptune and Saturn. Evening hours: Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn and Pluto.
Dark Sky Viewing for November starts on the 12th and continues thru the 26th. Odyssey Astronomy Club viewing sessions are scheduled for the 19th and 26th.
For information about Ten Acre Observatory, the Odyssey Astronomy Club or to schedule an appointment to come out for a visit, contact us at 405-899-4016, message us on Facebook or email us at: orion2c@yahoo.com. A visit to the observatory and the use of our equipment and facilities is always FREE. Visit, Like and Follow us on Facebook.
