A comet called C/2023 A3 will still be visible in the night sky this week for several hours after sunset. Look in the southwest, far above and to the right of Venus. Using binoculars greatly helps spot the comet.
Keep an eye out for Venus, which is shining brightly on the southwestern horizon setting around twilight’s end. Venus is now hovering close to the horizon, but it is now climbing higher each night. Around 40 minutes after sunset, look for Venus and a bright red star, Antares, the scorpion’s heart. Venus will be a dazzling orange light close to the horizon due to our atmosphere’s light refraction.
Saturn can be found high above the southern horizon after dark. It shines in the south around midnight. If you have a small telescope, you might glimpse its famous rings. Don’t wait too long, though—soon, the rings will be edge-on and might seem to vanish for a bit. Saturn is the brightest object in the area, so it is easy to identify below and right of the Great Square of Pegasus.
Jupiter is rising around 9:00 PM, shining as the fourth brightest object in our sky. Look for it between the horns of Taurus the Bull. During dawn, the planet is overhead toward the south, being one of the last night objects to fade during sunrise.
Mars is in the constellation Gemini rising shortly before midnight. It is close to two bright stars in Gemini called Caster and Pollux forming a semi-straight line. During the rest of the year, the red planet will brighten as it comes closer to Earth in its orbit.
The Great Square of Pegasus is now overhead. In Greek mythology, Pegasus is the winged horse, born from Medusa’s blood when she was slain by Perseus. It is associated with heroism and legend and is often depicted flying through the heavens.
While you look at Pegasus, notice a bright star to the south of the constellation called Fomalhaut. Fomalhaut is also called the loneliest star because is the only bright star in a wide stretch of sky. Sometimes call it the Autumn Star. From the Southern Hemisphere, you’ll look higher up to see Fomalhaut in your season of spring. In 2024, Fomalhaut isn’t so solitary, though! A bright planet, Saturn, appears near it in the sky. Of course, Fomalhaut will be the one that’s twinkling since Saturn will shine with a steady light.
Enjoy this cosmic spectacle throughout the week of November 1!