Midmonth Check-In: October 2025 and Capitol Reef

                    

  Introduction and Monthly Reminders   

     The first two weeks of October have continued the cool and wet weather trend of the end of September. Although the weather has been pleasant to me, it is obviously not ideal for stargazing. Despite the weather, I was still able to partially view Venus, Jupiter, and Orion nearly every morning. Saturn and the Moon were also easy targets in the evening sky. I would like another opportunity for telescope use and imaging sessions before the cold settles in!

    The remainder of October will bring a planetary conjunction between Mars and Mercury on the 21st and the return of the Orionid Meteor Shower on the same day. There are also a couple of visible comets, and since comets are so unpredictable, they may even become visible to the naked eye during the next few weeks. The first is Comet SWAN, which can be found near Ophiuchus next to the southern Milky Way Band after sunset. Comet SWAN will travel eastward every night and end the month in Aquarius. This comet will grow fainter as it travels eastward, away from the Sun, and will require binoculars to view. 

    Comet Lemmon can be viewed in the northern sky near Ursa Major after sunset on the 15th, but it will travel westward every day and end the month in Serpens. As the night progresses, Comet Lemmon will dip below the horizon, but will return before sunrise for another chance to be viewed. Comet Lemmon will brighten as the end of the month nears, but currently requires binoculars or a telescope to see. Both comets can be captured on camera with a long exposure image.    

Capitol Reef Experience 

      My recent trip to Capitol Reef National Park was fantastic, and I highly recommend it for stargazing, astrophotography, hiking, camping, and even a quick getaway. Although my trip was plagued with clouds and rain every day, it was still a spectacular experience. For those who don't know, Capitol Reef is located in southeastern Utah and shares the red rock color of Zion's National Park, Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks, and many other state and national parks in central and southern Utah. The red rocks and vast landscape of this region attract millions of visitors every year. 

    This was my first trip to Capitol Reef, and I hope it will be the first of many. I was fortunate enough to enjoy the red color in both direct sunlight and stormy weather, each offering its own uniqueness. We arrived on a cloudy Thursday afternoon, which turned to rain just as we climbed into our tent for the night. The sound of the rain on the tent made it easy to fall asleep. 

    The next morning, almost the entire group we were with went on a water hike. Water shoes were recommended, but it's easy to do without them. The clouds came and went through most of the hike, with rain holding off until we returned to the cars. After this hike, we went on another hike to view some petroglyphs. 

Capitol Reef Water Hike

                

Capitol Reef Water Hike with Storm Clouds

Petroglyphs at Capitol Reef

    That night, we were able to set up the smart telescope and were persistently requested to do so to see what we could view. It was windy all night, and I was hesitant to set up the scope, but Friday night turned out to be the only cloud-free night we would get during the trip. Everyone was pleased with the images and ecstatic that I set up the scope. We viewed Albireo, a double star, but unfortunately, the two stars were too close together for the smart telescope to resolve. I then switched to M31, but unfortunately, the wind prevented a clear image of our neighboring galaxy. Fortunately, these were the only two objects that I was unable to image. We didn't look at many objects, but let the telescope take several images over a long period of time to enhance the view of each target. I must preface that these images could have been better if it were not for guests shining lights around the equipment, but here are the best images. 

M13, the Hercules Cluster

NGC281, the Pacman Nebula

M57, the Ring Nebula

M27, the Dumbbell Nebula

. In addition to capturing these unedited images with my smart telescope, I captured the following with my smartphone.

Stars and Trees

Andromeda, Meteors, and Aircraft

    Saturday was our last day in Capitol Reef. We went on a hike to the Hickman Natural Bridge, seen below, and a lovely drive along the recently reopened Scenic Drive Road in the rain.

Hickman Natural Bridge

    Saturday night brought in another thunderstorm, but I was able to capture a few more images with my phone.

Southern Milky Way Band with Moonglow

 

Northern Milky Way Band and Andromeda

    We left early Sunday morning to visit Bryce Canyon. Despite the cold temperatures and rain, this park was crowded! The crowds and fog prevented us from seeing much of the park, so I am anxious to revisit this place. Below are a few of the pictures I took.

Fog on the Drive to Bryce Canyon

Scenic View

Hoodoos at Bryce Canyon

    I hope these pictures are appreciated and inspire my readers to visit these and other national parks to enjoy the night sky and their beauty. Pictures can't do the views justice. 

    

Now get outside and look up!

   

Monthly Night Sky Report: October 2025

               Introduction

   September was a decent month for stargazing. There were a few cloudy and rainy days, but overall, the skies were clear and the temperatures were pleasant. I had the opportunity to visit Capitol Reef National Park over the last weekend of September. This park has earned Dark Sky Place Certification from the International Dark-Sky Association and is an excellent destination for stargazing. Unfortunately, it rained or was otherwise cloudy every day we were there except for one evening. The stars were numberless, and the Milky Way was bright and easy to see. I imaged the Dumbbell Nebula, Pacman Nebula, the Hercules Cluster, and the Andromeda Galaxy with my smart telescope. I also captured a few astrophotos with my smartphone, all of which I will share at a future date. We also made a quick visit to Bryce Canyon National Park, which has also earned its Dark Sky Place Certification. It was raining all day at Bryce Canyon, and we didn't spend the night, so I cannot give my opinion on the dark sky quality, although it is rated as a Class 1 dark sky on the Bortle Scale, like Capitol Reef. 

    The temperatures during October will continue to drop, and the nighttime hours will increase. The Orionid Meteor Shower will peak this month. Jupiter will continue to rise earlier, and Saturn will remain an excellent target for telescope views. Mercury and Mars will appear close together this month as they plunge below the horizon shortly after sunset.

                      

Mercury

    Mercury will be close to the western horizon this month. Due to its low altitude, the innermost planet will be a challenge to spot. A high elevation, such as the top of a mountain, and a clear western view will be required. Mars will be nearby throughout October, with a conjunction occurring on the 19th. Mercury will reach its greatest eastern elongation on the 29th, being approximately 25° from the Sun, but still hugging the horizon. A thin Crescent Moon joins Mercury and Mars on the 23rd. 

  

Venus

   Due to its brilliance, Venus will be easy to see in the morning hours during October. It begins the month mingling with the stars of Leo but will quickly pass into Virgo. This transition will occur on the 9th. A thin Crescent Moon will join this bright planet on the 19th.  

    

Mars

    

    Mars will be hard to spot during October as it lies close to the horizon. Like Mercury, a high elevation and a clear westerly view will help spot this planet. Mars and Mercury will reach conjunction on the 19th with only 2° of separation. A thin Crescent Moon can be found close by on the 23rd. Mars is nearing its solar conjunction and will likely be lost from view for Utahns for the next few months. Observers should look for the Red Planet while it’s still visible!

       

Jupiter

Saturn

    Like Venus, Jupiter will be easy to see as soon as it clears any obstructions along the eastern horizon. At the beginning of October, this gas giant will rise close to 1:00 AM. By the end of the month, this world will be above the horizon before midnight. Like Saturn, Jupiter is a thrill to view through a telescope, revealing the Galilean Moons and the dark cloud bands that span the planet. Several Galilean moon transits will be visible during October. I encourage interested observers to use the Moons of Jupiter and Saturn app for Android or Gas Giants for iOS devices to determine when these transits occur at their location. Both of these apps are free. If an observer is interested in a paid and more comprehensive app, I recommend Stellarium Plus for both Android and iOS, as well as Sky Safari Pro for iOS. The Earth's own Moon will pass close by Jupiter on the 16th this month.  

    Saturn reached opposition on September 21st and will remain an excellent target for telescope observers during October. Although the rings are not at their best for Earthly views, they will still be visible and will likely excite any observer. Several Saturnian moon transits are visible this month. The apps mentioned above will also give observers additional resources for Saturn.  The Earth’s own Moon will pass close by on the 6th.

       

Neptune

Uranus

    

   Uranus will continue to be found in Taurus the Bull throughout October. This world will require binoculars or a telescope to view. It can be found just below the Pleiades, which can be used as a guide for locating this dim planet. The Hyades can be found below Uranus. The Moon passes close by on the 10th.     

  Neptune will continue to follow Saturn through the sky during October. The pair is only 3° apart, but this distance will increase to 4°, from our Earthly view, by the end of the month. Use Saturn as a guide to find this distant planet. A pair of binoculars or a telescope will be needed to see this dim world. The Full Moon will pass close to Neptune on the 6th.

Orionid Meteor Shower

    October brings the return of the Orionid Meteor Shower. This shower will peak on the 21st, under a Moon-free sky! Although this isn’t the best meteor shower of the year, the Moon-free sky will allow observers to see as many meteors as possible while in an area free of light pollution. Observers can expect to see approximately 20 meteors per hour on the peak date. These meteors will appear to radiate from Orion, as the name suggests. A zero-gravity chair or something similar will allow an individual to see more of these fast, bright meteors as they streak across the sky. The Orionids are active from October 2nd through November 7th.

Monthly Breakdown

October 05: Moon passes within 4° of Saturn
October 06: Moon passes within 3° of Neptune
October 06: Full Moon 🌕
October 10: Moon passes within 5° of Uranus
October 13: Moon passes within 4° of Jupiter 
October 13: Last Quarter Moon🌗 
October 19: Moon passes within 4° of Venus
October 21: Mercury and Mars conjunction
October 21: Orionid Meteor Shower peaks 
October 21: New Moon 🌑
October 23: Moon passes within 5° of Mars 
October 23: Moon passes within 2° of Mercury
October 29: Mercury reaches its greatest eastern elongation

October 29: First Quarter Moon 🌓 

 

         

Now get outside and look up!

Planet images were taken by NASA.

Andrew vs. the Cosmos image was taken by Jeff Greenland.

The Milky Way and Trees image was taken by Andrew Greenland.

Orion, Taurus, and Pleiades image was taken by Andrew Greenland.

                

                

Midmonth Check-In: September 2025 and the Bortle Scale

                   

  Introduction and Monthly Reminders   

     September has started off decently for stargazers. The evening temperatures have been slightly cooler, making it more enjoyable to be outdoors. I have enjoyed seeking out Jupiter and Venus in the morning just before sunrise. I've also been able to spot the bright stars of Orion at the same time, although these are harder to pick out against the brightening sky. I have also enjoyed spotting Saturn as it rises above the mountains after sunset. While I haven't taken out my large telescope yet this month, I have taken out my smart telescope to capture a few images of the Sun. I have also purchased a new telescope, a refractor on an equatorial mount as opposed to my dobsonian, which is a reflector, that I have been getting acquainted with and learning to use. I will write a "First Light" post once I've actually used it!

    The second half of September should be the most exciting half of the month. Saturn and Neptune will reach opposition on the 21st and 23rd, respectively. The New Moon phase will occur on the 21st, making it the best time of the month to view faint DSOs. During the New Moon, the best time to see the Zodiacal Light is shortly before sunrise. I am most looking forward to a camping trip at the end of the month to Capitol Reef. This site will have pristine dark skies that I hope to take advantage of, weather permitting. I will be taking my camera gear and smart telescope. I would like to take my new telescope, but I likely will not have room for it.  

The Bortle Scale 

      I often discuss the importance of dark skies and minimizing light pollution for the best views of the night sky. This coincides with the darkness of the night sky and the Bortle Scale for a particular location. I thought now would be a great time to discuss the Bortle Scale. The Bortle Scale is a way to measure the brightness, or quality, of the night sky. There are nine different levels, or classes, of the Bortle Scale, with nine being the most light-polluted sky and one having the least amount of light pollution. A light pollution map will use the Bortle Scale to show the user the quality of the night sky for a particular location. When looking for a dark sky site, I use this Light Pollution Map. There are mobile apps available, but I prefer being able to look at the map on a larger screen so I can see more area at once. 

    When viewing this map, it shows regions in white, pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, gray, and black. Class 9 skies (white) are the brightest and have the most light pollution. These regions are found in the center of large cities, and only the brightest night sky objects can be seen, like the Moon, Venus, and maybe Jupiter. Most, if not all, other stars are lost in the skyglow. A Class 8 sky (pink) from a smaller city fares a bit better. The most well-known constellations can be seen, such as the Big Dipper and Orion. Only the brightest Messier objects can be seen with a modestly sized telescope.

    Moving outside of the city center, observers will find themselves in a Class 7 region (red) where the sky will have a grayish glow. A few more stars will be visible, and the Pleiades will become visible to the unaided eye. More Messier objects can be seen through a telescope, but they will not show much detail. Clouds in the sky are brightly lit and easy to see as they reflect the city lights. A Class 6 sky (orange) is a bright suburban sky, improving as the Milky Way Band becomes visible when looking towards the zenith. Clouds still reflect much of the city lights, making them appear whitish gray and easy to see. 

     As an observer transitions to the outer suburban sky, they will find themselves in a Class 5 (yellow) area. Here, the Zodiacal Light can be seen only on clear, stable nights. The Milky Way can be seen, but it is very faint and may not be detectable near the horizon. The clouds also remain much brighter than the sky itself. Approximately 20 miles from the city center of Salt Lake City, an observer will reach Class 4 skies (green) where pillars of light pollution can still be seen when looking towards the city. Clouds towards the city will still be brightly illuminated. The Zodiacal Light is visible near the opposite horizon of the city, and the Milky Way Band begins to take shape. This is the Bortle Class when observers get excited about being able to see the Milky Way. 

    Traveling about 70 miles west of Salt Lake City, an observer will reach a Class 3 sky (blue), which is where I like to travel with my telescope and camera gear. This is a rural area with little light pollution along the horizon. The Milky Way is easily visible and begins to show some structure. The Zodiacal Light can be seen with the unaided eye, but a long exposure image will really bring out the detail. Several Messier objects can be seen with the unaided eye, and clouds are slightly illuminated by city lights. 

    When visiting a dark sky certified city, an observer can expect to find a Class 3 or Class 2 (gray) sky. Here, the Milky Way is bright and casts shadows on the ground. Clouds are only detectable by looking for areas of the sky where stars are blocked from view. The constellations are more challenging to find due to the number of stars in the sky. The Zodiacal Light also casts weak shadows. Several more Messier objects become visible with the unaided eye. The "Holy Grail" of the Bortle Scale is Class 1 skies (black). These skies are similar to Class 2, with the notable differences that more stars are visible, more Messier objects can be seen with the unaided eye, the shadows produced by the Milky Way are more pronounced, and the Zodiacal Band, Zodiacal Light, and Gegenschein Band are visible. Viewing Jupiter or Venus appears very bright and will ruin dark-adapted eyes. Several background meteors can be seen per hour, and satellites orbiting above are easy to see, even the faint ones. 

    A darker sky allows for more detail when viewing objects through a telescope or a pair of binoculars, and it also provides observers with more opportunities to view objects. I strongly encourage my readers to grab a chair or blanket and travel to a Class 1 region and enjoy what the night sky has to offer, no telescope required!              

    

Now get outside and look up!

   

Monthly Night Sky Report: September 2025

              Introduction

   Overall, August was hot but did present quite a few cloud-free nights for stargazing. I was able to host a small star party and view many of my favorite night sky objects, as well as a few new targets. I traveled to Fish Lake, Utah, during the New Moon phase in August and brought along my camera gear and smart telescope. Fish Lake has a Bortle Class 2 rating, indicating minimal light pollution. I visited Fish Lake in 2024 and was able to capture some great night sky images, so I planned to repeat the experience this year. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans. It rained every day, and there was 90% cloud cover at night. I was disappointed, but the cooler weather and rain (which I enjoy, just not for astronomy reasons!) were a lovely change from the heat. 

    September should bring cooler temperatures for Utah, but also an increase in cloud cover and storms. As mentioned above, I do enjoy the stormy weather, but for stargazing, it can be frustrating. This year in September, Saturn and Neptune will reach opposition, making it the best time of year to view these planets. A Total Lunar Eclipse will occur for millions of people around the world, just not for those in the continental United States. There will not be a major meteor shower this month, but the Zodiacal Light will be visible before sunrise. I have another trip planned for the end of the month to visit a Bortle Class 1 region, which is virtually devoid of light pollution. I plan to take my camera gear and smart telescope again. Hopefully the weather cooperates! 

                      

Mercury

    Since Mercury lies close to the Sun, it is usually a challenge to spot in the early morning or early evening sky. September will not be an exception. The best chance will come during the first days of the month when Mercury can be found close to Regulus in the morning sky. This tiny world will shine brightly at magnitude -1.2 on the 1st, but will be low on the eastern horizon. Mercury will move closer to the Sun until it reaches superior conjunction with our star on the 13th. Mercury will be lost from view for the remainder of September.

  

Venus

   Venus will remain an easy object to spot in the morning sky throughout September. During the first few days of the month, while Mercury is close to Regulus, Venus can be found close to the Beehive Cluster. A pair of binoculars or a low-power eyepiece in a telescope will be needed to view the Beehive Cluster. Perhaps Venus feels jealous and approaches Regulus until the 19th, when the pair can be found close together. A thin Crescent Moon can be found less than a degree away from this pair on the 19th. Venus will quickly move away from Regulus as it continues its eastward trek across the sky.  

    

Mars

    

    Mars is still hanging around in the western sky after sunset. The Red Planet sinks quickly with the constellation of Virgo after sunset. Spica, the brightest object in Virgo, can be found close to Mars on the 11th.   

       

Jupiter

Saturn

    Jupiter rises with Orion and the northern, much fainter, Milky Way Band. Betelgeuse and Jupiter will frame this region of the Milky Way, making it easier for those trying to spot it. Jupiter doesn't rise until around 4:00 a.m. for Utahns as the month begins. However, by the end of the month, Jupiter will rise about two hours earlier. Several Galilean moon transits will be visible during September. I encourage interested observers to use the Moons of Jupiter and Saturn app for Android or Gas Giants for iOS devices to determine when these transits occur at their location. Both of these apps are free. If an observer is interested in a paid and more comprehensive app, I highly recommend Stellarium Plus for both Android and iOS, as well as Sky Safari Pro for iOS. The Earth's own Moon will pass close by Jupiter on the 16th this month.  

    While all of the planets are favorite views of most astronomers, observers should pay particular attention to Saturn during September. The Ringed Planet will be at its best in 2025 this month as it reaches opposition on the 21st. This means Saturn will rise in the east as the Sun sinks below the horizon. The reflected sunlight from Saturn will help observers view more detailed planetary features, such as the various shades of the cloud bands and the numerous rings of Saturn. Unfortunately, the tilt of the rings isn't at its best this year, but it will improve in the coming months. Several Saturnian moon transits are visible this month. The apps mentioned above will also give observers additional resources for Saturn.  The Earth's Full Moon will pass close by on the 8th.          

       

Neptune

Uranus

    

    Uranus will continue riding on the back of Taurus during September. This planet will be harder to find in the night sky due to its dimness and the absence of easy guideposts to locate it. Uranus can be found between the Pleiades and the Hyades. The Hyades contains Aldebaran, the bright red star that represents the angry eye of Taurus. The Moon passes close by on the 12th.     

  Neptune will remain close to Saturn during September and will reach opposition on the 23rd, just two days after the Ringed Planet. A pair of binoculars or a telescope will be needed to see this dim world. The Full Moon will pass close to Neptune on the 8th. 

Return of the Zodiacal Light

   The Autumnal Equinox occurs on the 22nd of September this year. With no major meteor showers during the month, observers should turn their attention to the morning sky for the chance to view the Zodiacal Light. The best time to view this light is during the evening hours of March and the early morning hours in September. During this time of the year, an observer should find a sky free of all forms of light pollution, including the Moon, and a clear, unobstructed view of the eastern horizon. The Zodiacal Light will appear as a cone, think of a traffic cone, extending upwards from Leo the Lion through Cancer and terminating in Gemini, where Jupiter can be found. The second half of September will be the best time to view the Zodiacal Light this month because of the Moon's phase. During this time of the month, Leo will begin to climb above the eastern horizon at 4:30 in the morning with brilliant Venus. I will attempt to capture the Zodiacal Light during my camping trip at the end of the month.

Monthly Breakdown

September 07: Full Moon 🌕

September 08: Moon passes within 3° of Neptune

September 08: Moon passes within 4° of Saturn 

September 12: Moon passes within 5° of Uranus

September 13: Mercury reaches Superior Conjunction 

September 14: Last Quarter Moon🌗 

September 16: Moon passes within 5° of Jupiter

September 19: Moon passes within 1° of Venus

September 19: Moon, Venus, and Regulus within 2°

September 21: New Moon 🌑

September 21: Saturn reaches opposition 

September 22: Autumnal Equinox

September 23: Neptune reaches opposition

September 24: Moon passes within 4° of Mars 

September 29: First Quarter Moon 🌓 

 

         

Now get outside and look up!

Planet images were taken by NASA.

Andrew vs. the Cosmos image was taken by Jeff Greenland.

The Milky Way and Trees image was taken by Andrew Greenland.

Orion, Taurus, and Pleiades image was taken by Andrew Greenland.

                

                

Midmonth Check-In: August 2025 and My August Star Party

                  

  Introduction and Monthly Reminders   

       So far, August has been a pleasant month for stargazing and other outdoor activities. The highlight thus far for me was having a small star party during the first weekend of the month. More on this below! As always, I enjoyed watching the Moon as it became fuller during the first couple of weeks of August. I was also able to see a few Perseid Meteors before the peak date. I'm hoping to see more as the Moon phase moves towards New Moon. 

    I have a short weekend trip planned during the second half of the month and hope for clear skies to do some astrophotography. I should still catch some of the Perseids and other meteors under Moon- and light-pollution-free skies. The planets, stars, and Milky Way should be amazing! Now is a great time to view the planets, with all of them visible beginning with Mars in the evening sky and spanning the night, as Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter rise before the Sun.  

August Star Party 

      As mentioned, I hosted a small star party on the first weekend of August. I didn't get a complete count, but there were between 10 and 12 people present, including myself. I started the night off as I always do, setting up the telescope early, just before sunset, and letting it acclimate for approximately 30 minutes. After collimating the scope and aligning the finder scope, I completed a two-star alignment with Antares and Polaris. 

    After completing my setup and alignment, I slewed the telescope to the First Quarter Moon. This target always impresses first-timers and seasoned observers. It was likely the first time for most of my guests to look through a telescope. Following the Moon, I guided the scope to Mizar, a double star in the handle of the Big Dipper. Again, most guests were awed by this target. After everyone had had their fill, I moved to one of my favorite globular clusters, M13, the Hercules Cluster. Although it was not at its best, due to light pollution and an unstable atmosphere, it did not disappoint me or the other observers that night. After this target, my scope began having issues locating and centering objects in the field of view. I had to realign it, which improved this capability a bit. I believe the biggest problem was that the scope was not quite level. 

    We continued the night by looking at Epsilon Lyrae, also known as Double Double, which features two sets of double stars within its field of view. This was my first time observing this target, and I was pretty impressed. After the Double Double, I attempted to observe M57 (Ring Nebula), but again encountered telescope issues and was unable to acquire this target at the time. I moved to another double star, Alberio, which has one yellow star and one blue-white star. I've always enjoyed this example of a double star due to the high contrast. I then attempted M27 (Dumbbell Nebula), but, like M57, I was unable to acquire this target. I slewed to the Double Cluster in Perseus and Caldwell 13 (Owl Cluster), with most of the guests again being delighted. One guest in particular kept seeing shooting stars through the field of view, especially when targeting the Double Cluster in Perseus. By this point, most of the guests had left, and one had fallen asleep. One guest was very excited to see Saturn, so when it finally rose above the mountains shortly after midnight, I centered Saturn in the eyepiece.

    I was immediately disappointed by the view due to its low altitude, unstable atmosphere, and a slight breeze. The remaining guests looked through the scope and were impressed. Shortly after viewing Saturn, they thanked us for a good night and left. I completed another two-star alignment and slewed to M57 successfully, this time. I then went back to M27 and was again able to locate and center this target successfully. After viewing a few of the previous targets for about 45 minutes, the guest, who had really wanted to see Saturn, returned for more observations. Saturn was higher in the sky by this time, and the view improved a bit, leaving the guest exhilarated by being able to view Saturn and its rings for the first time. The guest left very satisfied with the evening's views. I may try to organize another star party for the end of August or the beginning of September, depending on the weather and plans.

    I plan to take my small telescope and camera along on my mid-August weekend trip to a dark sky. I hope to come back with many images to share.

    

Now get outside and look up!