WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Astro Minute: Early Bird Special

Episode Date: October 16, 2024

If you're up early this month, you can spot a giant asterism and two planets. Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

Welcome to the Astro Minute, where we're exploring the universe 60 seconds at a time. I'm Lauren Smith, and today we've got an early bird special. This October, early risers can see the heavenly G overhead in pre-dawn skies, and with it, two planets. To trace this huge asterism, start at the fuzzy Pleiades, circle left to bright Capella in Origa, then continue left to the twin stars, Castor and Pollux in Gemini. Continue around to bright Procyon in Canis Minor and then to Brilliant Sirius in Canis Major. Next, circle around to blue Rigel in Orion's left knee, then up to orange aldebaron in the V of Taurus. Finally, cut left to red Betelgeese in Orion's right shoulder.

That's your G. You'll find reddish Mars near the twin stars, Pollux and Castor. Jupiter is also within the G, the brightest object there, other than the moon. That's your Astro Minute. Thank you.