Mercury can be seen very low in the southwestern sky after sunset in the constellation Libra (the Scales). Mercury reaches its highest point in the western sky on October 16th when it reaches its greatest eastern elongation (maximum angular separation) of 25 degrees from the sun. Mercury can be seen near Jupiter all month. Mercury looks like a small white star.

Venus can’t be seen this month as it reaches superior conjunction, passing behind the sun as seen from Earth on October 27th. Venus will reappear in the evening sky by the end of the year. Venus looks like a very bright white star.

Mars cannot be seen as it reaches conjunction, passing behind the sun as seen from Earth on October 23rd. Mars will return to the morning sky in a couple of months. Mars looks like a ruddy-colored star.

Jupiter can be seen low in the southwestern sky after sunset in the constellation Libra (the Scales). Jupiter is very bright, the brightest evening planet. Jupiter will disappear in the sun’s glare by the end of October. Jupiter is not good for viewing this month. Jupiter looks like a bright, yellow-colored star.

Saturn can be seen rising in the eastern sky about 3:00 a.m. in the constellation Leo (the Lion) near the bright star Regulus (the Heart of the Lion) or the tip of the backward question mark. Saturn appears higher in the sky every night and rises around midnight by the end of October. Saturn and its rings are great to view this month. Saturn looks like a bright amber-colored star.