Today:
Lowering into the west-northwest this evening, the pale orange star Arcturus, sets just before 8:00 PM. However, our second brightest star is not done. Early tomorrow morning, Arcturus climbs back into the east-northeast starting at 5:10, though much easier to find an hour and a half later, at which point you can also catch the much brighter Venus, well to its right, appearing lower each morning, eventually lost in the Sun’s glare later in November.
Thursday:
As Hallowe’en approaches, look for the star Algol, the “ghoul” that marks the head of the hideous monster Medusa, a great Hallowe’en costume! Look northeast at 7:30 PM , where the brightest star in Perseus, Mirfak appears (not to be mistaken for the brighter Capella below). To the right of Mirfak, a little lower, shines the spooky Algol.
Friday:
Hallowe’en’s connection to astronomy comes from its position on the calendar, halfway between the Autumnal Equinox and the Winter Solstice. This mid-point, known as a “cross-quarter day”, began the “dark” half of the year for Celtic people, ending on another season’s mid-point, May 1st, or May Day.