Five night sky events to look out for this autumn

Autumn signals longer nights in the northern hemisphere, providing more chances to observe the night sky. An array of celestial events are expected, ranging from spectacular meteor showers to striking star clusters. The festivities commence with the Pleiades, emerging as autumn nights draw closer. Subsequently, the Orionid meteor shower graces the late October skies, followed by a planetary parade, the Leonid meteor shower, and a supermoon in November.

As the nights grow longer throughout autumn, the Pleiades, or Seven Sisters, become progressively noticeable. This star cluster, composed of young stars roughly 440 light years away, contains around six stars visible to the naked eye under suitable conditions. Look eastward during autumn evenings to locate the Pleiades in the Taurus constellation.

From early October to November, the Orionid meteor shower is active, peaking around October 21. Every two years, Earth crosses the paths of Halley's Comet, leaving behind a trail of dust and debris. As these minute particles enter Earth's atmosphere at high velocity, they ignite, generating streaks of light we perceive as meteors.

The Orionids seem to emanate from Orion, giving the shower its name. For the most favorable viewing experience, seek a dark location away from artificial lights and grant your eyes sufficient time to adjust. Early morning risers might be treated to a gathering of Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter around November 14. All four planets will be above the horizon before dawn, albeit some may be more conspicuous than others.

Mercury will prove especially challenging due to its proximity to the rising sun and low altitude. Venus and Jupiter, on the other hand, are among the brightest celestial bodies, making them easier to locate. Another meteor shower arrives later in November, with the Leonids expected to peak around November 17. The Leonids travel at about 70 kilometers per second as they enter Earth's atmosphere, making them among the swiftest meteors observable from Earth.

Under optimal, dark sky conditions, approximately 10 to 15 Leonids per hour may be visible at the shower's zenith. The Leonids are named after the constellation Leo, from which the meteors seem to emanate. The best viewing time is typically after midnight and before dawn, when Leo is higher in the sky. November's full moon, the Beaver Moon, is a supermoon, appearing slightly larger and brighter as it is relatively close to Earth.

This full moon also heralds a series of four subsequent supermoons through February 2027. To maximize your autumn skywatching, verify the weather beforehand using the BBC Weather app or online.