THIS MONTH’S PLANETS
As the Red Planet dips below the horizon, observers can turn their attention to Saturn, a breeze to find through October and November
PLANET OF THE MONTH
Even though it’s not the brightest planet in the sky, and never rises particularly high, Saturn will be well placed for observation and very easy to find. It will be a very easy naked-eye object this month, brighter than many of the stars in the sky. But its position in the zodiacal constellation of Capricornus means it will never reach a very high elevation, and might be hidden by tall buildings, trees or hills that are on your southern horizon.
All through the month – and for some time to come – Saturn will be found to the right of Jupiter. It’s easy to tell the two apart: Jupiter is a vivid, blue-white spark, while Saturn is much fainter and less striking, and also has a warmer, more golden hue than brash Jupiter.