SKYWATCH: October 2021
By Phillip Virden: Lake City, Colorado Amateur Astronomer, Cooperative Observer for 30+ years for National Weather Service, Dark Sky Coordinator for Lake Fork Valley Conservancy
(September 27th Photo by Kate Hopson)
““Autumn waits…the wind blows the mind…leaves falling softly” ”
We are now in full “autumn mode.” After a spectacular aspen color display in September, it is the golden cottonwood trees turn in October. It is a wonderful time of the year in Lake City just to take a stroll through town and enjoy the cottonwood canopy of gold. The fallen aspen leaves on the ground add a spectacular carpet of reds, yellows, and other creamy tints. And, as Kate’s photo shows, snow on the high mountain peaks add the “icing on the cake” for a spectacular September show. So, grab your favorite beverage (hot apple cider perhaps?) and enjoy September weather stats, astronomy tips for October, and fall photos and nighttime images.
September Weather in Review
Average high was 73.8 vs 68.8 historical average.
Warmest recorded temperature was 83 on September 10.
Average low was 39.2 vs 35.8 historical average.
Coldest recorded temperature was 28 on September 21 & 22.
Average mean temperature was 56.5 vs 52.3 historical average.
(This is a stunning ongoing fact these last ten years with much warmer averages).
Total precipitation was .70” vs 1.38” historical average.
October Weather Averages
Average high temperature – 59.4
Average low temperature – 25.6
Average mean temperature – 42.5
Average precipitation – 1.30”
“Shimmering tree…they are no footsteps around…but fallen leaves” -www.haikupoemsandpoets
The October Full Moon is called the Hunter’s Moon
October Sky at Night
October 3 – Waning crescent Moon in Leo constellation at dawn in the east.
October 6 - New Moon
October 8 - Draconoid meteor shower
October 9 - New crescent Moon will appear near bright Venus and Antares at dusk in the western sky. Watch Venus and Antares draw closer together on the 13th.
October 12 -First quarter Moon
October 13-15 - The Moon will appear near Saturn and Jupiter. Jupiter is the much brighter object while Saturn will be creamy colored.
October 20 - Full Moon
October 21 - Orionid meteor shower
October 23 - That’s Aldebaran (in the constellation Taurus) by the Moon.
October 28 – Last quarter Moon
Constellation of the Month
The Andromeda constellation is one of the forty-eight constellations listed by Ptolemy (a 2nd century Greco-Roman astronomer). In ancient star lore, Andromeda is the daughter of Cassiopeia. Andromeda is chained to a rock and is about to be devoured by Cetus the sea monster. Fortunately, Perseus rescues her from that fate! The Andromeda Galaxy (a spiral galaxy which is 2.2 million light years away and is twice as big as our Milky Way galaxy) appears next to the Andromeda constellation. With good eyes, the galaxy can be seen if you have good eyesight. It will appear as a fuzzy object as opposed to the pinpoint stars surrounding it. The Spitzer telescope revealed an astonishing one trillion stars in Andromeda galaxy!
(Photo taken by Lake City Skies) Pictured is the Andromeda Galaxy – In 3.5 billion years, it will merge with our Milky Way galaxy. When this takes place, it will be become an elliptical galaxy. Sorry I cannot be around to watch!
Stargazing Programs
If you attended one of my twenty stargazing programs, thank you so much! Most of the sessions were held at Windy Point. Hopefully, next year I can hold programs at the new observation site at the Deer Lakes turnoff.
I also hope to hold programs this autumn and this winter. Watch for updates on Lake City Skies Facebook page.
This amazing image of the Milky Way was taken by Yolie Brown with her iPhone at the last stargazing program on September 22nd.
If you have a question or would like to share information or your own photo, email Phillip Virden at starmanlakecity@msn.com
