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What’s Up in the Sky this October? A Meteor Shower and a Blue Moon!




Check your calendar and guess what, it’s already October! We have seen different, stunning astronomical events in the past months of this year, including the Penumbral Eclipse of the Moon and the Annular Solar Eclipse in June, the Southern Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower and the Comet NEOWISE in July, The Perseids Meteor Shower in August, and the Autumnal Equinox in September.

And for this year’s month of October, based on the latest astronomical diary issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the skies will be showing us more exciting astronomical events such as a meteor shower and a blue moon.

Astronomical Events for October 2020

Prepare to mark your calendars as here are some of the astronomical events to watch out for this month:

October Orionid Meteor Shower

The Earth will be passing through the debris left behind by the parent comet of the October Orionid Meteor Shower, the Comet Halley.

Thus, according to PAGASA, the October Orionid will be active from October 17 to October 25, 2020. The shower may reach fifteen (15) meteors per hour, at maximum rates. And its radiant will be observed north of Betelgeuse at favorable sky conditions.

However, sometimes there are lulls even during the traditional maximum peak nights of October 21 to October 22, 2020.

The Blue Moon

Whenever two full Moons appear in a single month, the second full Moon is called a “Blue Moon”. On average, based on the astronomical diary of PAGASA, Blue Moon only happens every two and a half (2 1/2) years to three (3) years.

This month’s first full moon occurs on October 2 at 5:05 AM (PST) and the second one on October 31 at 10:49 PM (PST).

“Since the lunar cycle is 29 days and most months have 30-31 days, we eventually find a situation where a full moon occurs at the beginning and the ending of the same month,” stated the administration.

The Phrase “Once in a Blue Moon”

Ever heard of the phrase “once in a blue moon”? Well, according to PAGASA, the phrase has nothing to do with the actual color of the moon.

It usually means rare, seldom, and as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) stated, maybe even absurd.

For More News and Updates

See more news and updates like this one by exploring our Baguio City Guide website and by liking and following our official Baguio City Guide Facebook page. You may also check out our official Baguio City Guide YouTube channel to as well catch a variety of video content.

 

Source: PAGASA, NASA Solar System Exploration, NASA

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