October 2026 Skywatching Highlights: Saturn Opposite, Orionid Meteor Shower, Moon Near Pleiades

On October 4, 2026, Saturn reaches opposition, rising at sunset and remaining visible for most of the night. This provides an excellent opportunity to observe the planet’s rings and a newly detected ten‑sided atmospheric wave encircling its south pole, a feature that is strengthening according to recent Hubble Space Telescope data. The Orionid meteor shower peaks on the night of October 21 into the morning of October 22; observers are advised to look just after moonset, as the waxing gibbous Moon will dim fainter meteors. Finally, from October 27 to 28 the Moon passes close to the Pleiades star cluster, offering a striking view of the “Seven Sisters” from the eastern horizon. These events combine planetary science, cometary debris, and stellar astronomy, making October a prime month for amateur and professional skywatchers alike.