The Planets:
Mercury:  Look for this elusive planet rising in the East around 7 AM at the beginning of the month.  By October 10th, it will rise around 6:30 AM and will brighten with each day until October 13th when it reaches its greatest western elongation.  On October 10, look for the planet Mars slightly above Mercury, less than 3 degrees between them.  (Remember that the width of your fist held at arm's length is about 10 degrees).  After October 13th, Mercury will rise slightly later each morning, until month's end when it rises only about 30 minutes before the sun.

Venus:  For the first few days of October, you might catch a glimpse of Venus in the southwest before it is hidden by the glare of the setting sun.

Mars:  For the first few days of the month, Mars lies in the constellation of Leo the Lion, but moves into Virgo on October 5th.  Mars can be found by 6:30 AM on October 1 in the eastern sky, rising a little earlier each day throughout the month.

Jupiter:  If you happen to be up about 3 AM, look for Jupiter rising in the East in Cancer the Crab, between Leo the Lion and Gemini the Twins.  As October progresses, Jupiter will rise slightly earlier each night, and by month's end (with the time change) it will rise shortly after midnight.

Saturn:  Finding Saturn is easy if you know how to identify Orion the Hunter.  Just look for the three bright stars in a straight line that form his belt.  His shoulders are the two bright stars above (to the North) of the belt.  This giant planet lies at the very top of the club held by the mighty hunter on the northeastern edge.  Look for Saturn around midnight rising in the East.  By midmonth, you find the hunter by 11 PM, and with the change in time, by 9 PM at month's end.

Constellations:  Aquarius, Cepheus, Grus, Lacerta, Octans, Pegasus, Piscis Austrinus

Looking for a Little More?  If this Skyline whets your appetite, try this website:  skymaps.com/downloads.html.  It offers a two page pdf brochure that you can print out for free.  It has a basic skymap and short lists of visual, binocular, and small telescope objects.  It is really good--check it out!

REMEMBER that the Sidewalk Astronomers will hold FREE public telescope viewing (weather permitting) on the north lawn of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History on Saturday October 12  beginning at dusk.  Come join in the fun and bring the family!
For more information about the night sky, contact the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History's Noble Planetarium at (817) 255-9300 or E-mail at planet@fwmsh.org.  Compiled by FWAS members Don Garland and Linda Krouse of the Noble Planetarium, with selected editor's additions.