From the August 2008 issue

October’s planetary bookends

October 2008: There's a double serving of fine planets at dusk and dawn in the October sky.
By and | Published: August 25, 2008 | Last updated on May 18, 2023
There’s a double serving of fine planets at dusk and dawn in the October sky. The solar system’s two largest planets are like bookends to the story of the night, with Jupiter setting in early evening and Saturn rising before dawn. The two inner planets appear at opposite ends of the night as well. Venus’ position improves in the evening sky, while Mercury puts on its best morning appearance of 2008.