October 2026 Night Sky: Saturn Opposition and Meteor Showers Announced

Astronomers have announced October's sky events, led by Saturn's opposition on October 4 and the Orionids peaking on October 21–22.

• Jeddah Astronomy Society chief Majed Abu Zahra said Saturn reaches opposition on October 4, rising at sunset and visible all night.
• The moon passes near Mars on October 5 and Jupiter on October 6, with a lunar occultation of Jupiter in some regions.
• The Orionids, debris from Halley's comet, peak on October 21–22 at about 20 meteors per hour.
• Unified Arab observation of Saturn runs October 2 and 9, linking teams via Zoom under the IAU's 100 Hours of Astronomy campaign.