How to get a great view of Uranus, Blood Moon and meteor shower in the skies above Plymouth
Six major things to watch out for in the skies above Plymouth this October
Max ChannonLive and Trending Editor
The October Harvest Moon, al;so known as The Blood Moon
Watch the skies above Plymouth this month - because there are at least six major celestial events taking place over the next few weeks.
October will feature a blood moon and two meteor showers, including one radiating from the constellation Draco.
There will also be a chance to view some of the most spectacular planets in our solar system, thanks to opportune viewing conditions.
With so much to see this month, Cornwall Live has created this comprehensive guide to everything that will be happening in the skies, to make sure that you don't miss a thing.
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If you are heading out, the best way to view any of the sky events is usually in the early hours after midnight. Head to a dark sky area - like Dartmoor - away from the light pollution of towns and villages, and be patient.
Here's everything you need to know about the celestial events happening this October.
October 5 – The Blood Moon
In October the full moon will rise high in the sky on October 5. The tenth full moon of the year has been given a number of nicknames, including the blood moon – but what does it mean?
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According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, Native American's named each full moon of the year according to what the moon symbolised. The blood moon, which is also known as the hunters moon, was to show the best time of the year to hunt.
However there is also a different meaning the term blood moon, which refers to four total lunar eclipses taking place in a row with no partial lunar eclipses in between.
The full moon is also known internationally as The harvest moon. It signals the time of year to harvest crops that will see you through the long winter months.
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The Harvest Moon is something that is often referred to in Britain as well as America and has even been commemorated in a song written by the iconic Canadian musician Neil Young.
The album, also named after the Young's song Harvest Moon was released in 1992.
October 8 – The Draconids Meteor Shower
The constellation Draco
On the night of Sunday October 8, comets will rain from the skies from the Draco Constellation.
The Draco Constellation, which is one of the largest constellations in the sky got its name from the Latin word meaning dragon.
The group of stars were reportedly named after an ancient dragon called Ladon, which was said in Greek mythology to have guarded the gardens of the Herperides.
The meteors that will radiate from the constellation are tiny grains left behind from the comet 21P Giacobini-Zinner. The comet was discovered in 1900.
The shower runs each year between October 6 and October 10 but will peak on the evening of October 8.
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Unlike other showers, the best time of the night to see the shower will be in the early evening instead of the early hours of the morning, meaning that more people will be able to see the beautiful display.
This shower will a lot smaller than others and at its peak there will be up to ten shooting stars per hour.
October 8 – See Mercury at its brightest
The planet Mercury
Sunday October 8 will give avid sky-watchers across Cornwall a great chance to observe the smallest planet in the solar system, Mercury at its brightest point.
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The planet, which is the closest to the sun, will appear quite close to the sun, and can often get lost in the suns light. But at its brightest point Mercury should be visible.
October 19 – The October New Moon
The new moon for October will be on Thursday 19.
With no moon visible in the night sky, the evening will prove the best time of the month for sky watchers to look out for fainter objects.
The night should allow the best viewing for planets, star clusters and galaxies that can often be lost due to the moonlight.
October 19 – Uranus at its closest to Earth
On Thursday October 19, Uranus will at its closest to the Earth.
The opposition of the blue-green planet come at the same time of the new moon, meaning that the skies will be dark and viewing opportunities will be at their optimum.
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As well as being at its closest to Earth, the face of the planet will also be fully illuminated by the sun, which means that it will also be brighter than any other time of the year.
The planet will be able to be seen all night long, but because of how far away it is, it will only appear in the sky as a tiny blue-green dot.
October 21 – Orionids Meteor Shower
The Orionid Meteor Shower
The Orionids Meteor Shower has been described as one of the best meteor showers to view.
The meteors in the shower are some of the brightest and fastest that you will ever see.
The meteors appear so vividly because the Earth comes into collision with a stream of particles left behind by the iconic and ancient Halley's Comet, at an angle almost head on.
The infamous comet passes the Earth every 75 years or so and has been observed for centuries.