The early hours of Oct. 21 may have you seeking a dark site with open sky to witness a comet and the Orionid meteor shower. After midnight heading into the 21st is the best time viewing window for the Orionids, when you might spot 10 to 20 meteors per hour under clear, dark skies. Just use your eyes and take in the whole sky; no binoculars required.
Meanwhile, Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) makes its closest approach to the Earth the same night. Your best chance to spot it will be around 6:30 p.m. on the 21st. Look low on the western horizon, above and to the right of the bright star Arcturus. If it brightens as predicted, it could be visible to the naked eye — provided the sky is dark enough to see the dim stars in the Little Dipper.
Each month, Rancho Mirage Observatory astronomer Eric McLaughlin spotlights a notable celestial event. The observatory is open for tours and public stargazing sessions. For details, visit ranchomiragelibrary.org/observatory.
