Check What's Left of October 2026's Night Sky Schedule, as of Today
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Key Takeaway
Today, October 13, the 2.8-day-old Moon sets at 19:00, after which the sky is dark with almost no moonlight.
The rest of this month brings the first quarter on October 19, the Orionid peak on the 22nd, and the full Moon on the 26th.
When does the Moon set tonight?
In KASI's monthly astronomical events table, the Moon on October 13 is 2.8 days old, rising at 09:11 and setting at 19:00. Sunset that day is 17:58. The Moon stays up only about an hour after sunset, and then the sky is moonless.
Without moonlight, faint stars and shooting stars are easier to see. So if the weather is clear, tonight is a good night to practice getting familiar with the sky.
What is left on the schedule through the end of October?
The table below gathers only events from today on. All times are Korea time.
| Date (day) | Time | Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 19 (Mon) | 01:12 | First quarter | When the Moon looks like a half circle |
| October 22 (Thu) | 03:16 | Orionid meteor shower peak | ZHR=20, NASA basis |
| October 24 (Sat) | 13:00 | Venus at inferior conjunction | In the daytime, so it cannot be seen from Korea |
| October 26 (Mon) | 13:12 | Full Moon | Midday, so the Moon looks roundest that night |
This is as checked on 2026-10-13, from KASI's monthly astronomical events.
After the first quarter, the Moon gets brighter and stays up later. To watch the meteor shower, look at when the Moon sets, too. I will cover October 22's moonset separately in the next article.
Which events have already passed?
These events have already passed as of today. There is no need to wait for them as if they were still coming.
- October 4, 21:00: Saturn at opposition
- October 11, 00:50: New Moon
- October 12, 19:00: Mercury at greatest eastern elongation (25 degrees)
Saturn's opposition marks when Saturn is on the opposite side of the sky from the Sun. Just after opposition, Saturn still stays up for a long time at night. KASI's table does not list Mercury's height in the sky, so you need another source, such as an astronomy app, to see how well it can be seen.
Is the Orionid meteor shower still active today?
In NASA's guidance, the Orionid meteor shower is active from October 2 to November 7, 2026, and the peak night is October 21 to 22. Today is within the active period.
However, the 10 to 20 per hour NASA gives is for the peak under dark skies. Today is not the peak, so expect fewer and just glance up casually. Save the serious observing for the early hours of the 22nd.
What is worth checking today?
If you go out to look at the sky tonight, just keep these three things in mind.
- Go out after 19:00. The Moon will have set, so it is darkest then.
- Move toward a spot with less city light and let your eyes adjust to the dark for about 15 minutes.
- Check the cloud forecast before you leave.
If it is cloudy, skip today and focus on the early hours of the 22nd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see the Orionids tonight too?
NASA gives the active period as October 2 to November 7. Today is within it, but the peak is October 22, so do not expect peak-night numbers.
Is the moonset time the same wherever I observe?
KASI's table times are the reference, and they can differ by a few minutes depending on where you observe. If mountains or buildings block the view, the Moon will actually disappear earlier.
Can I not see events that have already passed?
Saturn's opposition on October 4 and Mercury's greatest eastern elongation on October 12 have already passed. The same objects stay in the sky after the date, though, so check their positions with an app or an astronomical almanac.
Sources & Verification Date
- Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) monthly astronomical events, October 2026 · Verified
- NASA guide to the Orionid meteor shower · Verified
All materials have been verified from official announcements and may have changed since verification.