Early Bird Special

If you're up early this month, you can spot a giant asterism and two planets. Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

What is Astro Minute?

Welcome to the Astro Minute! I'm Lauren Smyth, and with the help of astronomer and teacher Kelli Smyth, I'll be your tour guide as we explore the secrets of the night sky sixty seconds at a time.

Welcome to the Astro Minute, where we’re exploring the universe sixty seconds at a time. I’m Lauren Smyth, and today we’ve got an early bird special.

This October, early risers can see the Heavenly G overhead in predawn skies, and within it, two planets! To trace this huge asterism, start at the fuzzy Pleiades, circle left to bright Capella in Auriga, then continue left to the twin stars, Castor and Pollux in Gemini. Continue around to bright Procyon in Canis Minor, and then to brilliant Sirius in Canis Major. Next, circle around to blue Rigel in Orion’s left knee, then up to orange Aldebaran in the “V” of Taurus. Finally, cut left to red Betelgeuse in Orion’s right shoulder. That’s your G! You’ll find reddish Mars near the twin stars Pollux and Castor. Jupiter is also within the G, the brightest object there other than the moon.

Not an early riser, no worries! The G is coming soon to evening skies!

That’s your Astro Minute!