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After the official start of fall, California stargazers can see “one of the most beautiful” meteor showers of the year.
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A second meteor shower will also peak in October.
The hunter’s moon will also appear in the night sky during the month.
Here’s when to watch:
When is the full moon in October 2026?
California closed out September with the harvest moon, the full moon that is closest to the autumnal equinox.
The new moon will be on Sunday, Oct. 10, according to online clock Date and Time.
October’s full moon will reach peak illumination at 9:11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25.
Why is October’s full moon called the hunter’s moon?
October’s full moon is typically known as the hunter’s moon — a name that can be traced back to the 18th century.
The moon’s name refers to the time of year when hunters track and kill prey to stockpile meat for winter.
“Because the fields were traditionally reaped in late September or early October, hunters could easily see foxes and other animals that came out to glean from the fallen grains,” Universe Today, an astonomy news site, said.
October’s full moon is also known as the sanguine moon or blood moon, Universe Today said.
Sometimes the harvest moon shines in October, pushing the hunter’s moon to November, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
When can I see meteor showers in October?
In October, two meteor showers will be visible to California stargazers.
The Draconid meteor shower will be on display in the Northern Hemisphere from Tuesday, Oct. 6, through Saturday, Oct. 10.
It’s predicted to peak on Thursday, Oct. 8, and Friday, Oct. 9.
“The Draconid shower is a real oddity, in that the radiant point stands highest in the sky as darkness falls,” astronomy website EarthSky said.
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Typically, meteor showers pass through the sky in the early morning hours but the October meteor shower always can be seen in the evening.
The Draconid meteor shower is “usually a sleeper, producing only a handful of languid meteors per hour in most years,” EarthSky said.
However, sky watchers can occasionally spot hundreds of shooting stars per hour during the Draconids’ peak.
When does the Orionids meteor shower peak?
The Orionids meteor shower will be active from Friday, Oct. 2, through Saturday, Nov. 7, peaking on Wednesday, Oct. 21, and Thursday, Oct. 22, NASA said.
Considered “one of the most beautiful showers of the year,” the Orionids are known for their brightness and speed, according to NASA.
Fast meteors can leave “trains” of “incandescent bits of debris” in their wake, the space agency said.
“Fast meteors can also sometimes become fireballs: Look for prolonged explosions of light when viewing the Orionid meteor shower,” NASA said.
“Fast meteors can also sometimes become fireballs,” NASA said. “Look for prolonged explosions of light when viewing the Orionid meteor shower.”
Expect about 10 to 20 meteors per hour, traveling at 41 miles per second.
Where are the best places to stargaze?
For the best views of shooting stars, planets and more, head away from the city.
The ideal stargazing locations offer “unobstructed views of the horizon,” National Geographic said. “Mountains, moorlands, deserts and remote islands are good choices, thanks to their isolation, clear conditions and lack of light pollution.”
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