In Our Skies, September & October 2024

In September, Comet 13P/Olbers is projected to be at magnitude 8—a binocular/telescope target. In mid-September it will be a thumb-to-little-finger span at arm’s length above the western horizon after sunset.
September 5, Mercury is at its greatest western elongation.
September 8, Saturn will be at opposition. It will be up most of the night, and appear larger and brighter than any other time this year.
The night of September 17-18 will feature a partial lunar eclipse for many. Partial begins shortly after 10 p.m. EDT.
September 20, Neptune will be at opposition.
September 22 is the autumnal equinox and marks the first day of autumn.
October 2, most of South America will see a partial solar eclipse. In the Pacific Ocean off the coast of S.A. there will be an annular solar eclipse.
October 14, Saturn will be .1° south of the Moon.
October 7 is the Draconids meteor shower. It is a minor event with only ten or so per hour.
October 21, 22 is the peak of the Orionid meteor shower. The moon will block out the fainter meteors, but there will likely be some good ones.
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is predicted to be magnitude 2 at its brightest in mid-October. If the prediction comes true, it can be seen without optical aid. Look in the west/southwest just after sunset. In the following weeks it will be higher and dimmer in the evening sky, moving to the SW.