Home
Weather Dublin
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    Once in a lifetime comet to pass by

13:00
2 October 2024

October astronomy outlook
Once in a lifetime comet to pass by

Man sits with telescope looking up at the Milky Way.

It's a busy month for meteor showers, with two taking place amid the third supermoon of the year and an extremely rare comet.

Event Date
Annular solar eclipseOctober 2nd
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-Atlas) pass byOctober 9-13th
Draconid Meteor ShowerOctober 7th
SupermoonOctober 17th
Orionid Meteor ShowerOctober 21-22nd

Beginning the month is an annular solar eclipse, during with the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, though it is less exciting for us as it is only visible in the very southern tip of South America.

Of more excitement is the pass by of the Comet C/2023 A3. With an 80,000-year orbit around the Sun, this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spot the icy rock on its closest approach to Earth on the 13th without the need for equipment.

The comet will be visible between October 12th to 30th on either side of its closest approach and was only discovered last January.

A minor meteor shower, the Draconids reach their peak on October 7th though with only 10 shooting stars an hour will require some patience and clear skies.

Soon after, the third consecutive supermoon of the year rises, typically this full Moon is known as the Hunter's Moon but as a supermoon will appear larger and brighter in the evening sky on the 17th.

The final event of October, is the month's second meteor shower, the Orionids. This is more active than the Draconids, but still only delivers an average of 20 meteors an hour.

Usually visible from October 2nd to early November, the peak of the shower takes place on October 21st.

Don't forget to show off your pictures if you see any of these events, or simply anything else you wish to share! Tap the image icon in the app, or use one of our dedicated uploaders for the UK or Ireland.

Astrophotography tips for your phoneread more
Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
New heatwave in southern Europe. Up to 45 degrees in Spain. . . Tuesday 21 July 2026
Split temperature map showing extreme heat across Spain on the left and Greece on the right, with temperatures reaching 44°C near Murcia, around 40°C in parts of Greece, and a large thermometer icon highlighting dangerous heat.
Tuesday 21 July 2026

Up to 45 degrees in Spain

New heatwave in southern Europe
Long-term trends need a pinch of salt. Heading over 40°C?. . . Tuesday 21 July 2026
Temperature radar of 2022 heatwave where the all-time temperature record in the UK was set. Warning symbol overlain.
Tuesday 21 July 2026

Heading over 40°C?

Long-term trends need a pinch of salt
Heat warnings cover much of Ireland. Until the weekend. . . Thursday 16 July 2026
Temperature map of Ireland showing warm to hot conditions nationwide, with temperatures ranging from 27°C in Galway to 23°C in Dublin. A heat warning symbol to the west indicates elevated temperatures.
Thursday 16 July 2026

Until the weekend

Heat warnings cover much of Ireland
All weather news
This might also interest you
Flooding, gales, and heavy snow. Storm Chandra. . . Tuesday 27 January 2026
Split image showing aerial flooding in a town with muddy water covering roads on the left, and a rural road on the right blocked by heavy snowfall with vans stopped and a person walking in snow.
Tuesday 27 January 2026

Storm Chandra

Flooding, gales, and heavy snow
Seasonal warmth between spring thunder. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 19 April 2026
Split image showing coastal sunset with layered lenticular clouds over rooftops and palm trees on the left, and a green valley with river and hills under soft daylight on the right.
Sunday 19 April 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Seasonal warmth between spring thunder
Storm Chandra makes impact. Severe gales & heavy rain. . . Tuesday 27 January 2026
Split image showing strong winds over the UK on a forecast map and widespread rain and snow on a weather radar map.
Tuesday 27 January 2026

Severe gales & heavy rain

Storm Chandra makes impact
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList