{"id":556729,"date":"2026-09-29T08:48:56","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T22:48:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/skywatching\/night-sky-network\/spooky-stargazing\/"},"modified":"2026-09-29T08:48:56","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T22:48:56","slug":"octobers-night-sky-notes-spooky-stargazing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=556729","title":{"rendered":"October\u2019s Night Sky Notes: Spooky Stargazing"},"content":{"rendered":"
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2 Min Read<\/div>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOctober\u2019s Night Sky Notes: Spooky Stargazing\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"This<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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This infrared image from NASA\u2019s Spitzer Space telescope shows a cloud of gas and dust carved out by a massive star. A drawing overlaid on the image reveals why researchers nicknamed this region the \u201cJack-o\u2019-lantern Nebula.\u201d Credit: NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCredits: <\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Ghoul<\/h3>\n

Located within the constellation Perseus lies a star called Algol, also known as \u2018Demon Star\u2019 or \u2018The Ghoul\u2019. You can spot this star during the autumn months, along with Cassiopeia and Andromeda in the northeastern sky, beginning after 9 PM. In Greek mythology, this star represents the \u2018blinking eye\u2019 of the gorgon Medusa. But how can a star blink?<\/p>\n

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Light curve of the eclipsing binary star Algol recorded by NASA\u2019s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), stored on NASA\u2019s Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST).<\/div>\n
NASA\/Wikipedia Commons<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Algol is a triple-star system, with two of the three stars orbiting one another. This eclipsing binary<\/a> causes the system to go from a bright +2.1 magnitude to a slightly dimmer +3.4 magnitude about every three days. Using data from NASA\u2019s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite<\/a> (TESS) mission, this light curve shows the regular dimming, or Medusa\u2019s \u2018blinking eye\u2019!<\/p>\n

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Using the constellations Cassiopeia and Andromeda, locate Perseus. You can find Algol by using the star Almach as a guide.<\/div>\n
Stellarium<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

There is no shortage of resources on how to calculate the dimming \u2013 or minima \u2013 of Algol, from interactive charts to data plots. Find the one that works best for you. Because it has a similar magnitude of brightness, you can compare Algol\u2019s brightness to the nearby star Almach (Gamma Andromedae) in Andromeda using a small telescope or binoculars.<\/p>\n

Witch Head Nebula<\/h3>\n

Between the Eridanus and Orion constellations lies a spooky silhouette, illuminated by the star Rigel. IC 2118, or the Witch Head Nebula<\/a>, is a reflection nebula about 900 light-years away from Earth. Because reflection nebulae rely on nearby starlight to appear visible, they can be difficult to see with the naked eye, especially if they are as far away as this one. While the Witch Head Nebula can\u2019t be seen with the naked eye, telescopes with very large apertures and low magnification make it easier to catch under dark skies. Astrophotographers, with or without smart telescopes, can image this haunting outline within a few hours, depending on equipment and sky quality. And what is a witch without their broom<\/a>! You can find the Witch\u2019s Broom in the Western Veil Nebula, located in the constellation Cygnus.<\/p>\n

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An infrared portrait of the Witch Head nebula from NASA\u2019s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, shows billowy clouds where new stars are brewing.<\/div>\n
NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Want more tips for getting into the season? Read our article on how you can make some spooky sidewalk astronomy fun for your community with Trick or Treat: Sidewalk Astronomy!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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The Ghoul Located within the constellation Perseus lies a star called Algol, also known as \u2018Demon Star\u2019 or \u2018The Ghoul\u2019. You can spot this star during the autumn months, along with Cassiopeia and Andromeda in the northeastern sky, beginning after 9 PM. In Greek mythology, this star represents the \u2018blinking eye\u2019 of the gorgon Medusa. [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15683],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-556729","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-night-sky-network"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t