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    Seasonal Star Chart

    The best things to see in tonight is sky. Naked-eye targets, binocular treats, and one or two telescope challenges per season.

    Season

    Fall sky highlights

    Cassiopeia (W shape)

    Easy

    Five-star W high in north

    When: Evening

    Andromeda Galaxy (M31)

    Easy with dark sky

    Naked-eye galaxy 2.5 million light-years away

    When: Evening, dark site

    Great Square of Pegasus

    Easy

    Large empty square high in east

    When: Evening

    Orionid meteor shower

    Easy with patience

    Peak October 20-21

    When: After midnight

    Saturn (when visible)

    Intermediate

    Rings visible through small telescope

    When: Check current visibility

    Pleiades (M45 - Seven Sisters)

    Easy

    Tight bright star cluster, low in east

    When: Evening rising

    Free apps to add: Stellarium (free desktop and phone app, shows exactly what is above you right now), SkySafari (paid), NASA Spot The Station (free, tells you when ISS flies over). Dark Sky Finder maps light pollution near you.

    For older eyes: Let your eyes adjust for 20 minutes (no phone screens). Use a red flashlight to keep night vision. A reclining lawn chair beats a kink in the neck. Warm clothes - it gets colder than you expect.