Stories
Sky Guide October 2025
Sydney Observatory's monthly guide to the southern sky
With Dr Nick Lomb, Geoffrey Wyatt and Dr Andrew Jacob
‘Please remember that Daylight Saving Time starts at 2 am on Sunday 5 October in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Norfolk Island. Put your clocks forward one hour. If you rely on a smartphone the adjustment is automatic. ’
Moon Phases
Summertime begins (Australia) – Sunday 5 October 2:00 am
Full Moon – Tuesday 7 October 2:47 pm
Last quarter – Tuesday 14 October 5:13 am
New Moon – Tuesday 21 October 11:25 pm
First quarter – Thursday 30 October 3:21 am
Planets
EVENING
Mercury, Mars and Saturn grace the evening sky.
is low in the west, moving from Virgo to join Mars in Libra just before the middle of the month and then Scorpius at its end. On 19 and 20 October, Mercury passes close to Mars at a separation of four moon-widths. On 23 October, a thin crescent Moon is below and to the left or south of Mercury, while the next evening it is directly above the planet.
