SkyMatters: It will look like a bite has been taken out of the Moon this October

Plus: how to tell differences between a satellite, and a meteor

The New Year's Eve 2009 lunar eclipse, viewed in Killarney, showing 8% coverage at 7.22pm. Pic: Don MacMonagle

There are lots of planets to choose from in our October skies and the earlier onset of darkness is a celestial watcher’s bonus even if the longer nights aren’t necessarily universally welcomed! 

Just after sunset the planet Jupiter rises in the east and is visible all night long.