Planets of the Solar System in October 2024 - which are best-placed and how to see them

The planets make a welcome return to our skies in autumn and winter 2024, making up for a pretty terrible year for planetary observing so far.

In October 2024 our planetary pick is Neptune, and you can find out more about this in our guide to observing Neptune in October.

Below is information about the Solar System planets for October 2024, including the best ones to see and key dates for observing.

Neptune

• Best time to see: 1 October, around midnight
• Altitude: 35°
• Location: Pisces
• Direction: South
• Features: Colour, Triton, subtle banding through larger instruments
• Recommended equipment: 200mm scope or larger

Mercury

Mercury is an evening object but sets close to sunset. Consequently, it’s unlikely to be seen this month. 

Venus

• Best time to see: 31 October, 30 minutes after sunset
• Altitude: 5° (low) 
• Location: Ophiuchus
• Direction: Southwest

Mag. –3.8 evening planet Venus sets 50 minutes after the Sun on 1 October, the offset increasing to nearly 90 minutes by 31 October. A 7%-lit waxing crescent Moon sits 3.7° south of Venus on 5 October but is low, setting just 30 minutes after sunset. 

Mars

• Best time to see: 31 October, 05:20 UT
• Altitude: 59° 
• Location: Cancer
• Direction: South

Morning planet Mars is in Gemini, managing 55° altitude under darkness at the start of October. Shining at mag. +0.4, it appears 56 arcminutes from mag. +3.5 Wasat (Delta (δ) Geminorum) on 8 October. 

The planet is visited by a 61%-lit waning gibbous Moon on the morning of 23 October and the last quarter Moon on the night of 23/24 October. By the end of October, Mars reaches peak altitude just as darkness lifts. On 31 October, the planet shines at mag. +0.1, presenting a 9-arcsecond disc through the eyepiece. 

Jupiter

• Best time to see: 31 October, 02:50 UT
• Altitude: 59°
• Location: Taurus
• Direction: South

Jupiter reaches opposition on 7 December and with increasingly longer nights, now is a great time to enjoy this magnificent planet. On 1 October, Jupiter rises at 21:40 BST (20:40 UT), shines at mag. –2.3 and reaches its highest position due south under deep morning twilight at around 05:52 BST (04:52 UT). An 81%-lit waning gibbous Moon sits 5.6° north of Jupiter on the morning of 21 October. By the month’s end, Jupiter easily achieves its peak altitude of 60° under true darkness. 

Saturn

• Best time to see: 1 October, 23:30 BST (22:30 UT)
• Altitude: 29°
• Location: Aquarius
• Direction: South

Having reached opposition on 7 September, Saturn remains well placed this month. On 1 October, it rises during daylight around 18:20 BST (17:20 UT), reaching 30° when due south around 23:40 BST (22:40 UT). It’s currently shining at mag. +0.4 in eastern Aquarius. On the evening of 14 October, Saturn sits 0.9° north of the 89%-lit waxing gibbous Moon’s centre as darkness falls. By the end of October, Saturn remains well placed, reaching its peak altitude of 30° around 20:30 UT. 

Uranus

• Best time to see: 31 October, 01:00 UT
• Altitude: 56°
• Location: Taurus
• Direction: South

Uranus is a mag. +5.7 morning object currently 5.5° south-southwest of the Pleiades open cluster. It reaches its peak altitude of 56° when due south under dark-sky conditions all month long.

If you're a planetary observer or imager, send us your observations and images by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com

This guide originally appeared in the October 2024 issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine.