Taipei Astronomical Museum

The October night sky is packed with spectacular celestial events! On October 4, Saturn reaches opposition, making it visible throughout almost the entire night. In mid-October, the red planet Mars will pass by the famous Beehive Cluster, creating a striking pairing of a planet and star cluster. Toward the end of the month, the Orionid meteor shower will reach its peak, adding shooting stars to the October sky.The first highlight is Saturn at opposition on October 4.  At opposition, Saturn lies opposite the Sun in the sky and is at its closest distance to Earth. As a result, it appears slightly larger and can be seen rising around sunset and setting around sunrise, making this one of the best times of the year to observe Saturn.This year, Saturn has another attraction. Last year, Saturn’s rings were viewed almost edge-on from Earth, making them appear very thin and difficult to see clearly. This year, however, the tilt of the rings is gradually increasing, making their shape more prominent than last year. With a small astronomical telescope, observers may even be able to see Saturn’s beautiful rings.From October 11 to 13, the red planet Mars will pass through the Beehive Cluster in the constellation Cancer, with the closest approach to the center of the cluster occurring on October 12. Also known as Praesepe, the Beehive Cluster is a famous open star cluster in Cancer. Before dawn on October 12, look toward the eastern sky to see red Mars alongside the Beehive Cluster, with bright Jupiter shining lower on the horizon. Binoculars are recommended, as they can reveal the dense collection of stars within the Beehive Cluster. With red Mars moving through the cluster, it will look like a brilliant ruby set inside a box of sparkling stars, making this one of October’s most distinctive celestial sights.The Orionid meteor shower will take center stage in the latter part of October. It is expected to reach its peak in the early morning hours of October 22, with the light of a waxing gibbous Moon reducing visibility. Observers may see around 10 meteors per hour under favorable conditions. For the best chance of seeing meteors, it is recommended to watch from around 2 a.m., after the Moon has set, until dawn. No telescope is needed to observe a meteor shower. Simply find a location with a wide, unobstructed view and minimal city light pollution, and watch with the naked eye.According to the Taipei Astronomical Museum, October offers a succession of three major celestial highlights—from Saturn and Mars to the Orionid meteor shower—making it an excellent time to look up at the sky on a clear autumn night. For more information about October’s astronomical events, please visit the Taipei Astronomical Museum website.

Join energetic Shorty, intelligent Indigo, and daring sawfish Jake on a colorful coral reef adventure! After a fishing trawler devastates their reef, three fish have no choice but to set out on a quest to find a new home. They hope to find the “Enchanted Reef” — a mythical underwater haven free from humans. As they search the sea for a legendary reef, the friends encounter a variety of intriguing environments, from kelp forests to sunken wrecks — and even outer space! Their unforgettable journey brings them face-to-face with an octopus, dolphins, anglerfish, and other exotic creatures. Throughout their adventure, they must avoid hungry sharks, hazardous pollution, and other dangers, as they seek a reef that may be a myth.Legend of the Enchanted Reef is filled with humor and imagination that the whole family will enjoy. This touching animated fulldome show combines entertainment and education with an important message about the impact of ocean pollution.Screening dates: April 3, 115 to April 2, 116Running time: Approximately 45 minutes

Join showman extraordinaire "The Great Schiaparelli" as he takes the audience on a death-defying space-time adventure within his wondrous Observatorium.From the sun-scorched surface of Mercury to the icy expanses of Pluto and beyond, prepare to be subjected to the myriad dangers and wonders of our Solar System, on a breathtaking tour that reveals just how precious our home planet really is.Be warned though, the Observatorium isn’t just for show. It will transport the audience right to the heart of some of the deadliest locations in our slice of the heavens. It’s going to take some fancy flying to get everyone back in one piece!Screening Dates: January 1 to December 31, 115Running Time: Approximately 26 minutesBilingual Language: English (headphone)