![\"TOPSHOT-AUSTRIA-SPACE-SCIENCE-SUN\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1760334908_821_960x0.jpg\")
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Northern lights (aurora borealis) illuminate the night sky over Vienna during a geomagnetic storm on May 11, 2024. (Photo by MAX SLOVENCIK\/APA\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
APA\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Each Monday, I pick out North America\u2019s celestial highlights for the week ahead (which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere). Check my main feed<\/a> for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more..<\/p>\n The Night Sky This Week: Oct. 13-19, 2025<\/p>\n This week the stars bring us the start of two fireball-rich meteor showers, a striking view of the moon and Jupiter, and some fine morning conjunctions featuring Regulus and Venus. As the moon retreats to its last quarter phase, evening skies get darker, making aurora easier to see. That\u2019s crucial because the weeks after the equinox on Sept. 22 often see a spike in geomagnetic disturbances \u2014 the \u201cequinox effect\u201d \u2014 as the orientation of Earth\u2019s magnetic poles relative to the solar wind allows solar wind particles to slip through \u201ccracks\u201d in Earth\u2019s magnetosphere and spark displays of the Northern Lights. With the sun still in its \u201csolar maximum\u201d phase, it pays to be on alert in North America<\/a>. <\/p>\n Here\u2019s everything you need to know about the night sky, stargazing and astronomy this week:<\/p>\n Monday, Oct. 13: Southern And Northern Taurid Meteor Showers<\/p>\n The Southern Taurids and Northern Taurids both begin today, two meteor showers caused by dust and debris from comet 2P\/Encke. Although their hourly rates are modest (about five meteors per hour), these showers are famous for their bright fireballs \u2014 exceptionally bright \u201cshooting stars.\u201d Both showers will peak in early November, but while you\u2019re stargazing over the coming weeks, keep watch for slow, dramatic meteors streaking from the east.<\/p>\n Tuesday, Oct. 14: Last Quarter Moon And Jupiter <\/p>\n StellariumTuesday, Oct. 14: Last Quarter Moon And Jupiter<\/p>\n In the pre-dawn hours, look east to see a last quarter moon \u2014 half-lit from our perspective \u2014 alongside Jupiter. The giant planet is currently in the constellation Gemini, close to \u201cthe twins,\u201d the stars Castor and Pollux. <\/p>\n Thursday, Oct. 16: Crescent Moon And Regulus <\/p>\n StellariumThursday, Oct. 16: Crescent Moon And Regulus<\/p>\n An hour before sunrise, in the east, a delicate 23%-lit waning crescent moon will shine just a degree from Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo. Look below the pair for bright Venus. <\/p>\n Sunday, Oct. 19: Crescent Moon And Venus <\/p>\n StellariumSunday, Oct. 19: Crescent Moon And Venus<\/p>\n Look east, again, before sunrise, to see a delicate 4%-lit waning crescent moon just above bright Venus. They\u2019ll be separated by about four degrees. Use binoculars to best see Earthshine glowing faintly on the moon\u2019s dark side.<\/p>\n