October New Moon to Conceal Antares for Stargazers in South America

Stargazers in South America and the Falkland Islands will have the rare opportunity to witness the red star Antares disappear behind the young moon on October 24, 2025. This celestial event coincides with the peak of the Orionid meteor shower, providing an exceptional viewing experience for enthusiasts.

The new moon occurs when the sun and moon align perfectly from Earth’s perspective, resulting in a darkened sky ideal for meteor watching. According to the U.S. Naval Observatory, the new moon phase will officially take place on October 21 at 08:25 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (12:25 UTC). While this new moon will not create a solar eclipse, it will lead to an occultation, where the moon obstructs the view of Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius.

Viewing Opportunities Across Locations

The occultation will begin in Ushuaia, Argentina, at 10:35 p.m. local time on October 24. Observers will see the moon positioned about 15 degrees above the southwestern horizon. The star Antares will vanish behind the moon’s upper right quadrant and reappear at 11:23 p.m. on the left side, approximately 9 degrees above the horizon. Moonset in Ushuaia will occur at 1:02 a.m. on October 25.

In Punta Arenas, Chile, the occultation follows closely, starting at 10:37 p.m. local time. Similar to Ushuaia, Antares will disappear behind the moon and reemerge shortly after, at 11:28 p.m. Observers in these regions will have a clear view, as the moon will be relatively high in the sky during the event.

Conversely, observers in the Northern Hemisphere, such as those in New York City, will not be able to see the occultation. Instead, the moon will appear below Antares, which will be below the horizon at that time.

Other Celestial Highlights in Late October

For those not in the path of the occultation, the late October skies still offer several planetary sightings. On October 21, Saturn will rise in New York at 5:54 p.m. and will be visible at an altitude of 27 degrees above the southeastern horizon by 7:30 p.m. The planet will set at 4:36 a.m. on October 22.

Jupiter will follow, rising at 11:16 p.m. on October 21 and reaching an altitude of 71 degrees by 6:37 a.m. the next day. Positioned in the constellation Gemini, it will appear just below Pollux, Gemini’s second-brightest star.

The visibility of planets like Saturn and Jupiter will be enhanced in regions with less light pollution, creating an exceptional opportunity for amateur astronomers and casual observers alike.

Venus will rise just before dawn on October 22, becoming the third brightest object in the sky after the sun and moon. It will be visible until shortly before sunrise, allowing for a unique observational experience for early risers.

As the Southern Hemisphere approaches summer, planets like Saturn, Jupiter, and Venus will appear higher in the sky, offering a different viewing experience than their Northern Hemisphere counterparts. In cities such as Santiago, Chile, Saturn will rise at 5:17 p.m., becoming visible about 30 minutes after sunset.

As October progresses, constellations will transition as well, with the summer zodiac constellations giving way to fall stars. Stargazers will find the Great Square of Pegasus and other notable formations as night falls.

This October presents a remarkable opportunity for both seasoned astronomers and casual stargazers to engage with the wonders of the night sky. The alignment of the new moon with the Orionid meteor shower, along with the occultation of Antares, offers a blend of celestial phenomena that are not to be missed.