One of the most famous and recognizable constellations in the night sky will soon make its return to the Northern Hemisphere night sky. After dark on Sunday, Oct. 12, the red supergiant Betelgeuse and the blue-white Rigel will rise together, on either side of the iconic Orion’s Belt stars, alongside a waning gibbous moon.
The arrival of Orion the Hunter in autumn skies is one of the year’s most anticipated moments for stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the annual seasonal shift toward the brighter, sparkling constellations of the winter night sky.
This annual sight means staying up late. The show begins just before midnight, when Orion will clear the eastern horizon with a 59%-lit waning gibbous moon shining just to the left of Orion as the constellation begins its climb. Wherever you are in the Northern Hemisphere, Orion’s Belt will rise almost vertically, making it easy to spot.
The first thing you’ll see is Betelgeuse — a red supergiant star nearing the end of its life (well, sometime in the next million years or so) — will appear low on the horizon, followed by the iconic three stars of Orion’s Belt rising nearly in a straight line. Rising on the other side of the belt stars to Betelgeuse will be Rigel, a blue supergiant star. Even under the moon’s brightness, these two stars and Orion’s Belt will be distinct and easy to find.
For the best view, step outside just before midnight and face east. You’ll need a clear eastern horizon. Binoculars aren’t necessary, though they may help sharpen Orion’s fainter stars against the moon’s glare. In a clear sky, you may also glimpse nearby constellations associated with winter, such as Taurus above Orion‚ including its famous “fuzzy patch,” the Pleiades open star cluster, and the two “twin” stars of Gemini, Castor and Pollux.
If you want the moon to guide you to another winter constellation now making its return, come back in the wee hours of Oct. 14, when an almost half-lit moon will rise with the bright planet Jupiter while close to Pollux, the brightest star in Gemini. The three will form a vast triangle in the pre-dawn sky.
Later in October, skywatchers will be preparing for possible comet-watching amid “shooting stars.” By sheer coincidence, the peak of the annual Orionid meteor shower on Oct. 21-22 coincides not only with a new moon — meaning inky black, moonless night skies‚ but also with close passes of Earth by two comets, comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) and comet SWAN R2 (Comet C/2025 R2). Both could be visible in the post-sunset night sky around Oct. 20-23, perhaps with the naked eye, but almost certainly through binoculars.
The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like Stellarium.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.