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Pegasus
This constellation heralds the return of fall for observers in the northern hemisphere. Look for its trademark square of stars in the eastern sky around 10 p.m. Each night, as the month progresses, it will make its way higher and westward. The southernmost star of the Great Squareand brightest in the constellationis Markab (Arabic for saddle). About midway between Markab and Altair (in the constellation Aquila) is the star Enif, which is almost as bright as Markab. Enif marks the nose of Pegasus, the horse, and it is actually a double star system. One of the most impressive globular clusters in the sky lies just up and to the right of EnifM15. Use binoculars or a telescope to zoom in and resolve individual stars.
The Orionid meteor shower happens later this month. The best viewing will be on or about the 21st. Stay up late (or get up early) to watch for these meteors as they radiate from the constellation Orion.
Find the Andromeda Galaxy
The constellations of Andromeda and Pegasus join at the star Alpheratz, which is the northernmost corner of the Great Squarefind it around 9 p.m. Follow a line down toward the northeast horizon to the next bright star, Mirach. From there, take a right turn away from the horizon up about 4 degrees to the next star. Continue moving in that direction for the same distance you just covered, and find the Andromeda Galaxythe nearest spiral galaxy to our own Milky Way. Through binoculars or a telescope, you should see a fuzzy patch of light with a bright centerthats the nucleus. When you gaze at the Andromeda Galaxy, remember that you are seeing it as it was more than 2 million years ago, because it takes that long for light from this remote object to reach your eyes!