You have nearly three hours after sunset to catch the crescent Moon before it sets at 9:09 PM Eastern. (sunset timetable; Moon timetable)

• Evening crescent: Try the southwestern sky around 7 to 8 PM Eastern. Sunset is 6:22 PM at our mid-Atlantic reference near Allentown, Pennsylvania, and moonset is 9:09 PM. You have time for an unhurried look, but a clear view above trees and rooftops helps as the Moon sinks lower (sunset timetable; Moon timetable).
• Orionid meteors: If you are awake after midnight Eastern into October 16, look broadly overhead rather than staring only at Orion. The Moon is below the horizon by then, and the Orionids are active, but tonight is not their October 21 to 22 peak. Seeing a streak still takes patience (Moon timetable; Orionids guide).

Give yourself 20 to 30 minutes away from bright lights before judging the meteor view. Put your phone aside and scan a wide patch of sky; the meteors can appear far from the constellation they are named after (Orionids guide).

Moon note: Waxing crescent; next rise is 1:19 PM Eastern tomorrow, October 16, at our reference location (Moon timetable).

Enjoy a little time under the sky, and join the free NOOMMED newsletter for your next backyard outing.