Saturn takes the late-evening stage, rising in the east and staying visible until dawn.

• Saturn: Look low in the east after about 9 PM, then follow it toward the south as the night deepens. It stays up until dawn and is an easy naked-eye target.
• Mars: Set an alarm for the pre-dawn hours. Look east from about 1:20 AM until 5:25 AM, when the red planet is above the horizon. A clear view helps.
• Jupiter: The bright morning planet joins the show in the east from about 3:50 AM until dawn, an easy target if you are already up.

• Bonus: The Southern Taurids are active, but their October 10 peak is still weeks away. You may catch a slow, occasional meteor from a dark spot, though tonight is not a peak night.

Moon note: The Moon is a 65.1% waxing gibbous, rising at 4:07 PM and setting at 12:14 AM.

Give your eyes a few minutes to settle into the dark, and let the sky come to you. For more backyard sky guides, join the NOOMMED newsletter.