Saturn steps into the evening sky tonight, becoming accessible in the east around 9:39 PM Eastern and climbing higher after midnight.

• Saturn after sunset: Wait until the sky darkens, then face east around 9:39 PM Eastern. Saturn is low at first, reaches its highest point around 2:51 AM toward the south, and remains visible until dawn twilight around 5:35 AM. It is easiest if you give it time to climb above the horizon.
• The Moon: The waning gibbous Moon rises around 7:33 PM Eastern, shortly after the 6:48 PM sunset. At 96% illumination, it is an easy, bright target from the moment it clears the eastern horizon.

• Bonus, meteor activity: The Southern Taurids are active from September 10 through November 20, but their October 10 peak is still ahead. You can watch anyway, just keep expectations modest.

Moon note: Waning gibbous, 96% illuminated, with moonrise around 7:33 PM Eastern.

Step outside after dinner, watch Saturn rise, and let the bright Moon set the mood. Join the NOOMMED newsletter for more easy skywatching ideas.