Jupiter will skip opposition in 2025, with its last occurring on December 7, 2024, and the next on January 10, 2026 — a normal gap in its 13-month opposition cycle.
Despite this, the planet is currently well placed for observation and imaging.
It lies in Gemini near the bright stars Castor and Pollux, shining at magnitude –2.0 in early October and brightening to –2.2 by month’s end.
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Recent observations have revealed the return of the North Temperate Belt and strong turbulence in the South Equatorial Belt, home to the Great Red Spot.
Jupiter’s next equinox will occur in late 2026, but by late 2025, its moon Callisto will begin showing transits and shadow transits across the planet’s disc.
At the end of October 2025, Jupiter reaches its highest altitude for UK observers, standing 58° above the southern horizon under dark skies — ideal for clear, detailed viewing.
Find out what the rest of the planets are doing in October 2025 below.
Mercury
Mercury is an evening planet during October. It reaches greatest eastern elongation on 29 October, when it’ll be separated from the Sun by 23.9°– but it’s poorly placed from the UK, and so probably won’t be visible this month.
Venus
- Best time to see: 1 October, one hour before sunrise
- Altitude: 11°
- Location: Leo
- Direction: East
The position of morning planet Venus worsens throughout October as it creeps nearer the Sun. On 1 October, Venus rises 2 hours and 20 minutes before sunrise, a mag. –3.8 beacon visible above the eastern horizon in the dawn twilight.
On the morning of 19 October, a 4%-lit waning crescent Moon sits 6° west of Venus. By the end of the month, Venus rises 1 hour and 37 minutes before the Sun.
Mars
Mars is currently an evening planet, but it’s not particularly easy to see. On 19 October, it sits 2° north of Mercury – but both planets are very poorly positioned for UK observing.
Jupiter
- Best time to see: 31 October, 05:15 UT
- Altitude: 58°
- Location: Gemini
- Direction: South
- Features: Complex atmosphere, moons
- Recommended equipment: 100mm or large
Find out more in our guide to observing Jupiter in October 2025.
Saturn
- Best time to see: 1 October, 00:30 BST (23:30 UT)
- Altitude: 34°
- Location: Aquarius
- Direction: South
Saturn is well positioned after its opposition on 21 September. On 1 October, it’s in Aquarius, but only just – a mere 2 arcminutes further north and it would be in Pisces. It reinforces Aquarius as its home throughout October, moving slightly west-southwest over the month.
On 1 October, it’s located just 3° from dim Neptune. At 02:00 BST (01:00 UT) on 6 October, a 98%-lit waxing gibbous Moon sits 2.7° north-northwest of Saturn. Saturn’s magnitude dips slightly over the course of the month, from +0.2 on 1 October to +0.4 on 31 October.
Uranus
- Best time to see: 31 October, 01:25 UT
- Altitude: 57°
- Location: Taurus
- Direction: South
Uranus will reach opposition on 21 November and the planet is currently well placed for observation ahead of this. Shining at mag. +5.6, Uranus is positioned 4.5° south of the beautiful Pleiades open cluster on 1 October.
As the planet is a slow mover, this position is held throughout the month, offering a chance for a widefield image of Uranus and the Pleiades together. At mag. +5.6, it is theoretically possible to see Uranus from a dark-sky location.
Neptune
- Best time to see: 1 October, 00:35 BST (23:35 UT)
- Altitude: 36°
- Location: Pisces
- Direction: South
Appearing in the same part of the sky as Saturn, Neptune last reached opposition just a couple of days after the ringed planet, on 23 September. As a result, it’s well placed for viewing, reaching a peak altitude of 36° when due south. Shining at mag. +7.8, you’ll need at least binoculars to spot Neptune, which currently sits just southeast of the Circlet asterism in Pisces.
If you're a planetary observer or imager, send us your observations and images by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com
