Stargazing: Pegasus and the Superman Galaxy can be seen in the October sky

Julie Silverman / Carnegie Science Center

As we advance closer to Halloween, we can see two soaring apparitions in October skies.

More mythical than spooky is the flying horse, Pegasus. As the seventh largest constellation, the winged horse dominates the autumn sky.

Four bright stars create an asterism called the Great Square of Pegasus. This fashions an easily recognizable pattern to locate the soaring steed. High in the sky, it is possible to imagine a baseball diamond dangling among the stars that create Pegasus. The constellation is loaded with galaxies.

Near the star Markab, which would mark third base, gleams the Superman Galaxy.

Astronomer William Herschel discovered the S-shaped galaxy in 1784. Classified as NGC 7479, it is a barred spiral galaxy positioned for a great view to northern hemisphere observers.

The galaxy, located 105 million light years from Earth, is noted for a distinct vertical bar and asymmetry in its swooping shape. Also nicknamed the Propeller Galaxy, its arms spin counterclockwise. One of the spirals of Superman’s “S” insignia is far more prominent than the other.

A lot of activity is taking place in the nucleus and those curving arms. Two recent supernovae explosions were observed in 1990 and in 2009. New stars have celebrated birthdays as well.

— Julie Silverman, Carnegie Science Center