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The moon goes (slightly) dim
Putting them together is exactly what the Slooh virtual observatory is doing this weekend, starting at 5:45 p.m. ET Friday with pictures of the moon.

Slooh will be broadcasting imagery from its remote-controlled Half Meter Telescope in the Canary Islands. The show really gets going at 7:30 p.m. ET, when Slooh’s Paul Cox and astronomer Bob Berman begin their live commentary.

The eclipse peaks at 7:50 p.m. ET, and brightens up into your typical full moon — known as the “Hunter’s Moon” this month — about 45 minutes after that. Slooh plans to end its live-streaming moon views at 9:55 p.m. ET.

Comet ISON and Mars
Just a few hours later, starting at 1:30 a.m. ET Saturday, Slooh will broadcast images of Comet ISON, a visitor from the solar system’s hinterlands that skywatchers hope will turn into the “comet of the century.” It’s still hard to predict just how bright ISON will get, but this week, scientists at the Space Telescope Science Institute said it’s looking as if the comet is holding together for a crucial swing around the sun next month.

If ISON survives that encounter, it should put on a good show in early December. Saturday’s viewing opportunity isn’t nearly as spectacular. The comet is still to faint to see with the naked eye; however, it’s well within the capability of Slooh’s telescopes on the Canary Islands — or backyard telescopes, for that matter. ISON is shining in the night sky just 1 degree to the left of Mars, about a thumb’s width away, as Colorado Mountain College’s Jimmy Westlake explains.

Slooh’s Half Meter Telescope will be trained on ISON, while its T2 Wide Field Telescope will show Mars and ISON in the same field of view. Cox will provide expert commentary and take questions via Twitter (just use the hashtag #ISON). He’ll be joined by Christina Feliciano, a Slooh member who’s heading up an ISON observing team.

Observing the Orionids
This weekend is also prime time for the Orionid meteor shower, which flares up every October when Earth passes through the stream of cosmic grit left behind by Halley’s Comet. This isn’t the best year for the Orionids, due to the glare of that just-past-full moon, but there’s still a chance of seeing shooting stars. The best views are expected between midnight and dawn on Sunday and Monday.

“Nonetheless, of the dozens of minor showers, the Orionids rank among the best,” Paolucci said. “Moreover, having the distinguished pedigree of being progeny of the most famous comet in history entitles them to be showcased. Slooh hopes to capture enough to make this 15-minute real-time program worthwhile.”