October
Definition
In astronomy, October is the month when the Northern Hemisphere starts to see the constellation Orion, the hunter. Orion is one of the most recognizable constellations in the sky. It is made up of seven bright stars, including Betelgeuse and Rigel.
October is also the month when the Leonid meteor shower peaks. The Leonids are a group of meteors that appear to radiate from the constellation Leo. They are caused by the debris of a comet that collided with Earth's atmosphere millions of years ago.
October is a beautiful month with many things to see and do. It is a time of change and celebration, and it is a great time to get outside and enjoy the autumn weather.
How can the word be used?
October is often associated with the colour orange.
Different forms of the word
Noun: The tenth month of the year in the Gregorian and Julian calendars, with 31 days.
Adjective: Relating to October.
Etymology
The word "October" comes from the Latin word "october," which means "eighth." This is because October was the eighth month of the Roman year, which began in March.
The word "October" was first used in English in the 8th century. It was used to refer to the eighth month of the year.
Question
What months come before and after October?
AQA Science Exam Question and Answer
Question:
Explain the phenomenon of changing leaf colours in deciduous trees during the month of October. What biological processes are responsible for this transformation?
Answer:
The changing colours of leaves in deciduous trees during the month of October is a captivating natural phenomenon driven by biological processes. This process, known as autumn leaf colouration, is a result of the interaction between pigments in the leaves and environmental factors.
The primary pigments responsible for leaf colouration are chlorophyll, carotenoids, and anthocyanins. During the growing season, chlorophyll dominates and gives leaves their green colour while aiding in photosynthesis. As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop in autumn, trees undergo physiological changes. The decreasing sunlight triggers a reduction in chlorophyll production, causing the green colour to fade.
As chlorophyll levels decline, other pigments become more visible. Carotenoids, present in leaves all year, are responsible for yellow and orange hues. These pigments help in capturing light energy for photosynthesis and remain even after chlorophyll breaks down.
Furthermore, anthocyanins, which are not always present in leaves, develop in response to various factors like light intensity and temperature. They provide shades of red, purple, and even blue. The production of anthocyanins can vary greatly between species and even individual trees, leading to the rich and diverse palette of colours seen in autumn foliage.