Nights are getting longer and cooler as autumn approaches. The autumnal equinox falls on September 22, marking the day when daylight and darkness are equal. This transition signals shorter, chillier days as the northern hemisphere tilts away from the sun.
For stargazers, September offers a treat. With longer evenings, you can spot bright planets and two small meteor showers. Bart Fried, from the American Astronomical Society, mentioned that this time of year is enjoyable for stargazing. “The temperatures are comfortable, and the mosquitoes are gone,” he joked.
This month, the spotlight is on Saturn. On September 21, it will be at opposition, meaning it’s closest to Earth and fully illuminated, making it shine brightly right after sunset. Astrophysicist Jackie Faherty noted that it’s a perfect time to see Saturn. It will rise in the eastern sky and is sure to catch the eye.
Neptune will also be visible around the same time as Saturn. Binoculars or a telescope will help you spot this deep blue planet, especially since it will also be at opposition on September 23, making it brighter than usual.
If you wake up early, look for Venus, the morning star, shining just before sunrise. By the end of September, Jupiter will be visible just after midnight, adding to the celestial display.
Fried emphasized that this is a great month for seeing the bright planets. “You’ll spot Venus in the morning and Jupiter after midnight,” he said.
September begins with the Aurigid meteor shower, which runs from August 28 to September 5, peaking at about five to ten meteors per hour. The best time to view these is after 11 p.m. The Epsilon Perseid meteor shower follows, active from September 5 to 21, with its peak on September 9, producing around five meteors per hour.
Fried advised that the brightness of the moon could obscure some meteor sightings, but even spotting a few would make for a good night.
You might also notice the constellation Pegasus lighting up the sky this month. Its three bright stars—Markab, Scheat, and Algenib—form a diamond shape. Faherty pointed out that some see this shape as a baseball diamond, fitting for September when the MLB season transitions to playoffs.
On September 7, there’s a full moon, known as the corn moon, due to its timing with harvest season. This lunar brightness can hinder stargazing early in the month. However, the new moon on September 21 promises darker skies for better views of the stars.
As you step outside in the coming weeks, look up. There’s a universe waiting to be explored.
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