Science
Astronomical events slated for September feature planet alignments, meteor showers, and Neptune opposition
Skygazers in September can observe planetary pairings, two meteor showers, Venus at peak evening brightness, and the annual harvest moon.
The short version
- September night skies will feature two meteor showers, the Aurigids and Southern Taurids, as well as a new moon on Sept. 11 providing optimal dark-sky conditions.
- The moon will pass close to Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, and Venus between Sept. 7 and Sept. 15.
- Major astronomical milestones include the fall equinox on Sept. 22, Neptune reaching opposition on Sept. 25, and the full harvest moon on Sept. 26.
Key facts
- The Aurigids meteor shower peaks on the evening of Sept. 1, while the Southern Taurids meteor shower runs from Sept. 20 to Nov. 20.[CNET]
- The moon appears near Mars on Sept. 7, Jupiter on Sept. 8, Mercury on Sept. 12, and Venus on Sept. 14-15.[CNET]
- A new moon occurs on Sept. 11, offering a weeklong window with lower lunar light pollution.[CNET]
- Venus reaches its highest evening brightness of the year on Sept. 18 in the western sky shortly after sunset.[CNET]
- The fall equinox takes place at 8:05 p.m. ET on Sept. 22, marking the astronomical beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.[CNET]
- Neptune reaches opposition on Sept. 25, placing it at its closest point to Earth along its orbit.[CNET]
- The full harvest moon achieves peak illumination on Sept. 26 at 12:49 p.m. ET.[CNET]
What remains uncertain
- Local viewing conditions for faint celestial targets such as Neptune or meteor showers depend heavily on weather and local light pollution levels.[CNET]