September Sky Events: Witness Saturn’s Opposition and Lunar Conjunctions

As the vibrant colors of sugar maples emerge, September brings a series of significant astronomical events. Notably, on September 1, Saturn will become a prominent feature in the evening sky, standing approximately a fist-and-a-half high in the southeast at around 22:00. By the end of the month, this magnificent planet will be visible as early as 20:00. Saturn reaches opposition on September 21, aligning directly across from the sun, rising at sunset and remaining visible throughout the night. For those with a small telescope, this is an opportune moment to observe Saturn’s rings, which are currently tilted just enough to resemble a toothpick piercing an olive.

A highlight of this month will be the double conjunction of the waning crescent moon, the star Regulus (the brightest star in Leo), and Venus on September 19. These celestial bodies will appear less than one degree apart at dawn, creating a stunning sight. Additionally, September features both a total lunar eclipse and a partial solar eclipse, although neither will be visible from the Americas.

Interestingly, this month’s full moon will not be the Harvest Moon, which is defined as the full moon closest to the autumn equinox. Instead, that title will belong to the full moon in October, with September’s full moon being referred to as the Corn Moon. Despite the name distinction, observers can still expect the moonrises around the full moon to occur approximately 20 minutes apart, a notable shift from the usual 50 minutes.

The autumnal equinox, marking the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, takes place on September 22 at 19:19 Central Time. This event occurs when the sun crosses the celestial equator, resulting in nearly equal lengths of day and night.

As the month progresses, the constellation Aquila, known as the Eagle, will grace the southern sky. It features the bright star Altair, which, along with Deneb in the Northern Cross and Vega in Lyra, forms one of the most recognizable asterisms: the Summer Triangle. In Greek mythology, Aquila was associated with the thunderbird that delivered lightning bolts for Zeus, a powerful symbol of strength and dominance.

For those interested in tracking these celestial events, the free Stellarium Mobile app is available for both Android and iPhone users. This app allows individuals to easily identify current planets and constellations by simply pointing their devices at the night sky.

For a comprehensive guide to September’s sky, including a free sky map and calendar, visit www.skymaps.com/downloads.html. Updates on auroras and other astronomical events can also be found on social media platforms such as Facebook.

Key dates to note this month include:

– **September 1**: Venus shines below the Beehive star cluster in Cancer at dawn.
– **September 7**: Full Corn Moon rises around local sunset and sets the following morning at sunrise. While the eclipse will not be visible in the Americas, live feeds can be accessed.
– **September 8-30**: The International Space Station will make nightly passes across the evening sky.
– **September 14 (a.m.)**: Last quarter moon will be positioned due south at sunrise.
– **September 19 (a.m.)**: The conjunction of the waning moon, Regulus, and Venus will occur.
– **September 21**: New Moon, coinciding with Saturn’s opposition, making it especially bright as it aligns with Earth and the sun.
– **September 22**: The autumnal equinox, marking the official start of autumn.
– **September 29**: First quarter moon visible high in the southern sky at sunset.

September is also an excellent time to watch for auroras, making the month even more exciting for stargazers. Clear skies are anticipated, promising a spectacular month for astronomical enthusiasts.