Moon Phases
Thu., September 5, 7:36 a.m. EDT
New Moon
The Moon is not visible on the date of New Moon because it
is too close to the Sun, but can be seen low in the east as a narrow crescent a
morning or two before, just before sunrise. It is visible low in the west an
evening or two after New Moon.
Thu., September 12, 1:08 p.m. EDT
First Quarter Moon
The First Quarter Moon rises around 2:30 p.m. and sets
around 12:20 a.m. It dominates the evening sky.
Thu., September 19, 7:13 a.m. EDT
Full Moon
The Full Moon of September is the Full Moon closest to the
equinox on September 22, so is called the Harvest Moon. It rises around sunset
and sets around sunrise, the only night in the month when the Moon is in the
sky all night long. The rest of the month, the Moon spends at least some time
in the daytime sky.
Thu., September 26, 11:55 p.m. EDT
Last Quarter Moon
The Last Quarter Moon rises around 11:50 p.m. and sets
around 3:00 p.m. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern sky.
Observing Highlights
Tue.–Tue., September 3–17, before morning twilight
Zodiacal Light
This faint light reflected from countless pieces of
interplanetary material will be visible in dark skies for the next two weeks.
It rises in a conical shape along the ecliptic before morning twilight.
Sun., September 8, sunset
Venus and the Moon
The thin waxing crescent Moon passes just south of the
bright planet Venus, low in the western sky just after sunset. Spica is to
their right and Saturn is to their left.
Mon., September 9, before morning twilight
Mars in the Beehive
The planet Mars appears against a glittering background of
stars as it poses in front of the Beehive star cluster, Messier 44.
Thu., September 19, just after sunset
Saturn and Venus
Saturn and Venus will be in conjunction, best seen shortly
after sunset. Spica and Mercury will probably be lost in twilight for northern
observers, but will be better placed in the southern hemisphere.
Sun., September 22, 4:44 p.m. EDT
Equinox
The Sun crosses the celestial equator moving from north to
south, heralding the beginning of autumn in the northern hemisphere.
Wed., September 25, just after sunset
Mercury and Spica
Observers in the southern hemisphere will see Mercury pass
close to the bright star Spica about half an hour after sunset. Venus and
Saturn ride high above them.
Planets
Mercury is well
placed in the evening sky for observers in the southern sky, but very low for
northern observers.
Venus is now a
bright “evening star” setting just after the sun.
Mars is now a bright
object in the morning sky. Mars is in Cancer, passing in front of the Beehive
cluster on September 9.
Jupiter is the
brightest object in the morning sky all month. It is located in Gemini.
Saturn is low in the
southwestern sky as dusk falls, and sets around 9 p.m. It is located in Libra
all month.
Uranus is in Pisces,
heading for opposition on October 3. It is visible most of the night.
Neptune, just past
opposition, is visible in Aquarius all night.
Geoff Gaherty
Starry Night Software Support
All graphics © 2013 Starry Night Software
