This month, the evening sky beckons with a charming celestial lineup. Stay up for the intriguing dance of planets in conjunctions, the mesmerizing streaks of meteors throughout showers, and Venus radiating at its brightest. Don’t miss the prospect to witness Comet Hartley 2’s shut encounter or the majesty of the 47 Tuc globular cluster. The September sky guarantees a celestial spectacle for all to take pleasure in!
Would you prefer to be notified of stargazing occasions?
Fast Abstract of Meteor Showers in September 2023
- Aurigids: Begin on August 28; peak on August 31; finish on September 5.
- Ν Eridanids: Begin on September 1; peak on September 6; finish on October 29.
- September ε-Perseids: Begin on September 5; peak on September 9; finish on September 21.
- χ-Cygnids: Begin on September 3; peak on September 14; finish on September 25.
- Daytime Sextantids: Begin on September 9; peak on September 27; finish on October 9;
- Southern Taurids: Begin on September 10; peak on October 10; finish on November 20.
September 4: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
The Moon and Jupiter can be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 3°18′ of one another.
At across the similar time the 2 our bodies may also make a detailed strategy (appulse) reaching 3°04′ from one another, however now not sharing the identical proper ascension.
Each our bodies can be seen within the constellation Aries with obvious magnitudes of -12.3 for the Moon and -2.7 for Jupiter. The Moon can be 19 days outdated or waning gibbous.
September 5: Shut strategy of the Moon and M45
The Moon and the Pleiades star cluster (M45) will make a detailed strategy or appulse, similar to final month. This can occur once more within the constellation of Taurus.
You possibly can observe this astronomical occasion with the bare eye as a result of the Moon can be at obvious magnitude -12.1 and M45 at 1.3. The Moon can be 20 days outdated, that means it will likely be waning gibbous.
September 6: Ν Eridanid meteor bathe peak
The variable price meteor bathe Ν Eridanid will peak on September 6. Some meteors can also be seen between September 1 and October 29. They are going to seem to radiate from the constellation of Eridanus on the quick price of 67 km/s on common.
September 9: September ε-Perseid meteor bathe peak
On the ninth, the September Epsilon Perseid meteor bathe will peak. Presently there can be a median of 5 meteors per hour assuming excellent remark situations.
Some meteors will also be seen between September 5 and September 21, because the meteor bathe can be lively between these dates. They are going to seem to radiate from the constellation of Perseus at a median velocity of 64 km/s. The Moon will provide little or no interference as it will likely be a waning crescent at 24 days outdated.
September 13: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury
There can be one other conjunction, this time of the Moon and Mercury. The 2 celestial our bodies will share the identical proper ascension passing 5°59′ of one another.
They are often discovered within the constellation of Leo with obvious magnitudes of -8.1 for the Moon and a pair of.0 for Mercury. Nevertheless the Moon can be a really skinny waning crescent at 28 days outdated.
September 14: χ-Cygnid meteor bathe peak
The Chi Cygnid meteor bathe will peak on September 14. It’s a variable price bathe lively between September 3 and September 25. The meteors will seem to radiate from the constellation of Cygnus on the gradual common velocity of 15 km/s.
September 16: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars
The Moon and Mars can be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 39′ of one another.
Search for the 2 our bodies within the constellation of Virgo. The Moon can be a really skinny waxing crescent at solely sooner or later outdated. Regardless of this, the Moon will nonetheless be at obvious magnitude of -8.7, whereas Mars can be at magnitude 1.7.
September 18: Venus at biggest brightness
Venus will attain the brightest level within the cycle of its 2023–2024 morning apparition. Will probably be at obvious magnitude -4.5 within the constellation of Most cancers. The Moon won’t be interfering as it will likely be solely 3 days outdated – a skinny waxing crescent.
The brightness of Venus is set by two components: its proximity to Earth and its section. Its section modifications relying on the place it’s in relation to the Earth. When Venus continues to be a crescent – with lower than half of its disk illuminated – it shines brightest. This is because of the truth that it’s considerably nearer to the Earth throughout its crescent phases than it’s at different instances.
September 19: Neptune at opposition
Neptune will attain opposition, when it lies reverse to the Solar within the sky, reaching the best level within the sky round midnight native time, no matter the place on the earth you might be.
Will probably be at obvious magnitude 7.8, so not seen to the bare eye, however a small telescope will suffice. Look within the constellation of Pisces. The Moon gained’t be interfering a lot as a result of it will likely be a waxing crescent at 4 days outdated.
At across the similar time, Neptune may also attain its closest level to Earth (perigee) at a distance of 28.90 AU.
September 22: Mercury at biggest elongation west
Mercury will attain its biggest separation from the Solar throughout its Sep–Oct 2023 morning apparition. Will probably be shining brightly at obvious magnitude -0.5 within the constellation of Leo. The Moon can be waxing gibbous at 7 days outdated.
Be very cautious when observing an object near the Solar. Pointing a telescope or binoculars immediately on the Solar could cause extreme harm to your eyes, together with everlasting blindness.
September 23: September equinox
The September equinox is the start of autumn for these within the northern hemisphere and the start of spring for these within the southern hemisphere.
The Solar’s annual journey by means of the zodiac constellations carries it throughout the celestial equator on the day of the equinox, giving everybody on Earth practically precisely 12 hours of day and evening.
The time period equinox is a mix of the Latin phrases aequus (equal) and nox (evening).
September 26: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon and Saturn can be at conjunction by reaching 2°38′ from one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension. The duo can be too far aside to suit throughout the area of view of a telescope, however they are going to nonetheless be seen to the unaided eye or with a pair of binoculars.
Shortly after the conjunction, the Moon and Saturn will get even nearer to one another at 2°25′, however now not sharing the identical proper ascension.
The 2 our bodies could be seen within the constellation of Aquarius with an obvious magnitude of -12.7 for the Moon and 0.4 for Saturn. The Moon can be waxing gibbous at 11 days outdated.
September 26: Comet Hartley 2 at closest strategy
The comet Hartley 2 (or 103P/Hartley as designated by the Minor Planet Middle) will make its closest strategy to Earth at 0.3828 AU or 148.9 lunar distances. It’s going to move at 18.3 km/s relative to Earth. It may be seen within the constellation of Auriga with an obvious magnitude of 13.98.
The comet was found by Malcolm Hartley in 1986. It’s a small comet with an orbital interval of 6.48 years, which implies it’s a frequent visitor within the interior photo voltaic system. The present estimations of the diameter of the comet are at about 2 km.
Curiously, this comet has been visited by the Deep Influence spacecraft, as a part of the EPOXI mission, on 4 November 2010. So it’s one of many higher recognized comets and thus an fascinating goal to watch.
September 27: Globular cluster 47 Tuc at its highest level within the sky
The second brightest globular cluster, 47 Tuc (47 Tucanae, NGC 104, or Caldwell 106), will attain its highest level within the sky at round midnight native time. Since this object is within the constellation of Tucana, which is a southern hemisphere constellation, it gained’t be seen for many of us northerners.
It’s going to attain obvious magnitude 4.0, however sadly the Moon can be interfering a bit with remark as a result of it will likely be waxing gibbous at 12 days outdated. You possibly can observe it with the bare eye, however I might advocate at the least an ordinary pair of binoculars for higher remark.
47 Tuc is among the most huge globular clusters in our galaxy at 120 mild years in diameter, containing hundreds of thousands of stars. It’s additionally comparatively near us at 15,000 ly away. Each these details mix into why this cluster is the second brightest one in our sky. It’s theorized that it might comprise an intermediate-mass black gap at its core. One other fascinating truth is that this cluster accommodates stars which can be over 13 billion years outdated, making it unusually outdated. There are even some pulsars on this cluster!
After all as an newbie astronomer you gained’t be capable of spot any proof of black holes, pulsars, and even particular person stars, but it surely leaves you with a way of surprise at what else is hidden on this historical tiny spot of sunshine…
September 27-28: Daytime Sextantid meteor bathe peak
Relying in your timezone both on September 27 or on the 28, the Daytime Sextantids will peak with a median of 5 meteors per hour if situations are excellent. Some meteors can also be seen between September 9 and October 9.
Meteors will seem to radiate from the constellation of Sextans at a median velocity of 32 km/s.
It’s suspected that this meteor bathe originates from particles left by asteroid (155140) 2005 UD, a near-Earth object.
Moon Phases in September 2023
As you understand, the Moon has a big effect on the visibility of celestial our bodies within the evening sky. So listed below are the Moon’s phases for this month:
Positions of the Planets in September 2023
Mercury: The closest planet to the Solar could be seen at daybreak and nightfall travelling throughout the constellation of Leo. This planet, being the closest to the Solar, will seem to maneuver shortly within the evening sky and its place will change within the following weeks.
Venus: The sister planet could be seen travelling throughout the constellation of Most cancers. Identical to Mercury, Venus can solely be seen at daybreak and nightfall.
Mars: The crimson planet could be seen within the constellation of Virgo.
Jupiter: The fuel big is seen within the constellation of Aries. Jupiter can simply be noticed with the bare eye, even in extremely illuminated cities.
Saturn: The ringed big could be seen with the bare eye within the constellation of Aquarius.
Uranus: The fuel big could be seen within the constellation of Aries with the usage of a telescope.
Neptune: The blue big requires a telescope pointed within the constellation of Pisces with the intention to be seen.
Positions of Dwarf Planets and Massive Asteroids in September 2023
Ceres: The asteroid belt’s lone dwarf planet could be seen within the constellation of Virgo with the assistance of a telescope.
Vesta: This massive asteroid could be seen within the constellation of Taurus with a telescope.
Pallas: The asteroid could be noticed with a telescope within the constellation of Virgo.
Pluto: This distant dwarf planet could be discovered within the constellation of Sagittarius with the assistance of a giant telescope.
Main astronomical occasions subsequent month – October 2023
- October 2 – Asteroid 29 Amphitrite at opposition.
- October 6 – October Camelopardalid meteor bathe peak.
- October 8 – Draconid meteor bathe peak.
- October 10 – Southern Taurid meteor bathe peak.
- October 11 – δ-Aurigid meteor bathe peak.
- October 14 – Annular photo voltaic eclipse.
- October 18 – ε-Geminid meteor bathe peak.
- October 18 – Mars at apogee.
- October 18 – Eris at opposition.
- October 22 – Orionid meteor bathe peak.
- October 22 – Comet 2P/Encke at perihelion.
- October 24 – Leonis Minorid meteor bathe peak.
- October 28 – Partial lunar eclipse.
Conclusion
In September, skywatchers can stay up for quite a lot of celestial occasions. Planetary conjunctions, just like the Moon and Jupiter, will convey celestial objects shut collectively. Meteor showers will provide glimpses of taking pictures stars. Venus will shine brilliantly, whereas Neptune reaches opposition. The equinox marks a change of seasons. Moreover comet Hartley 2 will make a detailed move and the second brightest globular cluster, 47 Tuc, can be effectively positioned. Every occasion supplies a singular alternative to discover the evening sky.
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