As September 2024 unfolds, the evening sky guarantees a sequence of stargazing occasions that can captivate each seasoned astronomers and informal stargazers alike. From shimmering meteor showers to shut encounters between planets and the Moon, this month provides a uncommon glimpse into the wonders of our universe. Whether or not you’re planning a quiet night underneath the celebs or a full evening of sky-watching, there’s one thing extraordinary ready for you. Right here’s a sneak peek at what September has in retailer for many who search for.
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Checklist of Meteor Showers in September 2024
- Antihelion Supply: Begin on December 10; a number of peaks; finish September 10.
- 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.
We even have a whole listing of meteor showers for the complete yr of 2024 right here.
Checklist of Planetary Conjunctions in September 2024
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury in Leo on September 1.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Venus in Virgo on September 5.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn in Aquarius on September 17.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter in Taurus on September 24.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mars in Gemini on September 25.
September 1: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury
The Moon and Mercury shall be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 5°01′ of one another.
The 2 celestial our bodies will meet within the constellation of Leo. The Moon shall be at obvious magnitude -8.7 for and Mercury at 0.4. The Moon shall be a 28 days previous waning crescent at 1% and won’t intervene a lot with stargazing this primary half of September 2024.
September 1: Uranus enters retrograde movement
Uranus will start retrograde movement, which implies it’s going to cease touring eastward by means of the constellations and as a substitute flip to journey west. The entire outer planets within the photo voltaic system periodically expertise this orientation reversal, which happens a couple of months earlier than they attain opposition.
Historic observers have been troubled by retrograde movement as a result of it didn’t match with their perception in uniform round orbits across the Earth. The phenomenon is definitely as a result of Earth’s orbit across the Solar, which shifts our perspective and causes planets to seem to maneuver backwards and forwards within the sky whereas persevering with their general eastward path by means of the constellations.
Uranus may be noticed with a small telescope or normal binoculars within the constellation of Taurus with an obvious magnitude of 5.7.
September 2: Asteroid 194 Prokne at opposition
The asteroid 194 Prokne shall be at opposition at round midnight native time. It should attain the best level within the sky and reverse to the Solar.
On the identical time the asteroid shall be closest to the Earth (perigee) at a distance of 1.006 AU. At the moment it is going to be the brightest, with an obvious magnitude of 9.5. Look within the constellation of Aquarius, with no less than a 4-inch telescope.
September 5: Mercury at biggest western elongation
Mercury shall be at its highest level above the horizon within the morning sky, making it the perfect time to view the planet. Search for it low within the jap sky simply earlier than dawn.
Will probably be at obvious magnitude -0.3 within the constellation of Leo. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of the Moon and Mercury.) The Moon won’t intervene as it is going to be solely 2 days previous, a really skinny waxing crescent at 5%.
September 5: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus
The Moon and Venus shall be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 1°10′ of one another.
Across the identical time, the 2 our bodies may even make an in depth strategy (appulse) reaching 1°01′ from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension. In some elements of Antarctica and Bouvet Island within the southern Atlantic this distance shall be so shut as to result in a lunar occultation of Venus, which means the Moon will move in entrance of Venus thereby hiding it from view briefly.
Search for the 2 our bodies within the constellation of Virgo. The Moon shall be a really skinny waxing crescent (7%) at 2 days previous and won’t intervene a lot. Regardless of this, the Moon will nonetheless be at obvious magnitude of -9.2, whereas Venus shall be at magnitude -3.9.
September 6: ν-Eridanid meteor bathe peak
The Nu Eridanids are small variable meteor bathe. Some meteors might also be noticed between September 1 and October 29. They may radiate from the constellation of Eridanus on the velocity of 67 km/s on common.
September 8: Saturn at opposition
Saturn shall be at opposition at round midnight native time. Search for the planet within the highest level within the sky and reverse to the Solar within the constellation of Aquarius. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the asteroid 194 Prokne at opposition.)
At about the identical time the planet will attain perigee at 8.66 AU and be closest to us and so seem bigger within the sky and simpler to look at. Its obvious magnitude shall be 0.6, so seen to the bare eye. This may even be alternative to make use of binoculars or a telescope for higher observations, together with Saturn’s rings. The Moon shall be a really skinny waxing crescent (25%) at 5 days previous and so won’t intervene that a lot.
September 9: September ε-Perseid meteor bathe peak
The September Epsilon Perseids are a small meteor bathe with a median of 5 meteors per hour (ZHR) throughout the peak if situations are ideally suited. The Moon shall be 6 days previous waxing crescent at 34%.
Some meteors might also be noticed between September 5 and 21. They may radiate from the constellation of Perseus on the velocity of 64 km/s on common.
September 14: χ-Cygnid meteor bathe peak
The Chi Cygnids are a small variable meteor bathe. Some meteors might also be noticed between September 3 and 25. They may radiate from the constellation of Cygnus on the velocity of 64 km/s on common.
September 17: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon and Saturn will attain conjunction passing inside 18′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
At across the identical time the 2 our bodies may even make an in depth strategy (appulse) reaching 16.2 arcminutes from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension. In some elements of the western Contiguous United States, western Canada and north-western Mexico in addition to Hawaii, elements of north-eastern Australia, and lots of Pacific islands this distance shall be so shut as to result in a lunar occultation of Saturn, which means the Moon will move in entrance of Saturn thereby hiding it from view briefly.
The Moon shall be at obvious magnitude -12.8 and Saturn at magnitude 0.6 each within the constellation of Aquarius. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the asteroid 194 Prokne at opposition.) The Moon shall be 14 days previous waxing gibbous at 99%, only a day away from full moon.
September 18: Partial lunar eclipse
A partial lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon strikes by means of Earth’s partial shadow, referred to as the penumbra, with solely a portion getting into the darkest shadow, or umbra. Throughout this occasion, a part of the Moon darkens because it passes by means of Earth’s shadow. This eclipse shall be seen throughout most of North America, Mexico, Central and South America, the Atlantic Ocean, and far of Europe and Africa.
For extra data see the chart under from NASA’s eclipses web site:
September 21: 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 this planet 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 shall be 18 days previous waning gibbous at 83%.
At across the identical time, Neptune may even attain its closest level to Earth (perigee) at a distance of 28.89 AU.
September 22: Shut strategy of the Moon and the Pleiades
The Moon and the Pleiades (also referred to as M45 or Messier 45) will make an in depth strategy, passing inside solely 13.1 arcminutes of one another.
Each objects shall be within the constellation of Taurus with the Moon being at obvious magnitude -12.4; and the Pleiades at 1.3. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Uranus getting into retrograde movement.) The Moon shall be 19 days previous waning gibbous at 69%.
September 22: 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 mixture of the Latin phrases aequus (equal) and nox (evening).
September 24: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
The Moon and Jupiter will attain conjunction passing inside 5°50′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
Across the identical time, the 2 our bodies may even make an in depth strategy (appulse) reaching 5°48′ from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension.
The Moon shall be at obvious magnitude -12.1 and Jupiter at magnitude -2.5 each within the constellation of Taurus. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Uranus getting into retrograde movement.) The Moon shall be 21 days previous waning gibbous at 53%.
September 25: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars
The Moon and Mars shall be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 4°53′ of one another.
Across the identical time, the 2 our bodies may even make an in depth strategy (appulse) reaching 4°52′ from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension.
Search for the 2 our bodies within the constellation of Gemini. The Moon shall be a really skinny waning crescent (37%) at 22 days previous. The Moon will nonetheless be at obvious magnitude of -11.7, whereas Mars shall be at magnitude 0.5.
September 27: Daytime Sextantid meteor bathe peak
The Daytime Sextantids will peak this September 2024 with a zenithal hourly fee of 5 if stargazing situations are ideally suited. With the Moon a 24 days previous waning crescent at 21%, the situations shall be fairly first rate, baring unfavorable atmospheric situations.
Some meteors might also be noticed between September 9 and October 9. They may radiate from the constellation of Sextans on the velocity of 32 km/s on common.
September 27: Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) at perihelion
The comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) will attain perihelion, which means it’s going to attain the closest level in its orbit to the Solar at a distance of 0.39 AU. (See featured picture on the high of the article.) It should have an obvious magnitude of two.6 in accordance with the BAA Comet Section, so seen to the bare eye. Look within the constellation of Sextans. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Daytime Sextantid meteor bathe peak.)
September 29: Asteroid 20 Massalia at opposition
Asteroid 20 Massalia will attain opposition, when it lies reverse to the Solar within the sky. It should attain the best level within the sky round midnight native time.
On this event, the asteroid Massalia will move inside 1.397 AU of Earth and attain a peak brightness of obvious magnitude 9.2. Sadly even on the peak, this asteroid shall be too faint to look at with the bare eye. You have to no less than a 4 inch telescope, which you need to level in direction of the constellation of Pisces. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing Neptune at opposition.) The Moon shall be a 26 days previous waning crescent at 5%.
Moon Phases in September 2024
As you understand, the Moon has a big effect on the visibility of celestial our bodies and astronomical occasions within the evening sky. So that can assist you with stargazing, right here’s a calendar of the phases of Moon for this month of September 2024:
Positions of the Planets in September 2024
- Mercury: The closest planet to the Solar may 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 may be seen travelling throughout the constellation of Virgo. Identical to Mercury, Venus can solely be seen at daybreak and nightfall.
- Mars: The pink planet may be seen within the constellation of Taurus after which Gemini later within the month.
- Jupiter: The fuel big is seen within the constellation of Taurus. Jupiter can simply be noticed with the bare eye, even in extremely illuminated cities.
- Saturn: The ringed big may be seen with the bare eye within the constellation of Aquarius.
- Uranus: The ice big may be seen within the constellation of Taurus with the usage of a telescope.
- Neptune: The blue big requires a telescope pointed within the constellation of Pisces in an effort to be seen.
Positions of Dwarf Planets and Massive Asteroids in September 2024
- Ceres: The asteroid belt’s lone dwarf planet may be seen within the constellation of Sagittarius with the assistance of a telescope.
- Vesta: This massive asteroid may be seen within the constellation of Leo with a telescope.
- Pallas: The asteroid may be noticed with a telescope within the constellation of Hercules.
- Hygiea: The fourth largest asteroid may be discovered with a telescope within the constellation of Aries.
- Pluto: This distant dwarf planet may be discovered within the constellation of Capricornus with the assistance of a giant telescope.
Main astronomical occasions subsequent month – October 2024
- October 2: Annular photo voltaic eclipse
- 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 12: Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) at perigee
- October 17: Asteroid 19 Fortuna at opposition
- October 18: ε-Geminid meteor bathe peak
- October 18: Dwarf planet Eris at opposition
- October 22: Orionid meteor bathe peak
- October 24: Leonis Minorid meteor bathe peak
- October 27: Asteroid 1036 Ganymed at opposition
- October 30: Venus at aphelion
Conclusion
September 2024 is full of thrilling astronomical occasions, making it a perfect time for stargazing. From conjunctions and oppositions to meteor showers and even a partial lunar eclipse, the evening sky provides a wealth of alternatives to look at celestial wonders.
To make sure you don’t miss out on any celestial happenings, join our e-newsletter to obtain stargazing calendars and extra updates. Joyful stargazing!
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