In the Sky: September | Information, Sports activities, Jobs

September can be an thrilling month within the sky. For the primary time in a number of months, there can be a vivid planet within the night to watch. Saturn will rise within the east earlier than it’s absolutely darkish and cross by way of the southern sky through the evening. It would be the solely vivid object on this darkish a part of the sky, so it must be unmistakable. Saturn’s rings additionally will make it unmistakable by way of a telescope. However, the lean of the rings progressively adjustments, and at the moment they’re nearly edge-on to earth. As a consequence, Saturn will look extra prefer it has been pierced by an arrow than having lovely rings.

Mars can even be within the night sky, however it is going to set throughout twilight and doubtless is not going to be seen. Jupiter, adopted a number of hours later by good Venus, can be within the morning sky. Mercury can be within the morning sky early in September and within the night sky on the finish of the month, but it surely must be too near the Sun to be seen.

Saturn’s orbital motion has taken it into the westernmost a part of the massive, dim constellation Pisces (the Fish). It can be beneath or to the decrease left of a circlet of seven dim stars that signify the westernmost of the constellation’s two fish. As a assist in finding this most recognizable a part of Pisces, the circlet is also slightly below the Great Square of Pegasus (the Winged Horse). The western fish is tied by an extended, eastward pointing “v” formed string to the japanese fish that’s slightly below the center stars of Andromeda (the Princes). At the purpose of the “v” is the constellation’s brightest, though dim, star. It represents the knot that ties the strings collectively. In Greek and Roman mythology, the fish represented Aphrodite and her son Eros (Roman, Venus and Cupid). According to the story, they have been fleeing from the large Typhon after they jumped right into a stream and became fish. Before swimming away to security, they tied their tails along with a string so they’d not be separated.

Saturn will attain opposition on September 20 when it will likely be reverse the Sun within the sky. On this evening, Saturn will rise at sundown, be at its highest level about half approach up within the southern sky after midnight, set at dawn, and be at its brightest and closest to Earth for the 12 months. Also, since Saturn’s opposition happens two days earlier than the autumnal equinox, its place within the sky intently approximates the place the Sun can be in six months on the spring equinox. During these six months, Earth’s orbit will take it to the alternative aspect of the Sun, and the Sun will look like in Pisces. (Take my phrase for it; by no means have a look at the Sun.)

Observing Highlights

-Sept. 7: Mars will cross near the appropriate of Spica within the constellation Virgo (the Maiden) low within the western sky. Look quickly after sundown with binoculars, however it will likely be exhausting to see. Also, the Moon can be to the higher proper of Saturn after they rise about an hour after sundown.

-Sept. 8:The Moon can be to the left of Saturn.

Sept. 16: After they rise at about 2:00, the Moon can be to the left or higher left of Jupiter and to the appropriate of Castor (beneath) and Pollux (above), the dual stars of Gemini (the Twins).

-Sept. 19: After they rise about two hours earlier than daybreak, the crescent Moon will kind a good grouping with good Venus and Regulus to its decrease proper within the constellation Leo (the Lion).

-Sept. 20: Saturn can be at opposition tonight. Neptune can be simply to the left of Saturn and can be seen with a telescope.

-Sept. 22: The day of the autumnal equinox that marks the beginning of fall within the northern hemisphere. On today the Sun can be immediately above the equator. It will rise straight within the east, set straight within the west, and everybody can have 12 hours of daylight besides on the poles.

-Sept. 27: Star Party sponsored by Grout Museum & Black Hawk Astronomy Club, Prairie Grove Park, Waterloo, 8-9:30. The Moon can be to the left of vivid Antares, which represents the center of Scorpius (the Scorpion).