September 2025 Skywatching Ideas from NASA

Saturn shines all through the month, a conjunction sparkles within the sky, and we welcome the autumnal equinox. 

• All of September: Saturn is seen
• Sept. 19: A conjunction between the Moon, Venus, and Regulus
• Sept. 21: Saturn is at opposition
• Sept. 22: The autumnal equinox

What’s Up for September? Saturn places on a spectacular present, a dawn conjunction shines brilliant, and we ring within the autumnal equinox.

Saturn at Opposition

Saturn shall be placing on an out-of-this-world efficiency this month. 

While Venus and Jupiter shine within the jap morning sky, the ringed planet shall be extremely brilliant within the sky all through September within the jap night sky and western early morning sky.

But why is Saturn the star of the present? Well, on September 21, Saturn shall be at opposition, which means Earth will discover itself in between Saturn and the Sun, quickly lined up. 

This additionally signifies that Saturn is at its closest and brightest all yr! 

Saturn shall be seen with simply your eyes within the evening sky, however with a small telescope, you may have the ability to see its rings!

Conjunction Trio

If you look to the east simply earlier than dawn on September 19, you’ll see a trio of celestial objects in an impressive conjunction. 

In the early pre-dawn hours, look east towards the waning, crescent Moon setting within the sky and also you’ll discover one thing peculiar.
The Moon shall be nestled up proper subsequent to each Venus and Regulus, one of many brightest stars within the evening sky. 

The three are a part of a conjunction, which merely signifies that they appear shut collectively within the sky (even when they’re really far aside in area). 

To discover this conjunction, simply look to the Moon. 

And if you need some extra astronomical context, or wish to particularly find Regulus, this star lies inside the constellation Leo, the lion. 

The Autumnal Equinox

On September 22, we mark the autumnal equinox or the official begin of fall within the northern hemisphere. 

Astronomically, that is the time when the Sun finds itself precisely above the equator.

On today, our planet isn’t tilted towards or away from the Sun, and each day and evening are virtually precisely 12 hours (with a couple of small exceptions). 

Moon Phases + Conclusion

Here are the phases of the Moon for September.

You can keep updated on all of NASA’s missions exploring the photo voltaic system and past at science.nasa.gov.

I’m Chelsea Gohd from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and that’s What’s Up for this month.