On the early morning of September 11th, before daybreak, youll discover the Moon simply a couple of finger-widths from Jupiter in the sky. On the night of September 9th, Jupiter and Saturn escort the Moon across the sky. September 23rd brings the September equinox, which marks the main start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere, and the start of spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
What are some skywatching highlights in September 2022?
Mars is on the relocation this month, forming a “red triangle” with brilliant red stars Aldebaran and Betelgeuse. Saturn and Jupiter fly with the Moon on September 9th, and then the Moon slides over closer to Jupiter in the morning sky on the 11th. At the end of the month, September 23rd brings the equinox, meaning day and night are of almost equal length, and a change of seasons is afoot.
Saturn and Jupiter fly with the Moon on September 9th, and then the Moon slides over closer to Jupiter in the early morning sky on the 11th. At the end of the month, September 23rd brings the equinox, implying day and night are of nearly equal length, and a change of seasons is afoot.
Whats Up for September 2022? Mars is on the relocation, prime viewing time for Jupiter, and a smart way to find your bearings on the equinox.
In September, youll discover Mars hanging out high in the south on mornings prior to sunrise. Early in the month, its near orange-colored Aldebaran, the star that forms the eye of Taurus the bull. Over the course of the month, Mars will work its method eastward from Aldebaran toward reddish Betelgeuse, developing a sort of “red triangle” in the early morning sky. The Red Planet will appear to strike the brakes and stop its eastward motion, to hang out in that triangle for the next month or so. (Well speak about whats going on there in next months skywatching tips.).
Mars forms a triangle of reddish items in September, and into October, as it hangs near brilliant red stars Aldebaran and Betelgeuse in the morning sky. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
On the early morning of September 11th, before daybreak, youll find the Moon simply a couple of finger-widths from Jupiter in the sky. Jupiters at opposition this month, making it noticeable all night under clear skies.
Later this month on the 29th, NASAs Jupiter-orbiting Juno spacecraft is scheduled to make an unique, fast flyby of one of those icy moons, Europa. The spacecraft is slated to pass a little over 200 miles (320 km) above the moons surface, returning images and science information.
In addition, NASA is presently preparing its Europa Clipper spacecraft for launch in 2024. To examine whether Europa might have conditions suitable for life, it will make dozens of close flybys of the Jovian moon.
Relying on the evening sky, youll have Saturn together with Jupiter as your planetary companions all month long. On the night of September 9th, Jupiter and Saturn escort the Moon across the sky. Youll see the trio rising in the southeast in the very first couple of hours after dark, and moving westward together throughout the night. By the end of the month, youll observe the set of planets increasing even previously, appearing in the east not long after it gets dark, with intense Jupiter hanging low in the sky.
On the night of September 9, see the almost full Moon accompanied across the sky by Jupiter and Saturn. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
September 23rd brings the September equinox, which marks the main start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere, and the start of spring in the Southern Hemisphere. When Earths tilt with regard to the Sun is the exact same for both hemispheres, the equinoxes occur twice per year. Both north and south receive the exact same amount of sunshine, and day and night are, quickly, of almost equal length.
Illustration demonstrating how Earths tilt causes the Northern and Southern Hemispheres receiving altering amounts of sunshine over the course of the year. At the equinoxes, neither hemisphere is more tilted towards the Sun, so both hemispheres get the same amount of sunlight. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
And, get this: if you take note of precisely where the Sun appears to set and increase on the equinoxes, those points mark the places of due east and due west, respectively.
Thats something quite useful to know for skywatchers, whatever hemisphere you occur to reside in. Take note of any structures, tall trees, lampposts, and the like at those locations on the horizon. When looking skyward all year long, that way you can use them to discover your bearings.