Well, we’re all getting stuck back in at work and school after the summer, and what better time than to do some mindful stargazing as a relaxation technique. As always, let your eyes adjust for 20 mins or so before you look at the sky, you’ll see a lot more that way. If light is needed, use red light.
There’s plenty to see in September this year. We were treated to a total (with caveat) lunar eclipse in the first week of the month, and we have a solar eclipse (with caveat) to look forward to at the end of the month! Caveat no.1: The lunar eclipse was at totality only while it was still below the horizon. Caveat no. 2 (this is a big one): The partial solar eclipse is only visible from New Zealand and Antarctica. Huge audience for that one.
Saturn at Opposition. Image Credit: NASA
To make up for the disappointment of not seeing any of the solar eclipse from Armagh, we have a great backup option on the 21st. On this day, Saturn will be at opposition – i.e. on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun. It will be at its brightest (for the year) in the sky all night, so take the opportunity for a great photo. If you have a telescope, keep an eye out for some of Saturn’s 274 moons!
Neptune. Image Credit: Wikipedia
Not only that, but we are treated to Neptune at opposition this month as well! Only two days after Saturn reaches opposition, Neptune does the same, and we will see its full face at its brightest in the night sky. Unfortunately, Neptune does require a telescope to view, so there’s a paywall on this particular planet. Even then, because of its extreme distance from Earth, Neptune will only appear as a teensy turquoise dot in even the most powerful telescopes.
Some stars that are visible in the night sky this month include the last glimpse of the summer triangle nice and high in the sky, along with some newcomers, such as Capricorn and Aquarius. Face South to see the zodiac constellations, and the summer triangle asterism stretches from South West to West.
We can watch the moon go through its usual phases this month, with its usual fun names for each month – this month’s full moon is the appropriately autumnally named Corn Moon, or my favourite, the Harvest Moon. I think that’s purely because of the game though…
-
- Image Credit: Britannica.com
-
- Image Credit: Wikipedia
The full moon was on the 7th of September, but watch out for the new moon on the 21st, making it an extra great night for stargazing, or if you like, Saturn Gazing.
Position of the Earth and Sun at Equinox. Image Credit: timeanddate.com
Last of all, we have, in this jam-packed month, one of the best (in my opinion) events of the year – the autumn equinox. This is one of the two days of the year where the day and night are the same length, and the exact midpoint between summer and winter. This year the equinox is on the 22nd.
So look out for your star-studded (see what I did there) September sky – you won’t be disappointed with what you see!
0 Comments