As September unfolds, stargazers in North America are in for a celestial treat. This week is marked by the presence of several planets, mesmerizing star clusters, and a stunning full moon known as the Corn Moon. With Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter gracing the morning sky, and the night sky's constellations signaling the onset of fall, let's delve into the celestial highlights for this week in stargazing and astronomy.
On Monday morning, about an hour and a half before sunrise, direct your gaze low to the east-northeast to catch a glimpse of the dazzling Venus nestled near the Beehive Cluster (M44) in the constellation Cancer. Approximately an hour before sunrise, Mercury will rise just below Venus, while Jupiter sits higher in the eastern sky, forming a gentle planetary line. For an enhanced view, use binoculars to explore the delicate stars of the Beehive Cluster and to locate Mercury more easily.
On Tuesday, the spotlight is on Mercury, which makes its final dawn appearance in its current elongation. This elusive planet will appear adjacent to Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo. Regulus will be positioned just to the lower right of Mercury. To spot this pairing, you may need binoculars due to the atmospheric haze near the horizon. Look for this celestial duo glimmering low in the east an hour before sunrise, but be quick—this sight will fade rapidly in the brightening twilight. Ensure you have an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon for the best experience.
As the sun sets on Wednesday, turn your attention to the west-southwest to find the dimming Mars positioned to the left of the bright blue-white star Spica in the constellation Virgo. Mars is currently heading toward solar conjunction, which is set for January, and it won't reach peak brightness again until its opposition in February 2027. This is a perfect opportunity for stargazers to catch a glimpse of these two celestial bodies as they appear together in the evening sky.
Closing out the week, the full moon rises shortly after sunset on Sunday, glowing with a golden hue as it ascends higher into the sky. This full moon is colloquially known as the Corn Moon, given that the Harvest Moon will occur in October this year, marking it as the closest full moon to the autumn equinox. While regions in Asia, Australia, and parts of the Pacific will witness a total lunar eclipse, North America will only enjoy the sight of the rising full moon, which promises to be a beautiful spectacle.
For those in mid-northern latitudes, the times and dates mentioned are applicable. For the most accurate and location-specific details, consider consulting online planetariums such as Stellarium. Wishing everyone clear skies and wide eyes as you embark on your stargazing adventures this week!
