Nights are about to get longer and colder as we approach the autumnal equinox on September 22. This significant event marks a day of equal daylight and darkness, occurring twice each year. The fall equinox signifies the transition to chillier and shorter days as the Earth's northern hemisphere tilts away from the sun, creating an ideal opportunity for stargazing.
As the evenings grow longer, New Yorkers can indulge in the beauty of the night sky, featuring bright planets and two minor meteor showers throughout September. “The nights are getting longer, and the temperature is neither brutally hot nor brutally cold, making it perfect for stargazing,” said Bart Fried, a member of the American Astronomical Society. “Plus, the mosquitoes head to Mexico for the fall!”
This month, the planets will take center stage. On September 21, Saturn will reach opposition, bringing it to its closest proximity to Earth and fully illuminated by the sun. As a result, Saturn will shine brightly in the sky right after sunset. Interestingly, the rings of Saturn will appear “on-edge” due to the planet's angle, making it look ringless. However, viewers can expect the rings to return into view in October.
“Saturn will be the planet to look for this month,” said Jackie Faherty, an astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History. “It’s perfect visibility, so be sure to look for it rising in the eastern sky after sunset.”
Additionally, the eighth planet from the sun, Neptune, will also grace the night sky around the same time as Saturn. It will be at opposition on September 23, making it appear brighter than usual. However, viewers will need binoculars or telescopes to catch a glimpse of the deep blue planet. “In the morning, we also have the brilliant Venus, alongside Jupiter, which is bright but not quite as luminous as Venus,” Fried added.
September begins with two minor meteor showers that stargazers can enjoy. The Aurigid meteor shower is active from August 28 to September 5, peaking on the first day of the month with a rate of around five to ten meteors per hour. These shooting stars will emanate from the constellation Auriga, with the best visibility after 11 p.m. through the predawn hours.
Following this, the Epsilon Perseid meteor shower will streak across the sky from September 5 through 21, peaking on September 9 with about five meteors per hour. For the best chances of spotting these celestial events, head to a dark location away from city lights. “They'll be drowned out by the moon, so if you see one or two of these, you had a good night,” Fried advised.
This month, the constellation Pegasus will become prominent in the night sky. Its three bright stars—Markab, Scheat, and Algenib—along with Alpheratz from the Andromeda constellation, form a distinct diamond shape that is easily visible after sunset. “Pegasus rises higher and higher throughout the month,” Faherty noted. “An alternate North American view of the constellation is that it resembles a baseball diamond, which resonates with many as September marks the end of the regular MLB season.”
The full moon on September 7, often referred to as the corn moon due to its alignment with harvesting time, will illuminate the sky, making the first half of the month less favorable for stargazing. However, as the new moon arrives on September 21, the second half of the month will offer darker skies, making it a prime time for observing the wonders of the universe.
So, gear up for an enchanting month of celestial events as we embrace the beauty of the night sky this autumn. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or a casual observer, September promises to be a month filled with stellar sights.
