SPACE CALENDAR: What to look for in September

ASHEBORO — Some good opportunities for spotting other planets exist in September, especially for Saturn. 

Sept. 7 

Full Corn Moon

September’s full moon, known as the Corn Moon, gets its name from the time of year associated with the harvesting of corn, a staple crop for many Native American tribes. In years when it falls closest to the autumn equinox, it is also known as the Harvest Moon. Celtic and Old English traditions gave it names such as the Wine Moon, Song Moon and Barley Moon, tying it to harvest celebrations. 

Sept. 8-9

Moon with Saturn

On these nights, the Moon will appear close to Saturn in the southeast after dark. Saturn will shine like a bright, steady “star” beside the Moon, easily visible without equipment. While Saturn is prominent all month, this conjunction makes it especially easy to pick out.

Sept. 14 

Shortest ‘solar’ day

On Sept. 14, the “solar day” — the time it takes the Sun to return to the same spot in the sky from one noon to the next — is at its shortest of the year. Instead of a full 24 hours, it lasts about 21 seconds less, so the Sun reaches its peak in the sky just a little earlier than the previous day. This small shift happens because Earth’s path around the Sun isn’t perfectly even, which causes the length of our solar days to change slightly throughout the year.

Sept. 21 

New Moon

No moonlight brightens the sky tonight, making it perfect for stargazing. Fainter stars, the Milky Way and deep-sky objects are easier to see.

Saturn at Opposition

Saturn reaches its brightest and most visible point of the year, shining all night long. It rises in the east at dusk and is highest around midnight — a perfect chance to spot it even without a telescope.

Sept. 22 

Autumn Equinox

The Sun crosses the celestial equator, marking the first day of fall in the Northern Hemisphere. Day and night are nearly equal in length, and from here, nights grow longer as we head toward winter. Occurs locally at 2:19 p.m. EDT.

Sept. 23 

Neptune at opposition

Neptune reaches its brightest and most visible point of the year. Even then, it remains faint and requires binoculars or a telescope to spot, making this the best time to try for a view.

Planets visible this month

MERCURY — Not a good month for viewing. Mercury reaches superior conjunction on Sept. 13 and remains lost in the Sun’s glare. It won’t be visible again until it reappears as a morning star in October. 

VENUS — Still a brilliant morning star, rising before dawn in the eastern sky. It shines as one of the brightest objects in the sky and pairs closely with the Moon on Sept. 19, offering a striking pre-sunrise view.

JUPITER — Gaining altitude in the pre-dawn sky, Jupiter rises earlier each night and becomes more prominent by late September. Its bright disk and four largest moons are easy targets for binoculars or a small telescope.

SATURN — The star planet of the month. Saturn reaches opposition on Sept. 21, meaning it is brightest, closest and visible all night long. It rises in the east around sunset and is highest in the sky near midnight — a perfect chance to see its iconic rings through a telescope.

URANUS — Visible in the morning hours east of Jupiter, Uranus requires binoculars or a telescope to spot. By late September, it rises before midnight and is best observed from dark-sky locations.

NEPTUNE — At opposition on Sept. 23, Neptune is at its brightest and best for the year, though still faint and requiring a telescope. Rising in the evening sky, it remains well-placed for observation through most of the night.