ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER Tuesday 2nd September - This morning the Moon can be seen at First Quarter phase Monday 8th September - The Moon is at Perigee today at a distance of 358,385 km (222,690 miles), the closest point of its orbit to the Earth Tuesday 9th September - The September Full Moon seen tonight is also sometimes known as the Harvest Moon, Barley Moon or Singing Moon Tuesday 16th September - This afternoon our Moon will be seen at Last Quarter phase Saturday 20th September – Today the Moon is at Apogee at a distance of 405,845 km (252,180 miles) the furthest point out in its orbit around the Earth this month And if you’re an early riser the Moon pays a close visit to Jupiter to the east before dawn, at 04:00 UTC / 05:00 BST Sunday 21st September - Today Mercury is at Greatest Eastern Elongation, and it is also Autumnal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere Wednesday 24th September - The New Moon rises with (and sets just after) the Sun today, so now is a good time to observe deep sky objects when the skies are unaffected by moonlight Friday 26th September - The waxing crescent Moon is visited closely by Mercury this evening, at 17:30 UTC / 18:Iftogetherness conditions are right and you have a very flat western horizon you may get to see them together Saturday 27th September - Red planet Mars visits red star Antares this evening, its name meaning “Rival of Mars”. Look low to the south west after sunset, and you’ll also catch Saturn in Libra, and the thin crescent Moon at 18:30 UTC / 19:30 BST Planets visible this month: Jupiter Venus Mars Mercury Saturn Neptune Uranus Remember, it can take your eyes up to 20 minutes to become properly dark adapted, and anything up to an hour for a telescope to reach ambient temperature outside (to ensure the best image), so give yourself plenty of time to get set up! Wish you clear skies and happy viewing!!!! Abass Reshi
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:08:15 +0000