Monthly Stargazing Calendar for September 2014

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This month will be rather uneventful when it comes to astronomical events except for the September equinox on the 23rd at 02:29 UTC. The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. This is also the first day of fall (autumnal equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of spring (vernal equinox) in the Southern Hemisphere.

Moon phases

As you know, the moon has a big impact on the visibility of celestial bodies in the night sky. So here are the moon’s phases for this month:

Positions of the planets this month

Mercury: The closest planet to the Sun can be seen at dawn and dusk travelling across the constellation of Virgo. This planet, being the closest to the Sun, will appear to move quickly in the night sky and its position will change in the following weeks.

Venus: The sister planet can be seen travelling across the constellations of Leo and Virgo. Just like Mercury, Venus can only be seen at dawn and dusk.

Mars: The red planet can be seen between the constellations of Libra and Scorpius, not far from the planet Saturn.

Jupiter: The gas giant is visible in the constellation of Cancer. Jupiter can easily be spotted with the naked eye, even in highly illuminated cities.

Saturn: The ringed giant can be seen with the naked eye in the constellation of Libra.

Uranus: The gas giant can be seen in the constellation of Pisces with the use of a telescope.

Neptune: The blue giant requires a telescope pointed in the constellation of Aquarius in order to be seen.

Major astronomical events next month

• October 7 – Uranus at Opposition.
• October 8 – Total Lunar Eclipse
• October 8, 9 – Draconids Meteor Shower.
• October 22, 23 – Orionids Meteor Shower.
• October 23 – Partial Solar Eclipse.

See also:

• Previous month’s calendar: Stargazing Calendar for August 2014
• Next month’s calendar: Stargazing Calendar for October 2014