In September, the summer constellations begin to give way to the prominent autumnal stars like the Pegasus constellation and the Andromeda Galaxy. Planet Saturn continues to grace the night sky and Jupiter joins the show in the latter part of the month. We also have the equinox, marking longer nights for us in the Northern Hemisphere.
Book your visit this September to see your favourite object in space. We offer a guided Observatory tour and night sky observation via traditional and smart telescopes, like Vespera and Stellina. Al Sadeem Astronomy is the only distributor of these smart telescopes here in the Middle East. You can place an order or inquiry here.
Check out the list of night sky companions when you visit the Observatory this month, and some dates worth taking note of to help you plan your stargazing.
Observable Objects
Conventional Telescope Observations
- Planet Saturn.
- Planet Jupiter. On September 25 and onwards, planet Jupiter and its galilean moons will present you with a spectacular view.
- Andromeda Galaxy. Our galactic neighbour, the Andromeda Galaxy, also known as M31, is a spiral galaxy located about 2.5 million light-years away from Earth. It is the closest spiral galaxy to our Milky Way and is expected to collide with our galaxy in the distant future, creating a spectacular cosmic event. Don’t worry, it won’t happen in our lifetime.
- Double Cluster in Perseus. A stunning pair of open star clusters, NGC 884 and NGC 869 in the Perseus constellation. They will give a breathtaking view through the telescope that will appear as a twin jewel-like formation in the night sky.
- The Great Sagittarius Cluster – M22: The Great Sagittarius Cluster, also known as Messier 22 (M22), is a magnificent globular cluster located in the constellation Sagittarius. With its densely packed arrangement of thousands of ancient stars, it stands as one of the brightest globular clusters visible from Earth.
- Hourglass Cluster: The Hourglass Cluster in the Lagoon Nebula, is an open cluster with a nebulosity located in the constellation Sagittarius. Its distinctive shape will give an immersive view of star formation & infant stars.
Moon
- Last Quarter – 07th September 2023
- New Moon – 15th September 2023
- First Quarter – 22nd September 2023
- Full Moon – 29th September 2023
Smart Telescope Observations
- Pegasus Cluster
The Pegasus Cluster, also known as Messier 15 (M15), is a globular cluster situated in the constellation Pegasus. With its tightly packed collection of ancient stars, M15 stands as one of the oldest and most densely populated globular clusters, making it a remarkable sight in the night sky.
- East Veil Nebula
The East Veil Nebula, also called the Witch’s Broom Nebula, is a portion of the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant. Its delicate filaments of glowing gas and intricate structures are remnants of a massive star’s explosion, offering a stunning insight into the dramatic processes of stellar evolution and destruction.
- Jellyfish cluster – M30
The Jellyfish Cluster, also known as Messier 30 (M30), is a globular cluster located in the constellation Capricornus. Named for its elongated appearance resembling a jellyfish, M30 contains a diverse array of stars.
- Crescent Nebula
The Crescent Nebula, also known as NGC 6888, is an emission nebula located in the constellation Cygnus. Its distinctive crescent shape, illuminated by a central Wolf-Rayet star, showcases a dynamic interplay of stellar winds and ionised gas.
- Cocoon Nebula
The Cocoon Nebula, also designated as IC 5146, is an emission and reflection nebula situated in the constellation Cygnus. Its ethereal appearance is characterised by a dark dust lane resembling a “cocoon,” where new stars are born, making it a captivating region of ongoing star formation.
September Sky Events Calendar
- Neptune Opposition – 19 September 2023
During Neptune Opposition, Neptune is positioned directly opposite the Sun in the sky, making it visible almost throughout the night. This event occurs approximately once a year, offering the best viewing conditions to observe the distant blue planet and its bluish hue in the night sky.
- September Equinox – 23 September 2023
On September 23, the sun will be at its zenith—or straight overhead—as seen from Earth’s equator. This is called an equinox.
During an equinox, there will be an equal amount of day and night—that’s 12 hours each—and afterward, the lengths of days and nights in the Hemispheres will begin to shift. In the Northern Hemisphere, for example, (this is where we in the UAE are situated) night times are bound to get longer, but the nights of those in the Southern Hemisphere will grow shorter. Upcoming early night falls only mean one thing: more time for observations on planets and other night sky favorites!
- Conjunction of Moon & saturn – 27th September 2023
A Saturn-Moon conjunction is a noticeable celestial event where the Moon and Saturn appear close together in the night sky. This stunning alignment highlights the contrast between the bright planet Saturn and the serene lunar surface, creating a mesmerising view for the observers.
- September ε-Perseid meteor shower – 09th September 2023
The September ε-Perseid meteor shower, a lesser-known event, occurs in early September and originates from the debris of comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. While producing fewer meteors compared to its August counterpart, it still offers a chance to witness some shooting stars radiating from the constellation Perseus.
Sunrise & set parameters
Date Sunrise Sunset
01 September 2023 6.03 AM 06.41 PM
30 September 2023 6.13 AM 06.11 PM
