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Visible planets and night sky for September
Mars is going into the sun. Jupiter and Saturn are evening objects. Morning planets are Venus, Jupiter and Mercury. Visible planets, here.
September 23, 2023
2023 September equinox: All you need to know
The September equinox is here! Autumn for the Northern Hemisphere. Spring for the Southern Hemisphere. Here's all you need to know.
September 22, 2023
On the equinox, are day and night equal?
Day and night are mostly equal on the equinox. There's a bit more daylight because the sun is a disk, not a point, and Earth’s atmosphere refracts sunlight.
September 21, 2023
Year’s fastest sunsets happen around equinoxes
The year's fastest sunsets are at the equinoxes, and the slowest are at the solstices. We're talking about how long it takes the sun to sink below the horizon.
September 19, 2023
Why is Venus so bright in our Earth’s sky?
You can't miss dazzling Venus in the east before sunup now. It's the 3rd brightest object in the sky, after the sun and moon. But why is Venus so bright?
September 17, 2023
Neptune at opposition September 18-19, 2023
Neptune at opposition - when it's 180 degrees from the sun on the sky's dome - comes early on September 19, 2023. You'll need optical aid to spot it.
September 17, 2023
Venus brightest in morning sky September 19, 2023
When is Venus brightest? It'll be brightest in the morning sky around September 19, 2023. Venus will not be this bright again until February and April of 2025.
September 15, 2023
Meteor shower guide: Up next October Draconids and Orionids
We've got several more meteor showers this year. Next up are the Draconids and Orionids in October, with Taurids mixed in. Your 2023 meteor shower guide here.
September 15, 2023
How many stars can you see on a moonless night?
Have you ever wondered how many stars are visible on a given night? It all depends on how dark your sky is, what your age is, and other limiting factors.
September 13, 2023
Mercury – up before sunrise – greatest elongation September 22
Mercury reaches its greatest elongation - greatest distance from the sunrise - on September 22. Look east at dawn. It'll brighten through early October.
September 11, 2023
