September brings a busy lineup for skywatchers, including a dazzling Venus, a Harvest Moon near Saturn and Neptune, the seasonal equinox, and opportunities to use the Moon as a guide to some recognizable stars and Milky Way features. September offers a little bit of everything in the evening sky. The Moon helps point the way to a celestial teapot, Venus becomes exceptionally bright, the seasons officially turn, and the Harvest Moon appears with two planetary companions.
Follow the Moon to Antares and Sagittarius Between September 14 and 20, the Moon can serve as a useful guide to several notable sights in the night sky. About an hour after sunset, face south and locate the Moon. Its position will change from one evening to the next as it moves against the more distant background stars.
Along the way, it will pass close to Antares. Antares is a bright reddish star that represents the heart of the constellation Scorpius. Nearby in the constellation Sagittarius is another easy-to-recognize pattern of stars known as the Teapot.
Its stars form a shape that resembles a teapot, including a handle, lid, and spout. From a location with especially dark skies, you might also notice a faint, cloudy band that appears to rise like steam from the Teapot's spout. Trace that hazy glow toward its densest region, and you will be looking in the direction of the center of the Milky Way galaxy.
On September 18, turn toward the west to see Venus at peak brilliance during this evening appearance. The planet should be easy to identify. Not long after sunset, Venus will appear as an intensely bright point of light low above the western horizon, shining more brightly than any star around it.
An unobstructed view toward the horizon will make it easier to see before Venus disappears below it. September 19 is International Observe the Moon Night. People around the globe are encouraged to spend time observing our nearest celestial neighbor while learning about lunar science, exploration, and the Moon's influence on cultures throughout history.
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