Janice R. Andrews
As we move into autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, September brings cooler weather and the start of a new season. But before autumn really starts, the sky has a few amazing events planned for people who love stargazing. The “Super Harvest Moon Eclipse” will be the last amazing celestial event of the summer. It will end a month full of amazing astronomical events. Put these three events on your calendar right away.
In opposition to Saturn, there is a bright spot in the night sky.
Sunday, September 8, is when Saturn will be at its brightest, making September the best month to see it. At this time, Saturn will be in opposition, which means it will be straight across the sky from the sun. This will make it visible all night. At this time, Saturn will also be closest to Earth, giving stargazers all over the world a great chance to see this huge planet. You can see Saturn without a telescope, but if you do, you’ll get a beautiful view of its rings and some of its biggest moons. Any clear night in September is great for seeing Saturn, even after the peak.
Super Harvest Moon Eclipse: A Pleasure in the Sky
The last full moon of the summer will be one of a kind because it will have a “Super Harvest Moon Eclipse.” At 10:44 p.m. EDT on September 18, this partial lunar eclipse will happen. A part of the moon will pass through Earth’s shadow. Most of North America, except for western Alaska, will be able to see the event. People in South America, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East will also be able to see it. This full moon isn’t just any full moon; it’s a supermoon, which means it looks a little bigger than normal because it’s so close to Earth. It is important because it is the Harvest Moon and the full moon closest to the fall equinox. The name “Super Harvest Moon Eclipse” might sound exciting, but the event itself should be beautiful.
The Autumnal Equinox: The Start of a New Season
With the fall equinox coming up, summer nights are getting shorter. The exact time of the equinox in 2024 will be 8:43 a.m. EDT on Sunday, September 22, which will mark the start of fall. This year’s equinox is earlier than normal, marking the first day of autumn in the sky since 1796. After this event, nights will get longer than days in the Northern Hemisphere. This will make it easier to look at the stars in the cool autumn air. In the Southern Hemisphere, on the other hand, the equinox marks the start of spring.
Get ready for a month of amazing things to see in the sky, and mark these times to see the last cosmic events of the summer.
