THIS month, as daylight grows a little shorter by the day, the autumn sky will have a lot to offer, both for beginners in stargazing and the more experienced observer.
Sadly, our companion, during what has been an exceptional summer, becomes lost in the evening twilight during the month of September, with Jupiter also close to becoming consumed by the glare of the sunset.
However, Mars marches on, although as the distance between us and the red planet increases, the planet will begin to dim somewhat as time progresses.
Saturn remains on view in the southwest, and for any early risers, Mercury can be seen in the east-northeast before sunrise.
That said, you’ll have to be extremely sharp, as we have a little over half an hour to spot the planet before the sun rises.
Armed with a star chart and, at the very least, a small telescope, September offers the chance to spot a visitor to our neighbourhood, Comet Giacobini-Zinner.
Discovered by Michael Giacobini, in December 1900, and later rediscovered by Ernst Zinner, the comet makes its closest approach to the Sun before mid-month.
If you don’t have any optical aid there's no need to despair, as there’s a possibility the comet will even be visible to the naked eye.
You can track the comet's live positional data by visiting: https://theskylive.com/21p-info
Feel free to send and photographs and event information to me at: TheNightSky@themoon.co.uk
Moon phases: Third Quarter September 3rd; New Moon September 9th; First Quarter September 17th; Full Moon September 25th.
At the start of September the sun rises at 6.24am and sets at 7.58pm, but this will change as we progress into winter.
At the end of September the sun will rise at 7.10am and set at 6.52pm.
Don’t forget to catch me with Tales from the Eyepiece in the Sky at Night magazine and online at www.skyatnightmagazine.com
Cosmic Debris, is available at www.springer.com
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