The Visible Planets
Mercury is not visible from our latitude this month. However, observers in the southern hemisphere will see Mercury low in the west-southwestern sky at sunset, providing one of the best opportunities this year for southern hemisphere observers to observe this planet.
Venus may be visible with some difficulty very low above the southwestern horizon early in the month, but then then disappears into the glare of the setting Sun and is not visible from our latitude for the rest of the month.
Mars rises at about 1:30 am local time early in the month toward the northeastern horizon and then by 1:00 am by the end of the month. Mars, over the month, can be seen moving from the constellation of Gemini, the twins, into the adjacent constellation of Cancer, the crab. It can be seen below the two bright stars of Gemini, Castor and Pollux, on the nights from September 6 to 25. In the predawn hours of September 6, look for Mars below the waning crescent Moon.
Jupiter rises along the northeast horizon at around 4:00 a.m. at the start of the month and by 3:00 a.m. at the end of the month. It starts the month located within the constellation of Cancer, the crab, but then moves into the adjacent constellation of Leo, the lion, starting on September 24. Jupiter will be near the waning crescent Moon during the predawn hours on September 8.
Saturn is seen rising along the eastern horizon at sunset, traversing the southern sky through the night, and then setting along the western horizon by the time of sunrise. Saturn will be at opposition on October 4, so September and October will provide prime viewing periods for Saturn. During the month, Saturn is seen just skirting the boundary between the constellations of Pisces, the fish, and Cetus, the sea monster. Look for Saturn near the Moon on the evenings of September 26.n.
Moon Phases
September 4 Last Quarter Moon
September 10 New Moon
September 18 First Quarter Moon
September 26 Full Moon (The Harvest Moon or Corn Moon)
Special Events
International Space Station (ISS) Observable Passes
During the month of September there will be several favourable passes of the ISS. From September 3 to September 4, observable passes of the ISS will be found in our predawn morning sky. From September 9 to September 27, more favourable early evening passes will be seen between 7:00 pm and 11:59 pm. Exact times of these passages for your location can be found by visiting the website http://www.heavens-above.com or by using satellite tracking smart phone apps like Sputnik or Spot-the-Station.
Late September CSA Astronaut, Joshua Kutryk, launches to the International Space Station on Crew-13 in late September (TBA). TELUS World of Science – Edmonton may be doing a watch party for launch. Keep an eye on our social media feeds for more information as it becomes available.
September 7 Labour Day holiday
September 8 Lunar occultation of Jupiter by the Moon in the daytime sky.
Occultation occurs between 12:08 pm and 1:07 pm MDT.
A telescope is needed to try and see this event.
September 14 Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) Edmonton Centre meeting.
Presented virtually through Zoom. No in-person meeting at the TELUS World of Science – Edmonton, as it remains closed due to flooding repairs.
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm. Free for anyone to attend via Zoom.
Check http://www.edmontonrasc.com for more details.
September 8 to 13 Northern Prairie Star Party 2024
Black Nugget Lake,
Check https://edmontonrasc.com/northern-prairie-star-party/ for details.
September 19 International Observe the Moon Night (fall)
Check out the RASC Observatory on both Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19, for moon viewing between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm.
September 22 Fall equinox occurs at exactly 6:05 pm MDT
September 25 Neptune at opposition
September 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Canada)