Welcome to Bintel’s night sky guide for September, where we give you a few suggestions on what to view to make the most out of your telescope, binoculars or even just your evenings gazing up at the stars. We’ll provide you with a quick rundown of the planets, lunar viewing and dive straight into some deep sky objects!

 

The biggest news this month of course is the Lunar Eclipse (also known as a “Blood Moon”) happening this month. Keep reading and we’ll tell you the best time to see it for where you’re observing from.

The Moon

For lunar phases this month we’ve got a full moon on the 8^th of September, third quarter on the 14^th, a new moon on the 22^nd and first quarter on the 29^th. The week of the new moon will be your best chance for imaging, since you won’t have the Moons’ glow interrupting any of your views of these objects! The Moon will wash out most of these objects in the first week of the month between 6:30-7:30pm, so we recommend keeping this week for lunar observing before you dive into deep sky objects.

 

Cross your fingers for clear skies in the first week of September, because there will be a total solar eclipse, visible from all of Australia on the morning of September the 8th! (and only some of New Zealand, sorry New Zealand!) This event happens in stages; the Moon passes through the Earth’s outer shadow (penumbra), followed by the inner shadow (umbra), when the Moon starts to become a red-orange colour. The Moon will pass through the centre of the shadow before making its way out, ending the eclipse. The most interesting part is the cross over and the total eclipse, so be sure to watch the west skies early in the morning. Here is the timing for a few major cities around Australia:

Sydney, Brisbane & Melbourne

 Partial Eclipse (Moon starts getting red); 2:27am

Total Eclipse begins (Moon is completely red); 3:30am

Maximum Eclipse (Moon is in the centre of the shadow); 4:11am

Total Eclipse ends (Moon starts to leave earths umbra); 4:52am

Eclipse ends (Moon is completely out of Earth’s shadow); 5:56am

Adelaide & Darwin

 Partial Eclipse (Moon starts getting red); 1:57am

Total Eclipse begins (Moon is completely red); 3:00am

Maximum Eclipse (Moon is in the centre of the shadow); 3:41am

Total Eclipse ends (Moon starts to leave earths umbra); 4:22am

Eclipse ends (Moon is completely out of Earth’s shadow); 5:26am

Perth

 Partial Eclipse (Moon starts getting red); 12:27am

Total Eclipse begins (Moon is completely red); 1:30am

Maximum Eclipse (Moon is in the centre of the shadow); 2:11am

Total Eclipse ends (Moon starts to leave earths umbra); 2:52am

Eclipse ends (Moon is completely out of Earth’s shadow); 3:56am

Check where to look for Sydney above. You can download this map here.

If you’d like to know what it will look like from your location, you can check out the path and visibility calculator here.

What Planets can I see?

Just like August, planets in September are typically rising with the sun, taking them out of our list for what’s in the (night) sky. Jupiter makes a very brief appearance in the north-east before being washed out by sunlight, Mars gets a little too low for most observers in the west, any trees will likely block this red gem from your view, and Mercury and Venus are flying too close to the sun to be seen.

SATURN

Saturn will be in opposition on the 21^st of this month. Opposition is when the planet and the Sun are on opposite sides of the Earth to each other, meaning this is when the planet is at it’s closest to the Earth and thus will appear biggest. This makes September this year one of the best months to view the planet, as it’ll be around 10% bigger than when we first started talking about Saturn in June.

• Best observing: Saturn can be seen in the east from 8pm but is best viewed from 10pm-11:30pm.

NEPTUNE

Neptune is still hanging around Saturn, sitting a tad closer to the horizon than Saturn. You’ll know by now Neptune isn’t stealing the show for its visual appeal, but Neptune's great distance makes it a bucket list object for all astronomers. 

• Best observing: The same as Saturn, Neptune can be seen in the east from 8pm but is best viewed from 10pm-11:30pm.

URANUS

Uranus is much like Neptune in the way that it’s unassuming when viewed, and most of the joy you get from viewing it comes from your knowledge. While looking for it in the north, keep in mind you’re looking at the first planet discovered with the aid of a telescope. Not only that, but Uranus is the only planet tipped on its side, making it the planet with the most extreme seasons. These little facts remind us that its not always what you see that makes the view worth it!

• Best observing: Uranus will be visible from about 2 am from the start of the month, however, the best time to view it is from 3am-4:30am. Uranus will start to rise earlier and earlier throughout the month, so aim for the end of the month for the best views.

 

What Deep sky Objects can I see?

With the lack of planets to view, its time for deep sky objects to shine. Most astronomers will know that the biggest adversary for deep sky viewing this time of year (aside from the cold) is the Moon. When the Moon passes through the band of the Milky Way, depending on its phase, it’s so bright it can wash out a lot of dimmer objects like galaxies and nebula. Despite this, we get a few good weeks where the Moon won’t be in the way. We’ve got some fabulous objects for you to check out, so grab your gear and lets get viewing!

If you'd Like to download the above to help you find these objects, you can do so here.

Small Sagittarius Star Cloud (M24):

Image Credit: ESO/S. Guisard (www.eso.org/~sguisard)

Unlike most objects we discuss here, M24 isn’t one defined thing but instead a cloud of stars that gives a deeper look into the Sagittarius arm of the Milky Way. M24 is home to a variety of stars spanning different magnitudes and colours, making it a visually appealing cluster of jewel like stars. While observing the cloud, see if you can spot the brightest star, a white supergiant (designated HD 167356), a variable star whose brightness fluctuates as it rotates. Keep your eye out for the open cluster within the star cloud, NGC 6603, which may be hard to distinguish at first glance, but impossible not to notice once you see it. For something a little more challenging, see if you can locate some of the dark nebulae within the cloud, namely Barnard 92 and Barnard 93. 

This also serves as your reminder that September is the last month where you’ll be able to see the full length of the Milky Way span right overhead.

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When and Where to see it:

You’ll be able to see Sagittarius star cloud all month after 6:30pm next to well, the constellation Sagittarius of course, and is best viewed from 7pm-8pm between the 7^th and 14^th in the north, along with the Milky Way, which will be best visible during the same times.

 

Eagle Nebula (The Pillars of Creation) (M16):

Image Credit: ESO

Most astronomers will be familiar with the Eagle Nebula, M16, not for the entire nebula itself but rather what lies inside. The Eagle Nebula is home to the Pillars of Creation, made famous made famous by the incredible Hubble Space Telescope image of it, but the Pillars can actually be photographed even with fairly modest imaging equipment. Even the most preliminary of images brings out incredible detail, it’s no surprise that M16 is a well-known favourite. There is also an easy to spot open cluster sitting just below the Eagles ‘wing’, which is filled with massive, young, hot stars, and is home to the brightest star in the nebula, a binary star system (designated HD 168076).

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When and Where to see it:

The Eagle Nebula can be seen from 6:30pm onwards all month, between the constellations of Scutum and Sagittarius, best seen between 7pm-8pm in the second week of September, high in the north.

 

Omega Nebula (M17):

Image Credit: ESO

Now lets look at the Omega Nebula, also known as Swan Nebula or M17. This HII region is one of the largest star forming regions, it holds some of the youngest star clusters, which are often obscured by the brilliant nebula we see. Thanks to the Omega Nebula being relatively east to see visually, it has a long history of being sketched and observed, giving it a paper trail from initial sketches in the 1800’s.

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When and Where to see it:

Just like the Eagle Nebula before, the Omega Nebula can be seen between Archer and Shield from 6:30pm onwards and will be best viewed from the 7^th-14^th, around 7pm-8pm, up in the north.

 

Ring Nebula (M57):

Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and C. Robert O’Dell (Vanderbilt University).

The Ring Nebula, or M57, is probably the most famous planetary nebula in the sky, and for good reason, its ring shape is clear to see in telescopes larger than 6 inches, and offers a stunning glimpse into a star’s final stages. Planetary nebulae are formed when a dying star sheds its outer layers, creating a glowing ring of gas and dust. For the Ring Nebula, this occurred face on, allowing us to see ring shape in all it’s glory.

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When and Where to see it:

 This target is low in the constellation Lyra in the north, and needs a fairly clear northern horizon. For the best chance to observe or photograph it, get a clear view facing north at 7pm around the middle of the month, when the Moon is nowhere to be seen.

 

Cacciatore Cluster (C78):

We also suggest checking out Cacciatore Cluster, or C78. This old globular cluster hosts intriguing blue stragglers, stars that are hotter and bluer than expected for their age. Unlike typical older, redder stars, blue stragglers don’t follow normal evolution. Their origin remains a mystery, with theories ranging from stellar collisions to star mass stealing. When observing such objects, it’s a reminder of the fascinating, still-unknown science in our extraordinary universe.

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When and Where to see it:

Cacciatore cluster sits in a patch of sky between the constellations of Telescopium and Scorpius, viewable from 6:30pm and best viewed from 7:30pm-8:30pm in the same week as the others, 7^th-14^th.

 

 

Great Sagittarius Cluster (M22):

Image Credit: ESO/VVVX survey

Next we suggest looking at one of the first globular clusters to ever be discovered; the Great Sagittarius Cluster. This bright cluster is one of only four globular clusters known to contain a planetary nebula, and in 2012 two black holes were discovered by the Very Large Array radio telescope, making it a cluster with more to it than meets the eye!

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When and Where to see it:

M22 is located at the head of the constellation Sagittarius of course, and is visible all month from 6:30pm onwards, best viewed between 7pm-8pm when its high in the sky and there’s no Moon to interrupt.

 

Wild Duck Cluster (M11):

Image Credit: ESO

Finally we come to the Wild Duck Cluster, an open cluster lucky enough to be imaged by HST, courtesy of its high density and composition. This cluster can be seen with the naked eye, though is best viewed through a telescope.

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When and Where to see it:

Located right next to the constellation Scutum, this cluster can be seen from 6:30pm onwards, but is best viewed between 7:30pm-8:30pm all month long.

 

That’s it for our guide this month. Make sure to earmark the morning of September 8 for the total lunar eclipse, the standout event of the season. While you’re out, take in Saturn’s narrowing rings and, on clearer nights, turn your attention to the Eagle Nebula to glimpse the famous Pillars of Creation.