Jupiter and Saturn are easy to spot in September’s evening sky.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Bright Jupiter and Saturn shine from the south-southeast sky this evening. The two giant planets are well-placed for viewing during the early evening.
The planets are 8.3° apart in eastern Sagittarius. Both are retrograding – moving westward compared to the starry background.
As the planets revolve around the sun, they move eastward compared to the starry background. While they rise in the east and set in the west from Earth’s rotation, each night they appear farther eastward compared to the stars.
As Earth catches up to and passes between the planets and the sun, they appear to move backward compared to the stars. This illusion is similar to the classic train impression where the passenger cannot at first determine which train is moving, the one they are occupying or the one adjacent to them. One seems to be moving compared to the other and the background through the windows.
Both planets end their retrograde this month. Jupiter ends its apparent backward motion on September 12, followed by Saturn, September 28.
Then Jupiter somewhat quickly closes the gap between them until the Great Conjunction of the two planets on December 21, 2020. This is the closest conjunction since the meeting in 1623. While other Jupiter – Saturn conjunctions have occurred during the following centuries, this year’s promises to be spectacular in its closeness.
Follow the progress of the planets in the starfield with a binocular. Jupiter is near Pi Sagittarii (π Sgr on the photo) and 50 Sagittarii (50 Sgr). Saturn is near 56 Sagittarii (56 Sgr).
If held steadily, up to four of Jupiter’s satellites are visible. In the photo at least two are captured. They appear as dim stars to each side of the planet.
This chart shows the positions of the planets compared to the stars mentioned above on September 15, 2020.
Mars is well-up in the eastern sky by 11 p.m. If you are outside during morning twilight, spot it high in the south. It’s the brightest “star” in the southern sky. On the evening of September 5 and the morning of September 6, the moon and Mars are close together in the sky.
Venus is low in the eastern sky before sunrise.
Here is a daily summary about the planets during August and September.
LATEST ARTICLES
- 2026, May 15: Venus Closes the Gap to Jupiter While Saturn Emerges Before Sunrise
May 15, 2026: Saturn emerges from bright morning twilight near a thin crescent moon, while Venus moves eastward between Taurus’ horns and closes in on Jupiter after sunset. - 2026, May 14: Venus Closes in on Jupiter While a Crescent Moon Guides Saturn Before Sunrise
May 14, 2026: A waning crescent moon points to Saturn before sunrise, while Venus moves past Taurus’ horns and closes the gap to Jupiter in the evening sky. - 2026, May 13: Crescent Moon Meets Saturn Before Sunrise While Venus Passes Taurus’ Horns Toward Jupiter
May 13, 2026: A thin crescent moon guides Saturn’s first morning appearance, while Venus passes between Taurus’ horns and closes in on Jupiter in the evening sky. - 2026, May 12: Saturn Returns before Sunrise, Crescent Moon Guides the Ringed Planet While Venus Targets Jupiter
May 12, 2026: Saturn makes its first morning appearance as a crescent moon guides the way before sunrise, while Venus moves between Taurus’ horns toward Jupiter after sunset. - 2026, May 11-15: Venus Between Taurus’ Horns as it Closes in on Jupiter
May 11-15, 2026: Venus passes between Taurus’ horns, Elnath and Zeta Tauri, while closing the gap to Jupiter in the western sky after sunset.