September 24, 2026: Brilliant Venus shines through bright twilight while the Harvest Moon approaches Saturn. Before sunrise, Jupiter dominates the morning sky and Mars aligns with Castor and Pollux.
Category: Sky Watching
2026, September 23: Venus at Greatest Brilliancy
September 23, 2026: Venus reaches greatest brilliancy tonight as it moves toward inferior conjunction on October 23. Look for the brilliant Evening Star low in the west-southwest during evening twilight.
2026, September 22: Autumnal Equinox 2026: Daylight, the Ecliptic, and the Harvest Moon Effect
September 22, 2026: The autumnal equinox occurs today. Learn why daylight and darkness are not exactly equal, how the ecliptic changes angle with the horizon, and why the Harvest Moon rises at nearly the same time each evening.
2026, September 21: Harvest Moon Nights Begin as Venus and Jupiter Dominate the Sky
September 21, 2026: Venus nears its greatest brilliancy while the Harvest Moon grows brighter each evening. Saturn rises earlier as opposition approaches, and Jupiter and Mars dominate the predawn sky.
2026, September 19-23: Moon Waxes Toward Harvest Moon
September 19-23, 2026: The Waxing Gibbous Moon appears farther eastward in front of Sagittarius and Capricornus as the Harvest Moon approaches.
2026, September 19: Venus at Greatest Illuminated Extent: Evening Crescent Grows Larger
September 19, 2026: Venus reaches its greatest illuminated extent tonight, appearing larger through a telescope while showing an evening crescent phase. Learn why the Evening Star shines so brilliantly before sunset.
2026, September 17: Mars Passes Pollux Before Sunrise: Watch the Red Planet Align With Twins
September 17, 2026: Before sunrise, Mars passes Pollux in a wide conjunction while Jupiter shines from Cancer. Follow the Red Planet’s eastward march against Gemini as it closes the gap with Jupiter.
2026, September 16: Venus After Sunset, Moon Near Antares, Saturn Near Opposition, Jupiter and Mars Before Sunrise
September 16, 2026: Brilliant Venus shines low in evening twilight while the crescent moon appears near Antares. Saturn nears opposition, and Jupiter and Mars are in the eastern predawn sky.
2026, September 15-18: Moon Passes Antares: Earthshine, Scorpius, and the Harvest Moon Path
2026, September 15-18: Watch the waxing crescent moon pass Antares, Scorpius, Ophiuchus, and Sagittarius. See earthshine, photograph the lunar crescent, and follow the moon’s path toward the Harvest Moon.
2026, September 14: Lunar Crescent Near Venus, Jupiter and Mars Before Sunrise
September 14, 2026: The crescent moon appears near Venus after sunset while Jupiter and Mars shine before sunrise. Saturn nears opposition, Uranus is easy to locate near the Pleiades, and Neptune remains a challenging binocular target.