Photo: Kendall Hoopes, Pexels.
By Brooke Edwards
Summer is winding down, and the days are becoming shorter. Though many are disheartened by this change in the seasons, stargazers are rejoicing. With the sun now setting well before 9 p.m., there is plenty of time to stargaze before bedtime.
Saturn
What was exclusively an early morning object is now slowly beginning to rise earlier in the evening. Look to the east after sunset to catch this planet rising. To the unaided eye, Saturn will appear as an unusually bright, unmoving “star.” You will need the aid of a small telescope to see its amazing rings. The views of Saturn (and Jupiter) are worth the investment.
Jupiter
Another pre-midnight object is rising earlier in the evening for your viewing pleasure. Look eastward after 10 p.m. to catch Jupiter, the planet with many moons. Human eyes will see it as a super bright “star,” but binoculars will bring you views of its large moons. As Jupiter rises, Saturn will already be well into the southeast sky.
Mars
Mars rises in the eastern sky in the early morning hours. The planet with the red glow (due to its surface iron oxide) shines on night owls and early risers. Mars’ two moons are too small to be visible, but its stunning red color is enough to make you look up.
On September 16 and 17, Mars will be near the waning gibbous moon in the Taurus constellation. This is a rare occurrence. If you happen to look up both nights, you will notice Mars is on one side of the moon on the 16th and appears on the opposite side on the 17th. This is because the moon rises at different times each day.
Orion Constellation
Orion, the hunter, will be rising earlier in the morning as the month goes on. Look for the three stars in a row that are his belt, and the rest should become evident. Betelgeuse, the flashing red supergiant star that is Orion’s right shoulder, is also hard to miss. The star has been the center of speculation, with rumors that it may go supernova. Astronomers have dismissed these rumors, claiming there is no evidence the star will be exploding anytime soon.
Moon
September’s Full Harvest moon rises just after 5 a.m. on September 10. If you are an early riser, be sure to enjoy this beautiful once-a-month sight. With sunset occurring earlier, and planets and winter constellations returning to the scene, stargazing will only get better as the days progress. Let’s all hope for clear skies.
Brooke Edwards is a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador. She lives in Manistee and has given area presentations and hosted night-sky viewings at Fifth Avenue beach. “Like” her page on Facebook @Brooke-Edwards-Solar-System-Ambassador and follow brooke_of_stars on Instagram.
