Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars Visible This Month: Here's How to See Them
September may not have a major or dazzling meteor shower but it does have something else for those who love to sky gaze.
Before the nights get too cold for heading out into the dark to catch a view of the Milky Way or some shooting stars, September has quite a sight in store. There will be several planets in position to be visible throughout the month with the help of a telescope or binoculars, according to NASA.
Different planets will be visible throughout the month but depending on when viewers head outside they might be able to see Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Venus or a combination of several planets.
Some of the planets will be best viewed with the help of a telescope, but as long as the weather is clear and the clouds aren't blocking the view, they shouldn't disappoint.
Venus, one of Earth's closest neighbors, will be visible soon after the sun sets but will become more and more difficult to spot as the month goes on, according to NASA. Binoculars or a telescope will help viewers see how the planet becomes less visible as the month goes on as it changes from being about half visible to being a crescent shape. If viewers look southwest throughout the month they'll be able to catch a glimpse of Jupiter, Saturn and Mars—all of which were also visible in August. Viewers should look southwest after sunset to see the planets, according to NASA.
As the month proceeds, the moon will move from being near Venus at the start of the month around September 10 to the other side of the line of planets to where Mars is visible, according to NASA. It will be September 20 when the moon ends up slightly to the left of Mars.
Mercury will be best spotted at 1 a.m. local time wherever a viewer is, and it'll be situated above the horizon line in the southeastern part of the sky, according to NASA. The moon will help guide the eye to Mercury on the nights of September 7 and 8.
Some of the constellations like Sagittarius and Aquila will also be visible to those viewing in dark conditions with little light pollution. They'll help trace the lines of the Milky Way for those looking to identify it.
