Actual Astronomy - The Observer's Calendar for September

Hosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan who enjoy teaching astronomy classes and showing the public views through their telescopes. [email protected]

In Episode 549 of Actual Astronomy, hosts Chris and Shane present the Observer's Calendar for September 2026, highlighting key celestial events for amateur astronomers throughout the month. Highlights include the Sept 1 Aurigids meteor shower peak, a Venus-Spica conjunction on Sept 2, two regional star parties in early September, and a Moon occultation of Jupiter on Sept 8. Observing targets throughout the month feature various lunar features like the Lunar X and Straight Wall, deep-sky objects, multiple carbon stars, Neptune reaching opposition on Sept 25, and the Harvest Full Moon on Sept 26.

Sept 1: Aurigids peak (ZHR=10) predawn; γ Del double star; M27 well placed in evening

Sept 2: Venus 1.7° South of Spica

Sept 4: Last Quarter Moon (2:11)

Sept 5: Lunar X visible

Sept 6: Alberta Star Party begins; Mars 3° South of Moon; Moon at perigee; NGC 6781 well placed; B142/3 well placed; Carbon star W Orionis in pre-dawn

Sept 7: Labour Day; M71 well placed; Carbon star HK Lyr in evening

Sept 8: Northern Prairie Star Party begins; Moon occults Jupiter (2:58 pm); M27 well placed; Max R Aql (9:00 pm); Star Trek 60th anniversary

Sept 9: NGC 6905 well placed; Carbon star RV Mon in pre-dawn; Zodiacal Light in E before morning twilight

Sept 10: New Moon (23:27); Uranus Stationary; Old crescent Moon in E before sunrise; M39, M29 well placed

Sept 11: Veil Neb well placed

Sept 12: NGC 7000 well placed

Sept 13: NGC 6946 well placed

Sept 14: Venus 0.5° South of Moon; IC 5146 well placed; Carbon star U Cyg in evening

Sept 15: NGC 6819 well placed

Sept 16: NGC 6826 well placed

Sept 17: First Quarter Moon (18:44)

Sept 18: Venus greatest illuminated extent;

Sept 19: Lunar Straight Wall this evening; Two shadows on Jupiter visible (9:03 pm)

Sept 20: Follow Capella unaided into daylight this week

Sept 22: Autumnal Equinox (12:00 am); Jeweled Handle (12:00 am)

Sept 24: Crater Billy (9:00 pm)

Sept 25: Neptune at opposition;

Sept 26: Full Moon / Harvest Moon (12:49); Two shadows on Jupiter (10:56 pm); Mare Orientale (9:00 pm); Crater Einstein (4:00 am); Carbon star V Cyg in evening

Sept 30: 192 Nausikaa at opposition (m=8.4)

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