sky guide

5 astronomical events you can't miss in September 2022

by Jennifer Walter
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
crisserbug/E+/Getty Images

Shutterstock

As summer transitions to fall, keep an eye on the sky for signs of the changing seasons.

September will bring a stunning lunar event, plus the fall equinox.

Peter Olsen Photography/Moment/Getty Images

zhengshun tang/Moment/Getty Images

We’ll also have two close encounters with distant planets this month, and a few minor meteor showers to ring in the new season.

Shutterstock

Here are 5 cosmic events you don’t want to miss in September:

5. Aurigid meteor shower

You’ll have a chance to see shooting stars on September 1 — and later in the month.

Shutterstock

Josh Wallace / 500px/500Px Unreleased Plus/Getty Images

The Aurigids peak on the same night that the Perseid meteor shower ends.

And on September 9, another minor meteor shower called the September Epsilon Perseids will be at its peak.

4. Harvest Moon

It’ll be easy to spot the bright, full Moon in the early morning hours of August 10.

Shutterstock

Shutterstock

Since it’s the closest Full Moon to the fall equinox, it earns the title of Harvest Moon — and a few other nicknames too, like the Corn Moon and Barley Moon.

3. Neptune at opposition

On September 16, Earth’s orbit will swing between Neptune and the Sun, promising bright views of the ice giant.

NASA/JPL

NASA via Giphy

The faraway planet will be at the point closest to Earth in its orbit and reach its maximum brightness.

However, you’ll still need a telescope or binoculars to spot it.

2. Autumn equinox

The days are getting shorter in the Northern Hemisphere, and on September 22, we’ll have nearly the same amount of daylight as we do darkness.

VW Pics/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Shutterstock

The Sun will be just above Earth’s equator before it moves south, signaling the start of spring in the Southern Hemisphere.

1. Jupiter at Opposition

Keep an eye on the sky for the gas giant’s closest encounter with Earth on September 26.

NASA via Giphy

Shutterstock

The New Moon will fall the day before Jupiter’s opposition, promising dark skies for a brighter view of the planet.

More stories from Inverse

5 skywatching events you can’t miss in November 2022
By Jennifer Walter
October 2022 sky guide: 5 astronomical events you can't miss
By Jennifer Walter
Perseids, Supermoon, and more: 4 August 2022 sky events you don't want to miss
By Jennifer Walter