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September
SMTWTFS
      1
6:13
19:15
2
6:14
19:14
3
6:15
19:12
4
6:16
19:10
5
6:17
19:09
6
6:18
19:07
7
6:18
19:06
8
6:19
19:04
9
6:20
19:02
10
6:21
19:01
11
6:22
18:59
12
6:23
18:57
13
6:24
18:56
14
6:25
18:54
15
6:26
18:52
16
6:27
18:51
17
6:28
18:49
18
6:29
18:48
19
6:30
18:46
20
6:31
18:44
21
6:31
18:43
22
6:32
18:41
23
6:33
18:39
24
6:34
18:38
25
6:35
18:36
26
6:36
18:34
27
6:37
18:33
28
6:38
18:31
29
6:39
18:29
30
6:40
18:28
   
Sunrise times are shown in yellow.
Sunset times are shown in black.
The times shown are for Indianapolis, Indiana.
September Sky Highlights
Note: The Sky Maps page is no longer updated, but we left this page up to give people an idea of how the skies change each month. A great program for this is Starry Night, which we highly recommend.
 
Probably the biggest highlight of September is that, on September 22nd, Fall officially begins in the Northern Hemisphere and Spring begins in the Southern Hemisphere. This is called the Autumnal Equinox, which is when the Sun's path crosses our Equator. Regardless of what you may have heard or will hear today, this has nothing to do with being able to balance an egg on end. You can balance an egg on its end any time as long as you have patience.

It does mean that the days will continue to grow shorter as the month goes on. If you check the calendar at the right of the page, you can see that the days at the end of September are nearly an hour shorter than they are at the beginning of the month.

The Cassini Mission is sending back some amazing pictures and scientific information from Saturn. The mission continues to increase our knowledge of the ringed planet on a daily basis.

Saturn, Venus and even tiny Mercury are visible in the morning skies this month and you might even get a glimpse of Uranus and Neptune if you live where the skies are dark. Be sure to go outside and take a look!

The Planets in September
Mercury
Mercury makes an appearance in our morning skies for a few days during September. On the morning of September 1st, you will be able to see the tiny planet along with Saturn and Venus just before sunrise in the East.
Venus
Venus continues to be a beacon of light in the morning skies during September. On the morning of September 10th, look for Venus and Saturn very close to a slim old Moon just before dawn.
Mars
Mars is too close to the Sun for us to see during September. at sunset.
Jupiter
Jupiter will be hidden from us this month.
Saturn
Saturn pairs up with Venus in the early morning skies this month. On the morning of September 10th, you will be able to see the ringed planet along with Venus close to a slim old Moon before dawn.
Uranus
You might be able to spot Uranus using our map for September 19th. It's very dim, though and you will need dark skies and a small telescope to see it.
Neptune
You might be able to spot Neptune using our map for September 19th. It's very dim, though and you will need dark skies and a small telescope to see it.
Pluto
Pluto is visible during September, but it is a target for large telescopes only.

Sky Maps for September
The maps and charts we have show the view from Indianapolis, Indiana at the time indicated. As long as your location is fairly close in latitude to where Indianapolis is, your view should be about the same at approximately the same time. Remember, there's there's no substitute for going outside and looking up!


B & W Chart

Color Map
September 1st, 5:30am looking East
Look for Saturn, Venus and Mercury in the East just before danw this morning. You should also be able to see the constellations Gemini and Orion.


B & W Chart

Color Map
September 7th, 9:00pm looking South
You might be able to get a look at Uranus or Neptune tonight. You will need at least binoculars or a small telescope to see them, though, because they are both very dim


B & W Chart

Color Map
September 10th, 5:30am looking East
Look for Saturn, Venus, Mercury and a slim old Moon in the East just before danw this morning. You should also be able to see the constellations Gemini and Orion.


B & W Chart

Color Map
September 19th, 8:30pm looking West
Look for a slender young Moon next to Antares, the heart of the constellation Scorpius just after sunset this evening.

All the maps and charts at Astronomy for Kids are made with Starry Night

This entire site copyright © 2003 Astronomy for Kids - all rights reserved