The full moon will likely be joined within the night time sky by Jupiter and Neptune on Saturday (Sept. 10).
The full moon will likely be seen at 5:58 a.m. EDT (0958 GMT) on Saturday (Sept. 10). The moon is seen for many of the night time at the moment of the month, rising near nightfall and setting simply earlier than daybreak. The moon formally turns into a full moon when it seems within the sky totally reverse (180 levels from) the sun.
September’s full moon can be referred to as the Harvest Moon within the Northern Hemisphere, as this full moon falls close to the autumnal equinox, which historically marks the start of the harvest season. The full moon this month may even seem within the sky shut to 2 of its celestial companions in our solar system, Jupiter and Neptune.
Associated: Harvest Moon 2022: When and how to see September’s full moon
Jupiter will seem significantly vibrant this month as a result of it’s at opposition, that means Earth is between the large planet and the sun. Jupiter will likely be vibrant sufficient all through the month to be seen with the bare eye, however will present a spectacular sight by binoculars or a yard telescope. Jupiter will seem round 8 levels to the left of the moon at midnight, then shift to roughly 6 levels above the moon by 5:47 a.m. EDT (0947 GMT), in line with NASA Science’s Daily Skywatching Guide (opens in new tab). (A fist at arm’s size corresponds to roughly 10 levels within the sky.)
Neptune may even seem within the sky, though the distant ice giant won’t be practically as vibrant and visual as Jupiter. Neptune will rise simply after 10:00 p.m. EDT (0200 GMT on Sept. 11) and can journey westward all through the sky in the direction of the southeastern stars of the Aries constellation. The planet will likely be round 4.5 levels northwest of the moon, however one other strategy to spot Neptune will likely be to search for the medium-bright star 20 Piscium just a few finger widths above the moon; Neptune will likely be simply to the west of it.
Neptune will likely be considerably faint with a magnitude of seven.8, and the brilliant full moon will make it much more tough to view; Neptune will likely be considerably brighter on the next nights and will likely be at its brightest when it reaches opposition on Friday, Sept. 16.
You’ll be able to take a look at our guides for the best binoculars and the best telescopes to identify the Harvest Moon, Jupiter, Neptune or every other celestial objects within the night time sky. If you happen to’re hoping to seize a superb picture of the moon, take a look at our suggestions for the very best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography.Â
Editor’s Observe: If you happen to snap a photograph of the Harvest Moon close to Jupiter and Neptune and wish to share it with House.com’s readers, ship your picture(s), feedback, and your identify and placement to spacephotos@space.com.Â
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