Tuesday, September 20
When you have a small telescope and a while round midnight, tonight is the right night time to search out the Southern Cigar Galaxy (NGC 55). Situated in southern Sculptor, this Eighth-magnitude galaxy is without doubt one of the sky’s brightest. However it lies near the southern horizon for Northern Hemisphere observers, making it a bit difficult to identify. You’ll want a transparent view of the horizon; an elevated observing website is even higher.
At present, this area will get highest above the horizon round 1 A.M. — simply earlier than the Moon rises, so our satellite is conveniently out of sight. Look first for magnitude 2.4 Ankaa (Alpha Phoenicis) in Phoenix. The Southern Cigar lies just below 4° northwest of this star.
Take your time with this lengthy, skinny goal, and also you’ll discover that the galaxy’s vibrant core seems barely offset from its middle, to the west. In total, the galaxy measures some 30′ lengthy (the identical width because the Full Moon!) by 6.3′ large. Use averted imaginative and prescient to see should you can pick the dust lanes that cut up the galaxy’s arms.
Dawn: 6:46 A.M.
Sundown: 7:00 P.M.
Moonrise: 1:09 A.M.
Moonset: 4:47 P.M.
Moon Section: Waning crescent (25%)
Wednesday, September 21
Generally, it feels just like the names astronomers give objects within the sky are a little bit off base. However different occasions, they’re spot on — and that’s the case with the planetary nebula popularly often called the Blue Snowball. Situated in northern Andromeda, this compact shell of fuel blown off by a dying star can also be cataloged as NGC 7662.
You’ll desire a bigger scope to view this one — 8 inches or extra — should you can swing it. To find the Blue Snowball, look northeast after darkish and discover 4th-magnitude Iota (ι) Andromedae. The Blue Snowball is simply over 2° west-southwest of this star, rather less than midway between Iota and close by Omicron (ο) Andromedae.
At simply 2′ throughout, NGC 7662 is sufficiently small that its magnitude 9 glow doesn’t get too unfold out, offering a vibrant sufficient goal to stimulate your eyes’ light-sensing cells, which is why it seems significantly blue. Simply how blue, nonetheless, is within the eye of the beholder, so see what shade you assume suits it greatest. For those who’ve obtained observing buddies, evaluate your opinion with theirs — they may differ!
Dawn: 6:47 A.M.
Sundown: 6:59 P.M.
Moonrise: 2:09 A.M.
Moonset: 5:23 P.M.
Moon Section: Waning crescent (17%)
Thursday, September 22
Though the primary day of meteorological autumn is September 1, the astronomical season doesn’t kick off till later within the month. The autumnal equinox happens as we speak at 9:04 P.M. EDT.
The equinox is the date when the Solar’s path passes straight above the equator, marking the start of autumn within the Northern Hemisphere (and spring within the Southern Hemisphere). You’ve possible seen the Solar is beginning to rise later and set earlier in preparation for longer winter nights — which, though chilly, are wonderful for lengthy observing sessions.
Tonight because the Solar is setting, the grand constellation Pegasus the Winged Horse is rising within the east. Pegasus is the seventh-largest constellation total and the second largest of the autumn constellations, proper behind Cetus the Whale. An hour or two after sundown, as soon as the sky grows darkish, see if you could find the Nice Sq. of Pegasus sitting due east and drawn by connecting the celebrities Markab, Scheat, Algenib, and Alpheratz.
Inside Pegasus sits an object that many contemplate autumn’s showpiece globular cluster: M15. It lies simply 4° west-northwest of Enif, Pegasus’ nostril star. Glowing at magnitude 6.2, binoculars or any small scope will present this 12′-wide ball of historical stars; the upper the magnification, the extra particular person suns you’ll resolve.
Dawn: 6:48 A.M.
Sundown: 6:57 P.M.
Moonrise: 3:12 A.M.
Moonset: 5:52 P.M.
Moon Section: Waning crescent (10%)
