By the University of Texas
Sept. 21
The Moon is at first quarter today, one fourth of the way
through its month-long cycle of phases. Look for it passing through
the teapot-shaped constellation Sagittarius this evening.
By the University of Texas
Sept. 21
The Moon is at first quarter today, one fourth of the way through its month-long cycle of phases. Look for it passing through the teapot-shaped constellation Sagittarius this evening.
Sept. 22
Autumn arrives in the northern hemisphere today as the Sun crosses the equator from north to south – a moment known as the autumnal equinox. The days will continue to grow shorter and the Sun will move farther south along the horizon until the winter solstice in December.
Sept. 23
The planet Venus climbs high into the eastern sky before sunrise. It’s the “morning star,” which outshines all the other planets and stars in the night sky. Because of its brilliance, Venus represented several gods to the people of Mesoamerica.
Sept. 24
Look well up in the west as twilight fades this evening for one of the most commanding stars of the early autumn sky: Arcturus, in the constellation Bootes, the herdsman. It shines pale yellow-orange.
Sept. 25
The Moon swims through the Celestial Sea tonight – a region where the constellations relate to water. One of the most prominent stars in the Sea is Fomalhaut, the “mouth” of Piscis Austrinus, the southern fish. It stands almost directly below the Moon in mid evening.
Sept. 26
The Moon is almost full tonight. Sunlight illuminates almost the entire lunar hemisphere that faces Earth, so the Moon shines brightly. Countless impact craters pockmark the lunar surface, and a few are big enough to see with the
unaided eye.
