 | | Created for znamenski.spacecom@blogger.com | Web Version | | | |  | What's Up This Week? This week, the seasons shift. The sun crosses the celestial equator on Sept. 22, bringing the autumn equinox to the Northern Hemisphere. Neptune reaches opposition on Tuesday, shining at its brightest of the year, while the delicate crescent moon makes photogenic visits to Mars and Scorpius. Friday night highlights the Andromeda Galaxy, our closest galactic neighbor, while the weekend closes with a look back at history: the star that hosts the first known exoplanet. Here's what to watch for this week. Clear skies,
Daisy
Reference Editor, Space.com | |  | | (Starry Night) | At 2:19 p.m. EDT (18:19 GMT), the sun crosses the celestial equator, marking the equinox. Day and night are nearly equal in length, and the sun rises due east and sets due west. It's the official start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. | | | | |  | | (Starry Night) | The distant blue planet Neptune is opposite the sun and closest to Earth for 2025, glowing faintly at magnitude 7.8. It's a telescope target, but sharp-eyed observers under dark skies may glimpse it in binoculars. Look to the southeast after 9 p.m. local time, Neptune hovers just left of brighter Saturn. | | | | |  | | (Starry Night) | Look southwest after sunset for a young crescent moon hanging above the horizon. Mars will shine about a palm's width to its upper right, with Virgo's Spica nearby. Binoculars help catch the reddish planet before it sets an hour after sunset. | | | | |  | | (Starry Night) | | The famous spiral galaxy Messier 31 rises high in the northeast after dark. From a dark site, Andromeda is a faint smudge visible to the naked eye, but binoculars reveal its oval glow. Telescopes at low power show its companions M32 and M110. Use Cassiopeia's "arrow" of three stars to point the way. | | | | |  | | (Starry Night) | As dusk deepens, the waxing crescent moon drifts into the stars of Scorpius. Bright red Antares marks the scorpion's heart, glowing just to the moon's right. Watch as the constellation's claws and stinger emerge with the darkening sky. | | | | |  | | (Starry Night) | Near the Great Square of Pegasus lies the modest star 51 Pegasi, known as Helvetios. In 1995, astronomers discovered the first confirmed exoplanet orbiting it, Dimidium, a hot Jupiter half the mass of our own. A telescope won't reveal the planet, but spotting the host star connects you with one of astronomy's greatest breakthroughs. | | | | | | | Moon Calendar The moon begins its new cycle this week, reappearing as a thin crescent low in the western sky after sunset. This early waxing phase is a favorite for skywatchers: the crescent is delicate, often glowing with Earthshine — sunlight reflected back from our planet onto the moon's darkened face. On Sept. 24, the young moon pairs beautifully with Mars, while on Sept. 27, it drifts near Antares in Scorpius. These evenings are ideal for spotting the moon in its most photogenic form. Want to explore more? Check out our ultimate guide to observing the moon for tips and tools to get the most out of each phase. | | | | | | | Meteor Shower Alert! | Learn when, where, and how to see the Orionid meteor shower, peaking in late October this year. | | | | In The News | Astronomical fall begins on Sept. 22 as the sun moves southward across the celestial equator. | | | | Solar Eclipse | The partial solar eclipse was visible to over 16 million people when it darkened the sky over the Pacific on Sept. 21-22 | | | | Northern Lights Forecast | The latest aurora forecast for tonight help you make sure you're in the right place at the right time to see the northern lights. | | | | Your Amazing Astrophotos | See breathtaking images of September's blood moon total lunar eclipse from Egypt. | | | | Astronomy Kit and Accessories | Amazon Spring Deal Days are nearly here, we've rounded some of the best pre-sale offers. | | | Here are the best star projectors to enjoy a night sky experience from the comfort of your couch. They are often reduced, so keep your eyes open. | | | | Stay up-to-date on all things space science, news, and entertainment by subscribing to our newsletters. | |  | |  | Follow Night Sky This Week |  |  |  |  | | | | | Future US LLC © | | Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036. | | | | |
