Starry Night astronomical event calendar for September
By Nelson Daily Staff
For anyone who has ever been interested in the sky, then Taghum Starry Night program is the place to be.
During the month of September, there is plenty to see in the night sky at Taghum Community Hall — 5915 Taghum Hall Road by the old Taghum Bridge.
The Moon takes center stage this month. On September 27th we will have a Harvest Moon that is also at it’s closest perigee for 2015, ( the closest distance from us in it’s orbit around Earth), making it a so called “Super Moon”. To top it off, this Moon will be fully eclipsed.
When the Moon rises here in Nelson, most of the Moon will already be within the umbral shadow, (the full shadow) so we will miss seeing most of it slowly growing darker.
From 7:11 pm to 8:23 pm the Moon will be totally eclipsed and should appear dark red at the top, brightening to orange and deep yellow at the bottom.
From 8:23 pm to 9:27 pm, the Moon moves out of the umbral shadow and we can watch the Moon gradually brighten. From 9:27 pm to 10:22 pm the Moon moves through the penumbral shadow, (the outer or partial shadow) but it is very hard to detect the very subtle change in brightness and it really isn’t worthwhile staying to the end of the eclipse.
The public doesn’t need special equipment to watch the eclipse but if you would like to see it close up, I will have the telescopes set up for viewing at Taghum Hall.
The next total Lunar eclipse isn’t until January 31, 2018
Here is the Astronomical Event Calendar for September 2015.
Tuesday Sept. 1st — Neptune is at opposition, (it rises as the Sun sets) and it will be at it’s brightest for 2015 (magnitude 7.8). If you have a telescope and are at a site dark enough to detect the 4th magnitude star Lamba Aquarii with the naked eye, look for Neptune about 6 degrees southwest of Lambda Aquarii.
Friday Sept. 4th — Starry Night at Taghum Hall. Possibly the last chance for a decent look at Saturn for the year. Viewing starts around 8:30 pm.
Thursday Sept. 10th — Look low in the eastern predawn sky to see a thin crescent Moon 3 degrees from Venus and 5 degrees from Mars.
Saturday Sept. 12th to 26th — If you are in a dark location a few hours before dawn, you may see a pillar of zodiacal light in the eastern sky.
Friday Sept. 18th — Look for the crescent Moon 1.5 degrees above Saturn in the western sky early this evening.
Monday Sept. 21st — Venus will be at it’s brightest as a morning planet, (magnitude –4.8 ). Look for it low in the predawn eastern sky.
Wednesday Sept. 23rd — Fall begins at 1:21 am.
Friday Sept. 25th — Mars will be 3/4 of a degree above Leo’s bright star, Regulus, in the eastern sky this morning.
Sunday Sept. 27th — Total Lunar eclipse. The eclipse is in progress as it rises. I will have two telescopes set up at Taghum Hall around 6:30 pm for those who would like to see the eclipse close up.
Questions or comments about any of the following events, please contact me directly at sumfun@telus.net
