Realm of Darkness
An audible read version of this article is available
Published: 26th August 2022
August has seen the nights getting longer, in the north of the planet. And the darker mornings have definitely been noticeable
Hopefully allowing us to view more in the night time heavens
September also provides a chance to get a better opportunity to view some of the planets, in our solar system
Second Week
Wednesday, 7th September
Moon at Perigee
Our enemy the Moon reaches perigee. This means that the Moon is at its closest point to the Earth in September, due to the Moon's orbit being elliptical
Thus the Moon will appear slightly larger and brighter
The Moon is in its waxing phase, and will shortly reach a Full Moon
Moonrise occurs at around 7:00PM, if you want to view it, as it sneaks into fullness over the next few days
Saturday, 10th September
Full Moon
Saturday the 10th of September, means that the Full Moon occurs
And while still our enemy, the Moon provides a suitable object to practice our astronomy and astrophotography skills on. Whether you are just getting started, or have been involved for a long time
The September Full Moon, also known as a Harvest Moon. Probably due to the fact that it allowed farmers to continue harvesting crops, after Sunset
Begins to rise, at around eight o’clock in the evening. Finally setting at around 7:30 AM, the next day, about an hour after sunrise
Third Week
Friday, 16th September
Neptune at Opposition
Friday means that Neptune reaches opposition
Being in opposition means that Neptune is on the same side of the Sun as Earth, and is in alignment with Earth
The side facing the Sun will receive Sunlight, with the nightside of Earth facing Neptune
Neptune is also at its closest point to Earth, and thus is ideal for viewing
The best time to start viewing is from around 22:00, at 21° above the horizon in a south westerly direction
Fourth Week
Friday, 23rd September
September Equinox
The September Equinox occurs on Friday the 23rd of September and means that both half of Earth, will receive an equal amount of light
Although it will occur at around 2:00 in the morning, so won’t be visible in the UK
It also signifies the astronomical end of Summer, or the end of Winter, if you live on the south half of the planet
Thus ensuring the continuation into darkness, for my Lords and Ladies on the north of the planet
Fifth Week
Sunday, 25th September
New Moon
Sunday the 25th, means the occurrence of a New Moon, allowing you to view more of the Universe, without the Moonlight
The Moon will set at around 7:10 PM, before rising at about 7:20 AM the next day
Monday, 26th September
Jupiter at Opposition
Monday 26th September means that Jupiter is in opposition
Jupiter enters opposition at around 8:00 PM, but will be visible through the night
Reaching a high point of 36° above the horizon, at about one o’clock in the morning
Opposition means that it is on the same side of the Sun as Earth, thus improving the viewing potential of Jupiter
Tuesday, 27th September
Daytime Sextantid Meteor Shower
Tuesday the 27th of September means the Sextantid Meteor Shower reaches its peak
Although it is visible from the 9th of September, through to the 9th of October,
It reaches its highest point at around 11:00 AM, thus is why is called a daytime meteor shower.
Unless you have the equipment and knowledge, to photograph during the day, it won’t be visible. However, it can be viewed for a couple of hours before sunrise, visible from about 4:45 in the morning
Its ZHR (Zenith Hourly Rate) is a lowly 5, so only a few meteors per hour are likely
Planet Spotting
If you want to know when is the best time to view a particular planet. Or want to know when is the best opportunity, to view the planets of our Solar system
Then this guide will aid you in your planet-spotting aspirations
Mercury
At the beginning of September, Mercury is less easy to view
But as the month passes it will be easier to spot, with your best chance of viewing it towards the end of September
Visible in a north-easterly to easterly direction through September, as the Sun is rising
Venus
In September Venus will be visible as the Sun is rising, in an easterly direction
Mars
Mars will be visible in September, visible from the late evening, until the early mornings
Mars can be located in a south-easterly to a southerly direction
Jupiter
During September Jupiter reaches opposition, towards the end of the month. Meaning it should provide a great opportunity to view
But will be visible through the nights of September, locatable in an easterly to south-easterly location
Saturn
Saturn should be a good planet to view in the evenings of September
Located in a south-easterly to south-westerly direction
Uranus
In September, Uranus is visible through the night
Uranus should be locatable in north-easterly to south-easterly direction in the Aries constellation
Neptune
Neptune reaches opposition in September, which may help in observing it
Located in a south-easterly to southerly direction
Associated Podcast / Video
Darkest Hour, Brightest Night also produce the Realm of Darkness podcast and video. Which gives you an overview of the events due to occur in September 2022
These should be released on the 30th August 2022, due to it being a bank holiday on Monday the 29th
The podcast can be found in the Podcast section. Or on your podcast app
The Realm of Darkness video can be found in the video section of our website
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Written by: Ben Patmore
Ben Patmore is an amateur astrophotographer
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