Do Not Overlook: Venus, Harvest Moon, and Zodiacal Light
What peculiar realm do we find ourselves in? Our home, Earth. Displayed prominently in the forefront of the featured illustration are the Pinnacles, extraordinary formations of rock spires located within Nambung National Park in Western Australia. Comprising of ancient marine shells, specifically limestone, the intricate process by which these visually captivating spires took shape remains an ongoing subject of investigation. Emanating from the horizon near the central point of the image is a beam of zodiacal light, an illumination resulting from sunlight reflecting off minuscule dust particles orbiting between the various planets within our Solar System. Gracefully spanning the uppermost expanse is the central band of our Milky Way Galaxy. Notably, the planets Jupiter and Saturn, along with several renowned stars, adorn the backdrop of the nocturnal sky. Acknowledgment: Photography and Rights reserved by Jingyi Zhang.
What celestial spectacles should we anticipate in the month of September 2023?
Venus graces the early morning firmament, emerging as a luminous guiding light in the eastern domain. Marking the culmination of the month is the full moon, referred to as the Harvest Moon. For those fortunate enough to partake of unpolluted skies devoid of urban luminosity, a chance might arise to behold the subtle yet radiant pillar of the zodiacal light.
What Does September Hold in Store? The Morning Return of Venus, the Harvest Moon, and the Quest for Zodiacal Light…
Following a spell of illuminating our evening horizon for the better part of this year, Venus has now transitioned into a morning celestial entity. Seek the enigmatic, cloud-covered planet, aglow and conspicuous, gracing the eastern expanse before the break of dawn throughout the entire month. From vantage points in the Northern Hemisphere, it will ascend to a noticeable altitude – scaling between 30 to 40 degrees above the skyline as the month draws to a close, contingent upon your specific latitude.
Meanwhile, Saturn and Jupiter persist as easily observable planets in the course of this month. Saturn is discernible low in the southeastern quadrant after sunset, while Jupiter ascends a couple of hours subsequent. Saturn then descends a few hours prior to sunrise, leaving Jupiter to reign supreme in the heavens until the Sun’s emergence. On September 4th, an alignment with the Moon places Jupiter high in the southwest skies during the predawn hours.
On September 29th, the full moon materializes as the fourth and concluding supermoon of the year. As noted in last month’s presentation, supermoons denote full lunar phases transpiring when the Moon’s proximity to Earth during its orbital journey is at its closest.
This month’s full moon, christened the Harvest Moon, obtains its name due to its adjacency to the September equinox. This juncture coincides with the peak of numerous crops within the Northern Hemisphere. The Harvest Moon affords several days of luminescent moonshine immediately following sundown, historically aiding farmers with additional time to harvest their crops before the onset of the inaugural frost.
During the crisp, moonlit mornings of September preceding the dawn, an opportunity beckons to observe the zodiacal light. Manifesting as a triangular or conical emanation of delicate luminosity, it extends vertically from the horizon and is most conspicuously visible during the equinoxes in March and September.
The zodiacal light materializes from sunlight reflecting off a cosmic veil of interplanetary dust. This particulate matter pervades the inner regions of the solar system, encompassing the vicinity from the core of the main asteroid belt to the outer limits of Mars.
In September, individuals situated in the Northern Hemisphere should direct their gaze eastward within the hour preceding the onset of morning twilight. Observers in the Southern Hemisphere should focus their attention westward within the hour following the cessation of evening twilight.
Optimal viewing conditions, characterized by relatively dim skies, enhance the likelihood of capturing this phenomenon. Additionally, the Moon’s absence from the predawn firmament in the latter half of September facilitates the identification of the zodiacal light north of the equator during this period.
It is noteworthy that a significant proportion of this cosmic dust conforms to the Sun’s orbital plane, akin to peering outward into the solar system’s disc. This dust finds its probable sources in entities such as comets, the planet Mars, and asteroids.
On a related note, forthcoming opportunities are imminent for terrestrial examination of an asteroid when NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission delivers its collected specimens from the Bennu asteroid this very month. Having amassed a collection of rocks and particles from the asteroid’s surface in 2020, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is currently in close proximity to Earth, poised to transport its cargo for comprehensive scrutiny. As it nears Earth, the spacecraft will deploy its sample return capsule, scheduled to alight in Utah on September 24th.
Presented here are the lunar phases for September.
Stay well-informed about NASA’s endeavors encompassing the exploration of our solar system and beyond via nasa.gov. This is Preston Dyches from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, providing a comprehensive update for the current month.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Astronomical Phenomena
What celestial events can be observed in September 2023?
September 2023 offers a trio of captivating astronomical events. Venus transitions to the morning sky, the Harvest Moon graces the horizon, and the Zodiacal Light enchants pre-dawn skies.
What is the Harvest Moon?
The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the September equinox. It provides bright moonlight after sunset, traditionally aiding farmers in their harvest preparations before the first frost.
What is the Zodiacal Light?
The Zodiacal Light is a delicate, cone-shaped glow seen near the horizon before dawn or after dusk. It results from sunlight reflecting off interplanetary dust particles situated between planets in our solar system.
How can I observe the Zodiacal Light?
For observers in the Northern Hemisphere, look eastward an hour before morning twilight. In the Southern Hemisphere, direct your gaze westward an hour after evening twilight. Clear, dark skies enhance visibility.
What is the OSIRIS-REx mission?
The OSIRIS-REx mission involves collecting samples from the Bennu asteroid. The spacecraft returns to Earth in September 2023, delivering samples for in-depth analysis.
When will the OSIRIS-REx mission samples land?
The OSIRIS-REx mission’s sample return capsule is scheduled to land in Utah on September 24th, allowing scientists to study rocks and dust from the Bennu asteroid.
More about Astronomical Phenomena
- Venus Transitioning to Morning Sky
- Harvest Moon Explanation
- Zodiacal Light Phenomenon
- OSIRIS-REx Mission Details
- OSIRIS-REx Sample Return
