THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

IN SEPTEMBER

WHEN TO USE THIS CHART

1 SEP AT 00:00 UT 15 SEP AT 23:00 UT 30 SEP AT 22:00 UT

The chart accurately matches the sky on the dates and times shown. The sky is different at other times as the stars crossing it set four minutes earlier each night. We’ve drawn the chart for latitude –35° south.

SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

Venus and Jupiter are prominent in the early western evening sky. Venus is considerably brighter and located below the gas giant, which is a similar brightness to Mars, in the north. Venus, opening the month only 1° from Spica, rises and slowly approaches Jupiter. The nearby crescent moon is most attractive from the 12th-14th. By month’s end the planets reach their closest separation – around 14° – and travel together until Venus drops towards the Sun and into conjunction in late October.

STARS AND CONSTELLATIONS

September boasts many constellations with water connections: Capricornus (the Sea Goat), Aquarius (the Water Bearer) and Delphinus (the Dolphin). However, the view from the south also has a strong avian theme, something Northern Hemisphere observers may not appreciate. They might share Aquila (the Eagle) and Cygnus (the Swan) with us but the far south adds four more exclusive birds: Grus (the Crane), Phoenix (the mythical bird), Tucana (the Tucana) and Pavo (the Peacock).

THE PLANETS

Venus in Virgo and Jupiter in Libra are obvious in the west shortly after sunset (see above), setting at 21:30 and 22:30 respectively (mid month). Prior to Venus departing there are three other planets available. Saturn, in Sagittarius, is transiting (due north) during twilight, with Mars in Capricornus two hours later. Neptune, in Aquarius, follows around midnight. Uranus in Aries shouldn’t be forgotten either – it rises around 21:00 (mid month). Planet spotters will be busy.