Hosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan who enjoy teaching astronomy classes and showing the public views through their telescopes. actualastronomy@gmail.com
In Episode 549 of Actual Astronomy, hosts Chris and Shane present the Observer's Calendar for September 2026, highlighting key celestial events for amateur astronomers throughout the month. Highlights include the Sept 1 Aurigids meteor shower peak, a Venus-Spica conjunction on Sept 2, two regional star parties in early September, and a Moon occultation of Jupiter on Sept 8. Observing targets throughout the month feature various lunar features like the Lunar X and Straight Wall, deep-sky objects, multiple carbon stars, Neptune reaching opposition on Sept 25, and the Harvest Full Moon on Sept 26.
Sept 1: Aurigids peak (ZHR=10) predawn; γ Del double star; M27 well placed in evening
Sept 2: Venus 1.7° South of Spica
Sept 4: Last Quarter Moon (2:11)
Sept 5: Lunar X visible
Sept 6: Alberta Star Party begins; Mars 3° South of Moon; Moon at perigee; NGC 6781 well placed; B142/3 well placed; Carbon star W Orionis in pre-dawn
Sept 7: Labour Day; M71 well placed; Carbon star HK Lyr in evening
Sept 8: Northern Prairie Star Party begins; Moon occults Jupiter (2:58 pm); M27 well placed; Max R Aql (9:00 pm); Star Trek 60th anniversary
Sept 9: NGC 6905 well placed; Carbon star RV Mon in pre-dawn; Zodiacal Light in E before morning twilight
Sept 10: New Moon (23:27); Uranus Stationary; Old crescent Moon in E before sunrise; M39, M29 well placed
Sept 11: Veil Neb well placed
Sept 12: NGC 7000 well placed
Sept 13: NGC 6946 well placed
Sept 14: Venus 0.5° South of Moon; IC 5146 well placed; Carbon star U Cyg in evening
Sept 15: NGC 6819 well placed
Sept 16: NGC 6826 well placed
Sept 17: First Quarter Moon (18:44)
Sept 18: Venus greatest illuminated extent;
Sept 19: Lunar Straight Wall this evening; Two shadows on Jupiter visible (9:03 pm)
Sept 20: Follow Capella unaided into daylight this week
Sept 22: Autumnal Equinox (12:00 am); Jeweled Handle (12:00 am)
Sept 24: Crater Billy (9:00 pm)
Sept 25: Neptune at opposition;
Sept 26: Full Moon / Harvest Moon (12:49); Two shadows on Jupiter (10:56 pm); Mare Orientale (9:00 pm); Crater Einstein (4:00 am); Carbon star V Cyg in evening
Sept 30: 192 Nausikaa at opposition (m=8.4)
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