September promises a celestial treat for stargazers worldwide with several fascinating lunar occultation events. If skies are clear, you might catch a glimpse of the Moon as it passes in front of stars, planets, or star clusters, blocking them from view for a brief time.
What Are Occultations?
Occultations occur when the Moon, in its monthly journey, passes five degrees above or below the ecliptic plane and covers up a celestial object. These events are similar to transits and eclipses, where one celestial body passes in front of another, offering a unique opportunity for observation.
September’s Occultation Highlights
September 5th: The 5% illuminated waxing crescent Moon will occult Venus at 10:16 UT. This event is mostly visible from Antarctica, though others may enjoy a close pairing of the two objects at dusk.
September 6th: The 10% illuminated waxing crescent Moon will occult Spica, the +1st magnitude star in the constellation Virgo, for observers in central Africa at 17:04 UT. Spica is a notable candidate for a future nearby supernova.
September 10th: The 43% illuminated waxing crescent Moon will occult Antares, the +1st magnitude star in the constellation Scorpius, for those in western Australia at 13:09 UT.
September 17th: The nearly Full Moon (99.2% illuminated) will occult Saturn for viewers in western North America at 10:22 UT. This event will also be visible in northeastern Australia and nearby Pacific islands. Saturn, fresh off its opposition on September 8th, will reappear from behind the Moon 16 hours before a partial lunar eclipse.
September 18th: Just five hours after the partial lunar eclipse, the Moon will occult Neptune for observers in North America. This faint +8th magnitude planet, spanning just 2.4″, will be a challenge to spot.
September 22nd: The 75% illuminated waning gibbous Moon will occult the Pleiades star cluster (Messier 45) for North America. This event marks the beginning of a series of monthly occultations of the Pleiades, continuing for the rest of the decade.
Watching a lunar occultation is relatively easy, but using binoculars or a small telescope will enhance the experience. Imaging these events can be tricky due to the Moon’s brightness, but with the right exposure settings and techniques, it’s possible to capture these stunning occurrences.
Astrophotographer Roger Hutchinson recalls, “Imaging events like this, where the main subjects have such a huge difference in brightness, requires capturing multiple shots at different exposures. These are then composited to record the event more or less as the eye sees it. Transits, occultations, and eclipses bring home the constant motion of our solar system and are always amazing to witness and capture.”
Get Ready for the Show
Whether you’re an amateur astronomer or a seasoned astrophotographer, September’s lunar occultations offer a fantastic opportunity to witness the dynamic movements of our solar system. Keep your eyes on the sky, and don’t miss these celestial events happening near you.
Read Now:Systematic Review Finds No Link Between Mobile Phones and Brain Cancer
