Moon
1st Quarter----- 4th 15:22 - 23:50
Full ------------ 12th 17:55 - 7:59
Last Quarter-- 20th 00:00 - 14:54
New ------------ 26th 07:26 - 17:08
Planets
As in previous months it’ll be Neptune leading them up into the sky in the east.
And on the 1st of October it’ll rise at 5:45 pm, while it’s still light so won’t be seen till after dusk has ended, after 8 pm. Uranus will be following soon after and will not be easily seen till the same time, 8 pm-ish. At the end of the month Neptune will rise at 2:45 pm followed by Uranus an hour later. Neptune will set about midnight and Uranus at 3:25 am.
Jupiter will rise on the 1st at 7:45 pm and at 48 arc sec and mag –2.9 unmissable. It’ll climb higher into the sky than in previous years so should be photographed whenever possible. It’ll be available till the skies lighten about 6 am.
On the 31st it rises at 4:45 pm and sets in the west with a disc of 50 arc sec as dawn lightens the eastern sky, so giving plenty of time for observation. This is its month of closest approach to us.
Mars is making an entrance this month after a long absence, it will rise at 1:15 am in the north east and though still tiny at 5 arc sec it is bright enough to gain your attention a mag 1.3. It’ll fade into the dawn by about 6 am. So not available for long, but more is promised.
During this night it’ll pass through M44 the Beehive Cluster, so every few moments will produce a different view. It will have passed through by the 2nd. At month’s end it will rise at midnight and will be hidden by twilight before it culminates.
Venus will be too close to the Sun for much this month, setting 20 mins after it on the 1st and 30 mins on the 31st. As it rises after the Sun it won’t be seen in the mornings. So this month Jupiter is our Morning Star.
Mercury will similarly be difficult, so not worth the danger, avoid it.
Saturn too is too close to the Sun for any valued and safe observation.
Meteor Showers
The Orionids will peak on the 21st of the month but aren’t a really major shower. The
half Moon will follow the radiant up into the sky but is more than 90° away so shouldn’t affect observing much.
Comets
Only the comet of the moment 2009 P1 Garradd will be worth the effort and it should
be observed whenever possible. It’s in the bottom end of Hercules and slowing down
too to make photography easier. For more details give me a call.