Stargazing Calendar for September 2026

Stargazing in September 2026 brings a wide variety of celestial events for enthusiasts of astronomy, from close planetary pairings to dazzling meteor showers. This guide highlights the month’s best opportunities to explore the night sky.

List of Meteor Showers in September 2026

1. Antihelion Source: Start on December 10; multiple peaks; end September 10.
2. Aurigids: Start on August 28; peak on August 31; end on September 5.
3. ν-Eridanids: Start on September 1; peak on September 6; end on October 29.
4. September ε-Perseids: Start on September 5; peak on September 9; end on September 21.
5. ε-Eridanids: Start on September 10; peak on September 12; end on September 14.
6. September Lyncids: Start on September 10; peak on September 13; end on October 8.
7. χ-Cygnids: Start on September 3; peak on September 14; end on September 25.
8. Daytime Sextantids: Start on September 9; peak on September 27; end on October 9.
9. Southern Taurids: Start on September 10; peak on October 10; end on November 20.

We also have a complete list of meteor showers for the entire year of 2026 here.

List of Planetary Conjunctions in September 2026

• Close approach of the Moon and the Pleiades in Taurus on September 3.
• Conjunction of the Moon and Mars in Gemini on September 6.
• Close approach of the Moon and Beehive Cluster in Cancer on September 8.
• Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter in Cancer on September 8.
• Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury in Virgo on September 12.
• Conjunction of the Moon and Venus in Virgo on September 14.
• Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn in Pisces on September 27.
• Close approach of the Moon and the Pleiades in Taurus on September 30.

Moon Phases in September 2026

As you know, the Moon has a big impact on the visibility of celestial bodies and astronomical events in the night sky. So to help you with stargazing, here’s a calendar of the phases of Moon for this month of September 2026:

September 3: Close approach of the Moon and the Pleiades

The Moon and the Pleiades star cluster (M45) will make a close approach or appulse, by passing within 1°12′ of each other. (See featured image at the top.) This will happen in the constellation of Taurus.

You can observe this astronomical event with the naked eye, because the Moon will be at apparent magnitude -12.1 and M45 at 1.3. The Moon will be 22 days old, meaning it will be a waning gibbous at 54%.

September 6: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars

The Moon and Mars will reach conjunction passing within 3°00′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.

Around the same time, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 2°57′ from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.

Look for the pair in the constellation of Gemini. The Moon will be at apparent magnitude -11.1, while Mars will be at magnitude 1.2. The Moon will be a 25 days old waning crescent at 18% and won’t interfere with stargazing this early September 2026.

September 6: ν-Eridanid meteor shower peak

The Nu Eridanids are a minor meteor shower with peak activity on September 6. Some meteors may also be spotted between September 1 and October 4, enriching your stargazing this fall of 2026. They will radiate from the constellation of Eridanus at the speed of 67 km/s on average.

The Moon will be a 25 days old waning crescent at 18%, so it won’t interfere much with stargazing this early September 2026.

September 8: Close approach of the Moon and the Beehive Cluster

The Moon and the Beehive Cluster (M44) will make a close approach or appulse, by passing within a mere 42 arcminutes of each other. This will happen in the constellation of Cancer.

You can observe this astronomical event with the naked eye or binoculars, because the Moon will be at apparent magnitude -10.3 and M44 at 3.1. The Moon will be 27 days old, meaning it will be a waning crescent at 7%.

September 8: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter

The Moon and Jupiter will reach conjunction passing within 50′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.

Around the same time, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching a mere 46.4′ from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.

The Moon will pass in front of Jupiter, creating a lunar occultation visible from parts of Canada, Greenland, eastern Russia, the Contiguous United States, Alaska, Iceland, and even parts of the Caribbean.

The Moon will be at apparent magnitude -9.8 and Jupiter at magnitude -1.8, both in the constellation of Cancer. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the close approach of the Moon and the Beehive Cluster on September 8.) The Moon will be a 27 days old waning crescent at 4% and won’t interfere with stargazing this early September 2026.

September 9: September ε-Perseid meteor shower peak

The September Epsilon Perseids are a relatively minor meteor shower that will peak on September 9 with a ZHR of about 5 meteors per hour. Some meteors may also be spotted between September 5 and 21.

They will radiate from the constellation of Perseus at the speed of 64 km/s on average. Unlike the August Perseids, their parent body is an unknown long-period comet.

The Moon will be 28 days old and essentially new (about 1% illuminated), so moonlight will present minimal interference—excellent news for observers.

September 10: Uranus enters retrograde motion

Uranus will halt its usual eastward movement through the constellations and reverse direction, beginning to move westward across the sky. This reversal happens every year a few months before the planet reaches opposition, when Earth overtakes Uranus in its inner orbit.

At the start of retrograde motion, Uranus will lie in the constellation of Taurus at apparent magnitude 5.7, putting it within reach of binoculars and small telescopes.

September 12: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury

The Moon and Mercury will reach conjunction passing within 3°50′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.

You can find both celestial bodies in the constellation of Virgo, with the Moon at apparent magnitude -8.2 and Mercury at apparent magnitude -0.6.

The Moon will be a 1 days old waxing crescent at 3%, so it will be a slim sliver in the sky. Mercury itself sits very close to the Sun (only about 14° east of it), so this pairing will be a challenging low target in the daytime or late-afternoon glare.

September 12: ε-Eridanid meteor shower peak

The Epsilon Eridanids are a variable meteor shower that will peak on September 12. Some meteors may also be spotted between September 10 and 14.

They will radiate from the constellation of Eridanus near the star Epsilon Eridani at the speed of 59 km/s on average. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the ν-Eridanid meteor shower peak on September 6.) Rates are variable and generally low, so even at the peak expect only a few meteors per hour.

The Moon will be a 1 days old waxing crescent at 3%, so it won’t interfere much with stargazing this mid-September 2026.

September 13: September Lyncid meteor shower peak

The September Lyncids are a minor meteor shower that will peak on September 13 with a ZHR of only 4 meteors per hour. Some meteors may also be spotted between September 10 and October 8.

They will radiate from the constellation of Lynx at the speed of 60 km/s on average.

The Moon will be a 2 days old waxing crescent at 6%, so it won’t interfere much with stargazing this mid-September 2026.

September 14: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus

The Moon and Venus will reach conjunction passing within a tight 31′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.

Around the same time, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching a mere 28.8 arcminutes from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.

The Moon will pass in front of Venus, creating a lunar occultation visible from parts of Africa, Asia, Europe, the Indian Ocean and as far east as Indonesia. Across the rest of the world the two bodies will simply appear very close together, with Venus graze the Moon’s southern limb for some observers.

The Moon will be at apparent magnitude -10.3 and Venus at magnitude -4.5, both in the constellation of Virgo. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of the Moon and Mercury on September 12.) The Moon will be a 3 days old waxing crescent at 15%, so its light will be modest but the pairing will happen in daylight from much of the Americas and Europe.

September 14: χ-Cygnid meteor shower peak

The Chi Cygnids are a weak variable-rate meteor shower that will peak on September 14. Some meteors may also be spotted between September 3 and 25.

They radiate from the constellation of Cygnus near the variable star Chi Cygni at a slow speed of about 15 km/s on average, meaning the meteors tend to glide across the sky as longer, gentler streaks than those of faster showers.

The Moon will be a 3 days old waxing crescent at 15%, so it won’t interfere much with stargazing this mid-September 2026.

September 23: September equinox

The September equinox will fall at 00:08 UTC on September 23, marking the first day of astronomical autumn in the northern hemisphere and the first day of spring in the southern hemisphere.

On the day of the equinox, every location on Earth experiences almost exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness, as the Sun crosses the celestial equator moving south. The Sun rises due east and sets due west for every observer on the planet.

At the moment of the equinox, the Sun will lie in the constellation of Virgo.

September 26: Neptune at opposition

Neptune will reach opposition, when it lies opposite to the Sun in the sky and is visible for much of the night. It will reach its highest point in the sky around midnight local time, regardless of where you are in the world.

At around the same time Neptune will also reach perigee, its closest approach to Earth, passing within 28.88 AU and reaching a peak brightness of magnitude 7.8. Look for it in the constellation of Pisces. Even at its brightest, Neptune is only a star-like point of light, so you will need a telescope or good binoculars to spot its bluish disk.

The Moon will be a 15 days old waning gibbous at 99%, so its glare will interfere with stargazing this late September 2026.

September 27: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn

The Moon and Saturn will reach conjunction passing within 6°55′ of each other while sharing the same right ascension.

Around the same time, the two bodies will also make a close approach (appulse) reaching 6°11′ from each other, but not sharing the same right ascension.

The Moon will be at apparent magnitude -12.7 in the constellation of Pisces, and Saturn at magnitude 0.3 in the neighbouring constellation of Cetus. The Moon will be a 16 days old waning gibbous at 99%, so its glare will interfere with stargazing this late September 2026.

September 27: Daytime Sextantid meteor shower peak

The Daytime Sextantids are a fairly weak meteor shower that will peak on September 27, with a ZHR of about 5 meteors per hour. Some meteors may also be spotted between September 9 and October 9.

They will radiate from the constellation of Sextans at the speed of 32 km/s on average, and originate from debris left by near-Earth asteroid (155140) 2005 UD. Because the shower peaks in daylight, most meteors are not visible to the naked eye; they are detected mainly by radar and radio techniques.

The Moon will be a 16 days old waning gibbous at 99%, so its glare will wash out any fainter meteors that happen during the brief pre-dawn window.

September 30: Asteroid 192 Nausikaa at opposition

Asteroid 192 Nausikaa will reach opposition, when it lies opposite to the Sun in the sky. It will reach the highest point in the sky around midnight local time, regardless of where you are located.

At around the same time, Nausikaa will also reach perigee, its closest approach to Earth, passing within 0.817 AU and reaching a peak brightness of magnitude 8.4. Look for it in the constellation of Pisces. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of the Moon and Saturn on September 27.) Even at its brightest, this asteroid is far too faint for the naked eye and you will need a telescope of moderate aperture.

The Moon will be a 19 days old waning gibbous at 79%, so its glare will interfere with stargazing this late September 2026.

September 30: Close approach of the Moon and the Pleiades

The Moon and the Pleiades star cluster (M45) will make a close approach or appulse, by passing within 1°06′ of each other. (See featured image at the top.) This will happen in the constellation of Taurus. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the previous close approach of the Moon and the Pleiades on September 3.)

You can observe this astronomical event with the naked eye, because the Moon will be at apparent magnitude -12.5 and M45 at 1.3. They will be too widely separated to fit within the field of view of a telescope, but will be visible to the naked eye or through a pair of binoculars.

The Moon will be 19 days old, meaning it will be a waning gibbous at 79%, so its glare will interfere with stargazing this late September 2026.

Positions of the Planets in September 2026

• Mercury: The closest planet to the Sun can be seen at dawn and dusk travelling across the constellation of Leo and Virgo. This planet, being the closest to the Sun, will appear to move quickly in the night sky and its position will change in the following weeks.
• Venus: The sister planet can be seen travelling across the constellation of Virgo. Just like Mercury, Venus can only be seen at dawn and dusk.
• Mars: The red planet can be seen in the constellation of Gemini.
• Jupiter: The gas giant is visible in the constellation of Cancer. Jupiter can easily be spotted with the naked eye, even in highly illuminated cities.
• Saturn: The ringed giant can be seen with the naked eye in the constellation of Pisces.
• Uranus: The ice giant can be seen in the constellation of Taurus with the use of a telescope.
• Neptune: The blue giant requires a telescope pointed in the constellation of Pisces in order to be seen.

Positions of Dwarf Planets and Large Asteroids in September 2026

• Ceres: The asteroid belt’s lone dwarf planet can be seen in the constellation of Gemini with the help of a telescope.
• Vesta: This large asteroid can be seen in the constellation of Cetus with a telescope.
• Pallas: The asteroid can be observed with a telescope in the constellation of Cetus.
• Hygiea: The fourth largest asteroid can be found with a telescope in the constellation of Cancer.
• Pluto: This distant dwarf planet can be found in the constellation of Capricornus with the help of a large telescope.

Major astronomical events next month – October 2026

• October 4: Saturn at opposition
• October 4: Asteroid 2 Pallas at opposition
• October 6: October Camelopardalid meteor shower peak
• October 8: Draconid meteor shower peak
• October 10: Southern Taurid meteor shower peak
• October 11: δ-Aurigid meteor shower peak
• October 13: Asteroid 4 Vesta at opposition
• October 18: ε-Geminid meteor shower peak
• October 18: Dwarf planet Eris at opposition
• October 22: Orionid meteor shower peak
• October 24: Leonis Minorid meteor shower peak

Conclusion

Stargazing this September 2026 promises an exciting month for fans of astronomy, with meteor showers, planetary encounters, and distant worlds reaching opposition. Get outside under dark skies and make the most of these spectacular celestial events.

To ensure you don’t miss out on any celestial happenings, sign up for our newsletter to receive stargazing calendars and more updates. Keep your telescopes ready and clear your calendar for these cosmic highlights!

Sources:

• Planetary ephemerides produced by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
• International Meteor Organization

See also:

• Previous month’s calendar: Stargazing Calendar for August 2026