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New Moon, September 2013
Thu., Sept. 5, 7:36 a.m. EDT. The moon is not visible on the date of New Moon because it is too close to the sun, but can be seen low in the east as a narrow crescent a morning or two before, just before sunrise. It is visible low in the west an evening or two after New Moon.
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Venus and the Moon, September 2013
Sun., Sept. 8, sunset. The thin waxing crescent moon passes just south of the bright planet Venus, low in the western sky just after sunset. Spica is to their right and Saturn is to their left.
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Mars in the Beehive, September 2013
Mon., Sept. 9, before morning twilight. The planet Mars appears against a glittering background of stars as it poses in front of the Beehive star cluster, Messier 44.
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Zodiacal Light, September 2013
Tue.–Tue., Sept. 3–17, before morning twilight. This faint light reflected from countless pieces of interplanetary material will be visible in dark skies for the next two weeks. It rises in a conical shape along the ecliptic before morning twilight.
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First Quarter Moon, September 2013
Thu., Sept. 12, 1:08 p.m. EDT. The First Quarter Moon rises around 2:30 p.m. and sets around 12:20 a.m. It dominates the evening sky.
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Venus, September 2013
In September 2013, Venus is now a bright “evening star” setting just after the sun.
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Full Moon, September 2013
The full moon of September, called the Harvest Moon, occurs on Sept. 19 at 7:13 a.m. EDT.
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Jupiter, September 2013
In September 2013, Jupiter is the brightest object in the morning sky all month. It is located in Gemini.
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Saturn and Venus, September 2013
Thu., Sept. 19, just after sunset. Saturn and Venus will be in conjunction, best seen shortly after sunset. Spica and Mercury will probably be lost in twilight for northern observers, but will be better placed in the southern hemisphere.
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Equinox, September 2013
Sun., Sept. 22, 4:44 p.m. EDT. The sun crosses the celestial equator moving from north to south, heralding the beginning of autumn in the northern hemisphere.
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Mercury and Spica, September 2013
Wed., Sept. 25, just after sunset. Observers in the southern hemisphere will see Mercury pass close to the bright star Spica about half an hour after sunset. Venus and Saturn ride high above them.
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Saturn, September 2013
In September 2013, Saturn is low in the southwestern sky as dusk falls, and sets around 9 p.m. It is located in Libra all month.
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Last Quarter Moon, September 2013
Thu., Sept. 26, 11:55 p.m. EDT. The Last Quarter Moon rises around 11:50 p.m. and sets around 3:00 p.m. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern sky.
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Mercury, September 2013
In September 2013, Mercury is well placed in the evening sky for observers in the southern sky, but very low for northern observers.
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Mars, September 2013
In September 2013, Mars is now a bright object in the morning sky. Mars is in Cancer, passing in front of the Beehive cluster on Sept. 9.
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Uranus, September 2013
In September 2013, Uranus is in Pisces, heading for opposition on October 3. It is visible most of the night.
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Neptune, September 2013
In September 2013, Neptune, just past opposition, is visible in Aquarius all night.
