What's up: A Guide to what you can see in the Night Sky - September 2025

September is jam-packed with lunar drama, planetary shenanigans, and meteor showers that will make your telescope (and your Instagram feed) very happy. From a total lunar eclipse to Saturn in all its ringed glory, there’s something for everyone. Let’s dive in!

September 7 – Full Moon & Total Lunar Eclipse

Get ready for a spectacular night! The Moon reaches its full phase at 18:10 UTC, sitting opposite the Sun and shining its face fully at us. Early Native American tribes called this the Corn Moon, because it lined up with the corn harvest, while it’s also popularly known as the Harvest Moon—the full moon nearest the September equinox.

And if that wasn’t enough, the same night brings a total lunar eclipse. The Moon will slip completely into Earth’s shadow, slowly darkening and eventually turning a dramatic rusty-red—hello, blood moon vibes. This show will be visible across Asia, Australia, and the central and eastern parts of Europe and Africa. (Check NASA for maps and details.)

September 21 – New Moon & Partial Solar Eclipse

At 19:55 UTC, the Moon reaches its new phase, sitting between Earth and the Sun. It will be invisible in the night sky, making this prime time for stargazing—perfect for spotting faint galaxies and star clusters without the glare of moonlight.

Later the same day, there’s a partial solar eclipse—when the Moon blocks part of the Sun, kind of like someone took a cosmic bite out of it. Safety first: you’ll need a proper solar filter or indirect viewing. This eclipse is only visible from New Zealand, Antarctica, and the southern Pacific Ocean, with New Zealand getting the best view at 76% coverage. (NASA maps available for exact viewing.)

September 21 – Saturn at Opposition

Saturn hits opposition, meaning it’s at its closest point to Earth and fully lit by the Sun. It’ll be brighter than any other time this year and visible all night. Grab a telescope (medium or larger) to admire those glorious rings and catch a few of its brightest moons. Perfect night for astro photography!

September 22 – September Equinox

uator, giving nearly equal hours of day and night worldwide. It also marks the start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere.

September 23 – Neptune at Opposition

Neptune reaches opposition, bringing its closest approach to Earth and maximum brightness. While it’ll still look like a tiny blue dot in most telescopes, this is the best night of the year to spot or photograph the distant blue giant. Make sure your telescope is ready for this tricky but rewarding target.

Planet Visibility for September 2025

Mercury

Mercury starts the month sneaking up less than 30 minutes before the Sun, making it tricky to spot. On the 13th, it reaches superior conjunction, hiding almost directly behind the Sun. After that, it moves into the western evening twilight, but by month’s end it’s still setting just an hour after the Sun, blending into the twilight glow. Honestly, this little speedster is probably best left for next month when it’ll be easier to catch.

Venus 

The Morning StarVenus begins September in Cancer, rising about 90 minutes before the Sun, lighting up the morning sky. On the 11th, she slides into Leo, building up to a show-stopping close encounter with Leo’s brightest star, Regulus, on the 20th—they’ll be only half a degree apart. Venus at magnitude -3.9 absolutely dwarfs Regulus at magnitude 1.4, so she’ll steal the show. The waning crescent Moon also swings by for a visit on the 19th and 20th, making for a photogenic morning pairing.

Mars

Mars hangs out low in the western evening sky in Virgo. Early in the month, it sets roughly three hours after the Sun. On the 13th and 14th, it’ll sit just 2° north of Virgo’s brightest star, Spica, and by month’s end, Mars sets around two hours after sunset. On the 24th, a young waxing crescent Moon lounges just beneath Mars—a lovely sight for early evening watchers.

Jupiter

Jupiter continues its stay in Gemini, rising around 3:30 am at the start of September, but by month’s end it’s up 90 minutes earlier. On the 7th, it’s positioned 0.2° from magnitude 3.5 delta Geminorum, and on the 16th and 17th, the waning crescent Moon joins the gas giant for a celestial morning duet.

Saturn

Saturn is now in prime evening position, rising around 7:00 pm early in the month. The big highlight comes on the 21st at opposition, when it’s fully illuminated and visible all night long. Nestled in Pisces, skirting the edge of Aquarius, Saturn shines at magnitude 0.79—a bright beacon in a sky patch with few other stars. Keep an eye out on the 8th, when the full Moon swings past for a visit to the ringed beauty.