Pocket Sky-Atlas Challenges for September

The September Sky

While this tends to be a busy time for most, there is always a little time to take out a binocular, lean back in a reclining lounger outside for a quick scan of the night sky. Overhead, near Zenith, Vega shines bright, while Arcturus still rules the western sky. In the north east Cassiopeia sits on her throne, offering a wealth of deep sky objects to the keen observer.

By 20:30 hours most amateurs should be able to start observing on a September night: no more almost endless waiting for darkness! Remember to dust off and air out the warmer clothes needed this fall for observing sessions, even September nights can be cold and damp with dew.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get kids ( yours or the neighbours) out to look at the night sky or to the telescope before the weather turns cold. Any astronomy seeds you plant now will most likely sprout in late spring.

 I’ve indexed the object to its star chart page.

Naked Eye

 

Pisces (consellation) , Page 3 and 5.
Alfirk and Altais, Page 61.
M31 Page3.
Algol Page 2.

 

Larger Scopes

 

Barnard’s Galaxy , Page 66 .
NGC 6217, Page 61.
NGC 6939, Page 61 .
M33, Page 5 .
NGC 6891, Page 64.

 

Small Scopes and Binoculars

 

Delta Cephei, Page 73.
Alnasl, Page 67.
M4, Page 56.
NGC 752, Page 2.
M27, Page 67.

 

Bonus Objects

 

UGC 10822, Page 63.
NGC 6800, Page 62.
NGC 7635, Page 72.
NGC 6633, Page 65.

 

Happy Hunting!

Published with permission of John Kulczycki, 2012 all rights reserved.

About the Author

I’ve been a freelance writer for more than 20 years, but I’ve been an amateur astronomer for longer than that. Astronomy is the one science that everyone can try and make significant contributions. All you need to do is take the first step and go outside to enjoy then night sky.

I’ll see you there!