The Diamond Moon and Other Astronomical Events To See in September 2026

In September 2026, stargazers will have the chance to witness several noteworthy astronomical events. On September 1 and 2, the planet Venus will appear near Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo. Venus will be easily visible to the naked eye, shining brighter than the stars due to its proximity. Venus and Spica will be about 1.5 degrees apart.

On September 3, the moon will be accompanied by the Pleiades, a famous star cluster in the constellation Taurus. The moon will be about 59% illuminated, and the Pleiades, also known as "the Seven Sisters," will appear as a small group of bright points next to the moon. This view will be possible using naked eyes or binoculars.

A smaller meteor shower, the Epsilon Perseids, will peak on September 9 and 10, with up to eight meteors per hour. The best viewing conditions will be in the northern hemisphere, as the peak will occur just two days before a new moon, making the sky dark enough for optimal viewing.

On September 22, Venus will reach its brightest point of the year, with an apparent magnitude of approximately -4.8. It will be visible near the western horizon after sunset. The event will occur just before the September equinox on September 23, marking the beginning of fall in the northern hemisphere and spring in the southern hemisphere.

Neptune, the most distant planet in our solar system, will be in its best position for observation on September 26. This is due to its opposition, when Earth is between Neptune and the Sun. As Neptune is too faint to be seen with the naked eye, spotting it will require a telescope and knowledge of its position among the stars in the constellation Pisces.