September Stargazing 

Here’s a guide to what the September night sky looks like from Virginia (roughly mid-latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere) — what you’ll see, when, and what Messier (and other deep sky) objects are up. Perfect for high school stargazers.

Setting the Scene: What Makes September Special

• September is “Milky Way season” — this means the galactic core (the brightest central bulge of our galaxy, toward Sagittarius / Scorpius) becomes visible in the evening sky. Nelson County+3Capture the Atlas+3WTOP News+3
  
  

• It gets dark earlier than in summer, so you don’t have to stay up very late to catch some spectacular sights.
  
  

• Moon phases matter: near new moon or when moon is below the horizon is best for seeing fainter objects. Photography Magazine Extra+2Star Walk+2
  
  

What to Look for: Key Stars and Constellations

• Galactic Core: After sunset in mid-to-late evening (say ~8-9 pm, depending on date and how dark it is), you’ll see the Milky Way’s core rising in the south-southeast to south direction. As night progresses, it climbs higher toward the southern sky. This part is very rich in stars, gas, and many deep sky targets.
  
  

• Pleiades (M45): The “Seven Sisters” in Taurus will rise later at night / early morning. Before dawn, you can look east/northeast to see Pleiades fairly high up.
  
  

• Orion: Orion rises early in the morning by late September. Look to the east before dawn to see Orion’s belt and the Orion Nebula (in his “sword”) coming into view.
  
  

Messier Objects & Other Deep Sky Targets: What, When, Where

Here are some of the Messier and other deep sky objects visible during September from Virginia, with approximate times and directions. Exact rise/set/transit times vary by date, so check a local sky map or app for your particular date.

A Sample Timeline: What You’d See Over a Night

Here’s how things might unfold on a typical September night in Virginia, say around mid-month, if skies are clear:

• Shortly after sunset (≈ 7:30-8:30 pm)
  The sky is darkening. The Milky Way core might be just rising above the horizon in the south-southeast. Bright summer travel constellations (Sagittarius, Scorpius) may still be low in the south. Some planets like Saturn could be visible across the southern sky.
  
  

• Mid-evening (≈ 9-11 pm)
  The Milky Way core climbs higher; dark patches (dust lanes) are easier to see. Deep sky objects in Sagittarius / Scorpius region become more accessible. Objects in constellations like Hercules (e.g. M13), Virgo, etc., are in favorable positions.
  
  

• Late evening to midnight
  The sky is at its darkest; many Messier galaxies (faint smudges) and nebulae are best observed now. If the moon is not up, fainter objects are possible to see.
  
  

• Pre-dawn hours
  Orion starts to rise in the east; Pleiades climbs higher in the northeast. The Orion Nebula (M42) and the Sword become visible. Many morning planets (Venus, Jupiter depending on date) also appear.
  
  

Tips for Viewing

• Find a spot with low light pollution — a dark horizon especially toward south and east helps.
  
  

• Use binoculars or a small telescope; even binoculars bring out nebulae and clusters better.
  
  

• Give your eyes ~20-30 minutes in the dark to adapt. Avoid bright sources of light (phones, flashlights) or use red light.
  
  

• Use a stargazing app or star chart, especially one that lets you input your date and location. It helps to know when a given object will rise or transit (reach its highest point) in your sky.