Star Almanack
Alexander Ferrari Miller

ISO 2026-W36

Week begins: Monday, August 31, 2026

Notation:

Calendar

DateZodiac dayEvents
Mon, Aug 31, 2026♍ 9
Tue, Sep 1, 2026♍ 10
M55 — Telescope 6 — Southern Summer
Sham (α Sge) — Binoculars 4 — Tropical Summer
β Sge — Binoculars 4 — Tropical Summer
Finest NGC 96 / NGC 6819 · Collinder 403 — Telescope 10 — Northern Summer
Wed, Sep 2, 2026♍ 11
Finest NGC 104 / NGC 6818 · Little Gem — Telescope 10 — Tropical Summer
C15 / NGC 6826 · Blinking Planetary Nebula / Finest NGC 97 / NGC 6826 · Blinking Planetary — Telescope 10 — Northern Summer
C57 / NGC 6822 · Barnard's Galaxy — Telescope 9 — Tropical Summer
Thu, Sep 3, 2026♍ 12
Fri, Sep 4, 2026♍ 13
🌗 Last Quarter — 07:51:14 UTC
Altair (α Aql) — Naked eye 1 — Tropical Summer
Sat, Sep 5, 2026♍ 14
M71 — Telescope 8 — Tropical Summer
Alshain (β Aql) — Binoculars 4 — Tropical Summer
Sun, Sep 6, 2026♍ 15
M27 — Telescope 7 — Tropical Summer

Weekly Solar-System Ephemeris

Snapshot: Week begins August 31, 2026, 00:00 UTC.

(-90° to +90°; defaults +45°, 21:00 LAT)

Notation:
Body☉︎☽︎☿︎♀︎♂︎♃︎♄︎
Ecliptic♍︎ 7°38′
β +0°00′		♈︎ 11°53′
β +3°32′		♍︎ 10°48′
β +1°38′		♎︎ 22°22′
β −3°16′		♋︎ 12°46′
β +0°31′		♌︎ 13°29′
β +0°32′		♈︎ 13°44′
β −2°39′
ObservingNightNaked eye -11.8☉︎Naked eye -4.6Naked eye 1.2Naked eye -1.8Naked eye 0.5
Rise05:1919:2605:3409:2500:3203:1120:03
Set18:4108:3618:5519:5716:0517:4408:32

Extended targets:

Body⚳︎♅︎♆︎♇︎
Ecliptic♋︎ 6°33′
β −0°32′		♊︎ 5°39′
β −0°09′		♈︎ 3°41′
β −1°25′		♒︎ 3°32′
β −4°18′
ObservingTelescope 8.9Binoculars 5.7Telescope 7.7TelescopeTelescope 14.5
Rise00:0822:0419:3517:30
Set15:3413:1207:4202:10

β = ecliptic latitude (+ north, − south).
Rise and set are Local Apparent Time for the selected latitude.
Naked-eye observing uses the Sun’s altitude at the selected Monday observer time: Daylight (Sun ≥ −0.833°), Civil twilight (−0.833° to −6°), Nautical twilight (−6° to −12°), Astronomical twilight (−12° to −18°), and Night (below −18°).
Solar Glare identifies a body too close to the Sun when the sky-state rule does not already supersede its naked-eye classification.
The Sun’s observing status uses this same five-state sky classification.

Notation:

Planet Finder

Planet Finder — Greek / Symbols
Greek / Symbols
Planet Finder — English
English
Planet Finder — Mixed Learner
Mixed Learner

Sky Notes

Kilroy: Sky Notes · generated 2026-10-22 04:11:52 UTC

View:

ISO 2026-W36 runs from August 31 through September 6. Venus is about 1.5° in ecliptic longitude from Spica in Virgo. Uranus is about 4.1° in ecliptic longitude from Aldebaran in Taurus.

Naked eye: 🌗 Last Quarter — 07:51:14 UTC. Moderate moonlight makes timing and local sky position important for faint targets. Use Altair as the week’s fixed-sky framework.

Altair — the star that could not keep its shape — A bright star seems the simplest thing in the sky: a point of light, steady and round in the imagination. Altair, the brightest star in Aquila, defeated that assumption. Astronomers found that its equator sticks out, its poles shine more intensely, and the difference can actually be measured from Earth.

Planets: Moon: Naked eye; magnitude -11.8; direct motion; 91.3% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Mars in ecliptic longitude Sep 06 19:05 UTC. Conjunction with Ceres in ecliptic longitude Sep 06 04:59 UTC. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude Aug 31 03:18 UTC. Conjunction with Uranus in ecliptic longitude Sep 03 21:26 UTC. Mercury: In solar glare; magnitude -1.5; direct motion; 99.3% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Venus: Naked eye; magnitude -4.6; direct motion; 39.4% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Mars: Naked eye; magnitude 1.2; direct motion; 92.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Sep 06 19:05 UTC. Ceres: Telescope; magnitude 8.9; direct motion; 97.2% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Sep 06 04:59 UTC. Jupiter: Naked eye; magnitude -1.8; direct motion; 99.8% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Saturn: Naked eye; magnitude 0.5; retrograde motion; 99.9% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Aug 31 03:18 UTC. Uranus: Binoculars; magnitude 5.7; direct motion; 99.9% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Sep 03 21:26 UTC. Neptune: Telescope; magnitude 7.7; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Pluto: Substantial telescope; magnitude 14.5; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot.

Binoculars: Trace Sagitta’s charted figure in the finder, then identify Sham at its charted position. Trace Sagitta’s charted figure in the finder, then identify β Sge at its charted position. Trace Aquila’s charted figure in the finder, then identify Alshain at its charted position.

Sham: A Bright Star in the Constellation Sagitta — An overview of Sham, a notable star distinguished by its position and characteristics in Sagitta.

Beta Sge: A Bright Beacon in the Southern Sky — An overview of Beta Sge, its characteristics, and its place in the constellation of Sagitta.

Alshain: The Rising Star of Aquila — Discover the characteristics and significance of the star Alshain, a notable figure in the constellation Aquila.

Small telescope: M55: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Collinder 403: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Little Gem: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Blinking Planetary Nebula: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Barnard's Galaxy: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M71: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Dumbbell Nebula: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance

M55: A Bright Globular Cluster in Sagittarius — Discover the characteristics and significance of M55, a prominent globular cluster in the constellation Sagittarius.

Collinder 403: A Stellar Cluster in Cygnus's Canvas — An overview of the intriguing open cluster located in the northern constellation of Cygnus, inviting both amateur and seasoned astronomers to explore its celestial beauty.

The Little Gem: A Delicate Planetary Nebula in Sagittarius — An enduring showcase of cosmic beauty and stellar evolution, the Little Gem offers astronomers a glimpse into the future of sun-like stars.

The Blinking Planetary Nebula: A Celestial Enigma in Cygnus — An enduring object of fascination, this planetary nebula offers a glimpse into the lifecycle of stars and the intricate beauty of the cosmos.

Barnard's Galaxy: A Hidden Spiral in Sagittarius — An overview of the intriguing, diminutive galaxy in the heart of Sagittarius, known for its role in the cosmic tapestry.

M71: The Compact Globular Cluster of Sagitta — Discover the intriguing characteristics of one of the galaxy's dense stellar assemblies in the constellation Sagitta.

A dying star made the Dumbbell — M27 was the first planetary nebula ever discovered, although the name “planetary nebula” has nothing to do with planets.

Substantial telescope: No fixed-sky Calendar object is classified as requiring a substantial telescope this week.

Other objects listed this week: None

Mercury

Mercury: in solar glare at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Rises 05:34; sets 18:55 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -1.5. The disk is 99.3% illuminated (nearly full). It is 3.6° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 1.903° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Regulus, 10.7° away. Mercury: 10.7° from Regulus in the Pathfinder.

Venus

Venus: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 11.6° below the horizon. Rises 09:25; sets 19:57 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -4.6. The disk is 39.4% illuminated (crescent). It is 44.8° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.810° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Spica, 2.2° away. Venus: 2.2° from Spica in the Pathfinder.

Moon

Moon: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 15.9° above the horizon. Rises 19:26; sets 08:36 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -11.8. The disk is 91.3% illuminated (waning gibbous). It is 145.6° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 13.440° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alrescha, 21.8° away. Conjunction with Mars in ecliptic longitude Sep 06 19:05 UTC. Conjunction with Ceres in ecliptic longitude Sep 06 04:59 UTC. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude Aug 31 03:18 UTC. Conjunction with Uranus in ecliptic longitude Sep 03 21:26 UTC. Moon: 21.8° from Alrescha in the Pathfinder.

Mars

Mars: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 21.0° below the horizon. Rises 00:32; sets 16:05 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 1.2. The disk is 92.0% illuminated (gibbous). It is 54.9° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.636° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alhena, 8.0° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Sep 06 19:05 UTC. Mars: 8.0° from Alhena in the Pathfinder.

Jupiter

Jupiter: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 24.5° below the horizon. Rises 03:11; sets 17:44 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -1.8. The disk is 99.8% illuminated (nearly full). It is 24.1° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.211° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Acubens, 5.6° away. Jupiter: 5.6° from Acubens in the Pathfinder.

Saturn

Saturn: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 9.5° above the horizon. Rises 20:03; sets 08:32 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.5. The disk is 99.9% illuminated (nearly full). It is 143.8° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.055° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alrescha, 17.2° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Aug 31 03:18 UTC. Saturn: 17.2° from Alrescha in the Pathfinder.

Uranus

Uranus: binoculars at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 9.5° below the horizon. Rises 22:04; sets 13:12 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 5.7. The disk is 99.9% illuminated (nearly full). It is 92.0° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.009° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Aldebaran, 7.0° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Sep 03 21:26 UTC. Uranus: 7.0° from Aldebaran in the Pathfinder.

Neptune

Neptune: telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 14.3° above the horizon. Rises 19:35; sets 07:42 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 7.7. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 153.9° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.024° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 18.0° away. Neptune: 18.0° from Fumalsamakah in the Pathfinder.

Ceres

Ceres: telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 20.4° below the horizon. Rises 00:08; sets 15:34 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 8.9. The disk is 97.2% illuminated (gibbous). It is 61.1° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.342° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alhena, 6.9° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Sep 06 04:59 UTC. Ceres: 6.9° from Alhena in the Pathfinder.

Pluto

Pluto: substantial telescope at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 20.4° above the horizon. Rises 17:30; sets 02:10 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 14.5. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 145.7° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is retrograde at 0.018° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Dabih, 8.9° away. Pluto: 8.9° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.