Star Almanack
Alexander Ferrari Miller

ISO 2026-W39

Week begins: Monday, September 21, 2026

Notation:

Calendar

DateZodiac dayEvents
Mon, Sep 21, 2026♍ 30
β Mic — Binoculars 6 — Southern Summer
M72 — Telescope 9 — Tropical Summer
Tue, Sep 22, 2026♍ 31
β Ind — Binoculars 4 — Southern Autumn
C33 / NGC 6992/6995 · Eastern Veil Nebula — Telescope — Northern Autumn
Finest NGC 99a / NGC 6992 · Veil Nebula (East) — Telescope 7 — Northern Autumn
Wed, Sep 23, 2026♎ 1
♎ Sun enters Libra · Autumnal equinox · First Point of Libra · Mabon — 00:05:13 UTC
Finest NGC 100 / NGC 7000 · North American Nebula / C20 / NGC 7000 · North America Nebula — Telescope 4 — Northern Autumn
M73 — Telescope 9 — Tropical Autumn
C42 / NGC 7006 — Telescope 11 — Tropical Autumn
Thu, Sep 24, 2026♎ 2
C4 / NGC 7023 · Iris Nebula — Telescope 7 — Arctic Autumn
Finest NGC 1 / NGC 7009 · Saturn Nebula / C55 / NGC 7009 · Saturn Nebula — Telescope 8 — Tropical Autumn
α Oct — Binoculars 5 — Antarctic Autumn
Fri, Sep 25, 2026♎ 3
61 Cygni — Naked eye — Northern Autumn
Finest NGC 101 / NGC 7027 · Magic Carpet — Telescope 10 — Northern Autumn
Sat, Sep 26, 2026♎ 4
🌕 Full Moon · Harvest Moon — 16:49:02 UTC
Sun, Sep 27, 2026♎ 5
Kitalpha (α Equ) — Binoculars 4 — Tropical Autumn

Weekly Solar-System Ephemeris

Snapshot: Week begins September 21, 2026, 00:00 UTC.

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

Notation:
Body☉︎☽︎☿︎♀︎♂︎♃︎♄︎
Ecliptic♍︎ 28°02′
β −0°00′		♑︎ 21°21′
β −3°14′		♎︎ 16°29′
β −0°30′		♏︎ 5°48′
β −5°58′		♋︎ 25°46′
β +0°51′		♌︎ 17°44′
β +0°34′		♈︎ 12°21′
β −2°42′
ObservingNightNaked eye -10.8☉︎Naked eye -4.8Naked eye 1.2Naked eye -1.8Naked eye 0.4
Rise05:5215:2907:3109:2900:2002:1818:45
Set18:0823:5418:4318:5615:3716:3907:09

Extended targets:

Body⚳︎♅︎♆︎♇︎
Ecliptic♋︎ 13°16′
β +0°16′		♊︎ 5°39′
β −0°09′		♈︎ 3°08′
β −1°25′		♒︎ 3°13′
β −4°18′
ObservingTelescope 8.8Binoculars 5.7Telescope 7.7TelescopeTelescope 14.5
Rise23:2020:4818:1916:14
Set14:4911:5606:2300:53

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 04:11:56 UTC

View:

ISO 2026-W39 runs from September 21 through September 27. Uranus is about 4.1° in ecliptic longitude from Aldebaran in Taurus.

Naked eye: 🌕 Full Moon · Harvest Moon — 16:49:02 UTC. Bright moonlight favors prominent stars and planets while reducing contrast on faint deep-sky objects. No fixed-sky Calendar object is classified for naked-eye observing this week.

Planets: Moon: Naked eye; magnitude -10.8; direct motion; 69.9% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Opposition in ecliptic longitude Sep 26 16:49 UTC. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude Sep 27 07:19 UTC. Conjunction with Neptune in ecliptic longitude Sep 26 15:41 UTC. Conjunction with Pluto in ecliptic longitude Sep 21 23:34 UTC. Mercury: In solar glare; magnitude -0.3; direct motion; 86.2% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Venus: Naked eye; magnitude -4.8; direct motion; 23.9% 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; 90.9% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Ceres: Telescope; magnitude 8.8; direct motion; 96.6% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Jupiter: Naked eye; magnitude -1.8; direct motion; 99.6% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Saturn: Naked eye; magnitude 0.4; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Sep 27 07:19 UTC. Uranus: Binoculars; magnitude 5.7; retrograde motion; 99.9% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Neptune: Telescope; magnitude 7.7; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Opposition in ecliptic longitude Sep 26 01:36 UTC. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Sep 26 15:41 UTC. Pluto: Substantial telescope; magnitude 14.5; retrograde motion; 100.0% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Sep 21 23:34 UTC.

Binoculars: Trace Microscopium’s charted figure in the finder, then identify β Mic at its charted position. Trace Indus’s diamond-shaped figure in the finder, then identify β Ind at its charted position. Trace Octans’s charted figure in the finder, then identify α Oct at its charted position. Trace Equuleus’s charted figure in the finder, then identify Kitalpha at its charted position.

Beta Mic: A Bright Beacon in the Constellation Microscopica — Discover the characteristics and significance of this notable star within the Mic constellation.

Beta Ind: A Bright Point in the Southern Sky — An overview of Beta Ind, a notable star in the constellation Indus, offering insights into its characteristics and significance.

Alpha Oct: The Bright Beacon in the Octant Sky — Discover the characteristics and significance of Alpha Oct, a prominent star in the constellation Octans, guiding navigators and astronomers alike.

Kitalpha: A Prominent Star of Equuleus — Illuminating insights into one of the constellation’s key stars, Kitalpha stands out as a notable figure in the night sky.

Small telescope: M72: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Veil Nebula (East): consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; North America Nebula: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; M73: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; NGC 7006: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Iris Nebula: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Saturn Nebula: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance; Magic Carpet: consult its dedicated finder and observing story for equipment guidance

One of Messier’s farthest star cities — M72 is one of the most remote globular clusters in the Messier catalog, about 50,000 light-years from Earth.

Veil Nebula (East): A Luminous Remnant in Cygnus — An enduring testament to stellar death, the Veil Nebula East reveals the intricate aftermath of a supernova explosion.

The North America Nebula: A Celestial Portrait in Cygnus — An exploration of a prominent emission nebula whose distinctive shape resembles the North American continent, offering both beauty and scientific intrigue.

Messier catalogued four stars that only look acquainted — M73 is not a star cluster at all, but a tiny asterism whose stars happen to lie along nearly the same line of sight.

The Delphinus Globular Cluster: A Stellar Beacon in the Constellation Delphinus — An overview of the characteristics and significance of this ancient star cluster in the night sky.

The Iris Nebula: A Cosmic Bloom in Cepheus — Exploring the luminous beauty and scientific significance of the Iris Nebula, a prominent emission nebula in the Cepheus constellation.

The Saturn Nebula: A Celestial Gem in Aquarius — An overview of this intriguing planetary nebula, highlighting its celestial characteristics and significance.

The Enigmatic Beauty of the Magic Carpet in Cygnus — A detailed exploration of a captivating planetary nebula that continues to intrigue astronomers and stargazers alike.

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 07:31; sets 18:43 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -0.3. The disk is 86.2% illuminated (gibbous). It is 18.5° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 1.508° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Spica, 7.9° away. Mercury: 7.9° from Spica 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 21.5° below the horizon. Rises 09:29; sets 18:56 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -4.8. The disk is 23.9% illuminated (crescent). It is 38.2° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.415° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Zubenelgenubi, 11.5° away. Venus: 11.5° from Zubenelgenubi 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 17.7° above the horizon. Rises 15:29; sets 23:54 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -10.8. The disk is 69.9% illuminated (waxing gibbous). It is 113.3° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 11.976° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Nunki, 8.6° away. Opposition in ecliptic longitude Sep 26 16:49 UTC. Conjunction with Saturn in ecliptic longitude Sep 27 07:19 UTC. Conjunction with Neptune in ecliptic longitude Sep 26 15:41 UTC. Conjunction with Pluto in ecliptic longitude Sep 21 23:34 UTC. Moon: 8.6° from Nunki 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 21.7° below the horizon. Rises 00:20; sets 15:37 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 1.2. The disk is 90.9% illuminated (gibbous). It is 62.3° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.602° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Pollux, 6.2° away. Mars: 6.2° from Pollux 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 28.5° below the horizon. Rises 02:18; sets 16:39 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -1.8. The disk is 99.6% illuminated (nearly full). It is 40.3° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.192° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Acubens, 6.8° away. Jupiter: 6.8° 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 22.9° above the horizon. Rises 18:45; sets 07:09 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.4. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 165.4° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.075° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alrescha, 18.4° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Sep 27 07:19 UTC. Saturn: 18.4° 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 1.3° above the horizon. Rises 20:48; sets 11:56 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 5.7. The disk is 99.9% illuminated (nearly full). It is 112.4° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.009° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Aldebaran, 7.0° away. 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 26.7° above the horizon. Rises 18:19; sets 06:23 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 7.7. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 174.7° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.028° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Fumalsamakah, 17.6° away. Opposition in ecliptic longitude Sep 26 01:36 UTC. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Sep 26 15:41 UTC. Neptune: 17.6° 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 17.0° below the horizon. Rises 23:20; sets 14:49 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 8.8. The disk is 96.6% illuminated (gibbous). It is 74.8° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.296° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alhena, 8.0° away. Ceres: 8.0° 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 21.0° above the horizon. Rises 16:14; sets 00:53 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 14.5. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 125.1° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is retrograde at 0.011° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Dabih, 9.0° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Sep 21 23:34 UTC. Pluto: 9.0° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.