Star Almanack
Alexander Ferrari Miller

ISO 2027-W38

Week begins: Monday, September 20, 2027

Notation:

Calendar

DateZodiac dayEvents
Mon, Sep 20, 2027♍ 29
α Mic — Binoculars 5 — Southern Summer
Tue, Sep 21, 2027♍ 30
β Mic — Binoculars 6 — Southern Summer
M72 — Telescope 9 — Tropical Summer
Wed, Sep 22, 2027♍ 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
Thu, Sep 23, 2027♎ 1
♎ Sun enters Libra · Autumnal equinox · First Point of Libra · Mabon — 06:01:43 UTC
🌗 Last Quarter — 10:20:28 UTC
Finest NGC 100 / NGC 7000 · North American Nebula / C20 / NGC 7000 · North America Nebula — Telescope 4 — Northern Autumn
M73 — Telescope 9 — Tropical Autumn
Fri, Sep 24, 2027♎ 2
C42 / NGC 7006 — Telescope 11 — Tropical Autumn
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
Sat, Sep 25, 2027♎ 3
α Oct — Binoculars 5 — Antarctic Autumn
61 Cygni — Naked eye — Northern Autumn
Finest NGC 101 / NGC 7027 · Magic Carpet — Telescope 10 — Northern Autumn
Sun, Sep 26, 2027♎ 4

Weekly Solar-System Ephemeris

Snapshot: Week begins September 20, 2027, 00:00 UTC.

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

Notation:
Body☉︎☽︎☿︎♀︎♂︎♃︎♄︎
Ecliptic♍︎ 26°49′
β +0°00′		♉︎ 13°59′
β +5°07′		♎︎ 22°31′
β −2°10′		♎︎ 7°26′
β +1°11′		♏︎ 11°56′
β −0°29′		♍︎ 11°57′
β +0°57′		♈︎ 26°29′
β −2°45′
ObservingNightNaked eye -11.5Naked eye 0.1☉︎Naked eye 1.4☉︎Naked eye 0.2
Rise05:5019:1808:1206:4409:5104:3019:20
Set18:1010:2418:5218:3719:4717:4208:28

Extended targets:

Body⚳︎♅︎♆︎♇︎
Ecliptic♍︎ 22°49′
β +7°36′		♊︎ 9°57′
β −0°06′		♈︎ 5°29′
β −1°28′		♒︎ 4°56′
β −4°48′
Observing☉︎Binoculars 5.7Telescope 7.7TelescopeTelescope 14.5
Rise05:1421:0718:2816:26
Set18:4112:2306:4001:05

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 20:30:02 UTC

View:

ISO 2027-W38 runs from September 20 through September 26. Uranus is about 0.2° in ecliptic longitude from Aldebaran in Taurus. Mercury is about 1.3° in ecliptic longitude from Spica in Virgo.

Naked eye: 🌗 Last Quarter — 10:20:28 UTC. Moderate moonlight makes timing and local sky position important for faint targets. No fixed-sky Calendar object is classified for naked-eye observing this week.

Planets: Moon: Naked eye; magnitude -11.5; direct motion; 83.9% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Conjunction with Uranus in ecliptic longitude Sep 21 22:51 UTC. Mercury: Naked eye; magnitude 0.1; direct motion; 66.3% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Venus: In solar glare; magnitude -3.9; direct motion; 98.3% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Mars: Naked eye; magnitude 1.4; direct motion; 94.0% illuminated. Below the horizon at 21:00 local apparent solar time, 45°N. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Ceres: In solar glare; magnitude 8.5; direct motion; 99.9% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Jupiter: In solar glare; magnitude -1.7; direct motion; 99.9% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Saturn: Naked eye; magnitude 0.2; retrograde motion; 99.9% illuminated. Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Uranus: Binoculars; magnitude 5.7; retrograde 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 21 22:51 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 Microscopium’s charted figure in the finder, then identify α Mic at its charted position. 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.

Alpha Microscopii: The Bright Beacon in Microscopium — A detailed look at the stellar jewel in the constellation Microscopium, its place in the night sky and scientific significance.

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.

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: naked eye at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. At 45°N and 21:00 local apparent solar time, it is 23.1° below the horizon. Rises 08:12; sets 18:52 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.1. The disk is 66.3% illuminated (gibbous). It is 25.8° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 1.152° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Spica, 1.7° away. Mercury: 1.7° from Spica in the Pathfinder.

Venus

Venus: in solar glare at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Rises 06:44; sets 18:37 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -3.9. The disk is 98.3% illuminated (gibbous). It is 10.7° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 1.242° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Zavijava, 9.9° away. Venus: 9.9° from Zavijava 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 16.1° above the horizon. Rises 19:18; sets 10:24 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -11.5. The disk is 83.9% illuminated (waning gibbous). It is 132.6° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 13.073° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Hamal, 7.6° away. Conjunction with Uranus in ecliptic longitude Sep 21 22:51 UTC. Moon: 7.6° from Hamal 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 13.0° below the horizon. Rises 09:51; sets 19:47 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 1.4. The disk is 94.0% illuminated (gibbous). It is 45.1° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is direct at 0.678° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Zubenelgenubi, 3.6° away. Mars: 3.6° from Zubenelgenubi in the Pathfinder.

Jupiter

Jupiter: in solar glare at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Rises 04:30; sets 17:42 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude -1.7. The disk is 99.9% illuminated (nearly full). It is 14.9° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.213° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Regulus, 11.7° away. Jupiter: 11.7° from Regulus 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 17.0° above the horizon. Rises 19:20; sets 08:28 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 0.2. The disk is 99.9% illuminated (nearly full). It is 150.2° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.063° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Alrescha, 7.1° away. Saturn: 7.1° 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 1.6° below the horizon. Rises 21:07; sets 12:23 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 5.7. The disk is 99.9% illuminated (nearly full). It is 106.9° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.004° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Aldebaran, 5.4° away. Conjunction with Moon in ecliptic longitude Sep 21 22:51 UTC. Uranus: 5.4° 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 25.4° above the horizon. Rises 18:28; sets 06:40 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 7.7. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 171.2° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is retrograde at 0.027° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Diphda, 19.5° away. Neptune: 19.5° from Diphda in the Pathfinder.

Ceres

Ceres: in solar glare at the Monday 00:00 UTC snapshot. Rises 05:14; sets 18:41 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 8.5. The disk is 99.9% illuminated (nearly full). It is 8.6° from the Sun, on its west side. Motion is direct at 0.460° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Denebola, 4.7° away. Ceres: 4.7° from Denebola 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 21.1° above the horizon. Rises 16:26; sets 01:05 (45°N, local apparent solar time). Visual magnitude 14.5. The disk is 100.0% illuminated (nearly full). It is 127.9° from the Sun, on its east side. Motion is retrograde at 0.012° per day in ecliptic longitude at the snapshot. Position reference: Dabih, 9.4° away. Pluto: 9.4° from Dabih in the Pathfinder.