On the day of Monday, 8th September 2022, the moon moves close to Saturn and Neptune in the vast sky.

Celestial Events to Watch: Neptune and Saturn Align with the Moon

Get ready for an exciting night of stargazing as the planets Neptune and Saturn align with the Moon, offering a unique celestial spectacle. Here's a rundown of what to expect:

Moon Phase and Movements The Moon is currently in its waning gibbous phase, with a stunning 99% illumination, and it's making some interesting movements. On September 23, the Moon will pass just 4 degrees north of Saturn at 4 PM EDT, and on the following day, September 24, it will pass 3 degrees north of Neptune at 6 PM EDT.

Planetary Alignment Neptune, the farthest planet from the Sun visible to the naked eye, is quickly nearing opposition, which will occur on September 23. It's currently situated 2 degrees northeast of Saturn, another celestial body that's hard to miss, with a brightness of 0.6 (visible to the naked eye). On September 25, Saturn will reach its opposition, with its rings spanning 44" along the long axis and its disk measuring 19" across.

Spotting Neptune and Saturn Both Neptune and Saturn require optical aid to spot. Neptune, with a magnitude of 7.7, appears 2" across, and it's interesting to note that it may have a faint bluish hue. However, this may be harder to pick up due to the bright Moon.

Astronomical Companions Neptune is hanging less than half a degree due south of a 6th-magnitude field star, making it an intriguing target for stargazers. And if you're patient, you might just catch a glimpse of Saturn, which is also near a 6th-magnitude field star.

Stargazing Timings Both Saturn and Neptune rise around 8 PM local daylight time in southwestern Pisces. So, mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable night under the stars!

On the day of Monday, 8th September 2022, the moon moves close to Saturn and Neptune in the vast sky.