September begins with one of the month's prettiest naked-eye sights as brilliant planet Venus glides past the bright star Spica low in the west during evening twilight. As the week progresses, the waning moon pays visits to the Pleiades star cluster and Mars while reaching last quarter, offering several rewarding observing sessions for those up before the sun. With moonlight diminishing, it’s also an excellent time to start thinking about darker skies and the deep-sky treasures of late summer before autumn takes over. Here’s everything you need to know about stargazing and the night sky from Monday, August 31 through Sunday, Sept. 6.

Tuesday, Sept. 1: Venus Meets Spica Look low in the west-southwest about 30 minutes after sunset to see dazzling Venus shining just over a degree from Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo. The pair remains visible for only about 90 minutes after sunset, so don’t leave it too late.

Wednesday, Sept. 2: Venus And Spica Venus continues to linger near Spica, although the two begin to drift apart. It’s another beautiful twilight pairing for anyone with a clear western horizon.

Thursday, Sept. 3: Moon Meets the Pleiades Before dawn, the 61%-lit waning gibbous moon hangs close to the Pleiades (also called the Seven Sisters) in the constellation Taurus. Binoculars will help reveal the famous star cluster despite the moon’s glow.

Friday, Sept. 4: Last Quarter Moon The moon reaches its last quarter phase, rising around midnight and leaving the early evening sky dark. It’s welcome news for anyone hunting galaxies, nebulae and star clusters.

Saturday, Sept. 5: Waning Crescent Moon If you’re awake before sunrise, look for the 38%-lit waning crescent moon passing through the constellation Taurus as it continues its journey toward next week’s thin crescent phase.

Sunday, Sept. 6: Moon and Mars The 27%-lit waning crescent moon pairs with the red planet Mars before dawn in the eastern sky.

This is one of the year’s last great weeks for enjoying the rich star fields of the summer Milky Way during comfortable evening temperatures. Venus dominates the western twilight, while early mornings reward anyone willing to set an alarm with attractive lunar pairings. Patience and a pair of binoculars are all you’ll need for the week’s best sights.

Constellation of the Week: Aquarius

Aquarius is not bright. It does not form an obvious shape. At first glance, it may seem invisible. But that’s exactly why it matters — it teaches you how to see beyond the obvious. Look toward the southern sky after dark. Begin by searching for a small Y-shaped pattern of faint stars known as the “Water Jar.” Once you’ve found it, let your eyes relax. Gradually, a broader pattern begins to emerge — a scattering of stars extending outward like a stream.

Aquarius lies along the ecliptic, the path followed by the sun, moon and planets. This makes it an important reference region. Over the coming months, planets will move through this area, and knowing it now will make those movements easier to track. Finding Aquarius can be a turning point because you’re no longer just recognizing bright constellations, but instead you’re learning to detect subtle structure in the sky.

Stargazing Tip of the Week: Get Outside During Twilight

Don’t wait until the sky is fully dark to begin observing. Some of the week’s finest sights — including Venus and Spica early this week — are best seen during deep twilight, about 30 to 45 minutes after sunset. Arriving outside a little earlier also gives your eyes time to adapt as brighter stars begin to appear. It’s one of the most magical times of the day when night’s window on the stars begins to open, revealing the galaxy — and the universe — beyond.

The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like Stellarium . Check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more.