From Jupiter disappearing behind the moon and Venus reaching peak brightness to the September equinox and a full “Harvest Moon,” plenty is going on in the night sky in September 2026 — including all five bright planets visible. Here’s everything you need to know about skywatching in September 2026.

On Tuesday, Sept. 8, a 9%-lit crescent moon will pass less than a degree from Jupiter before sunrise. Much of the U.S. and Canada will then see the moon occult — or pass in front of — Jupiter during daylight hours.

On Monday, Sept. 14, a 16%-lit waxing crescent moon will pass within half a degree of Venus, itself now a slim crescent as it comes closer to Earth.

Venus will dominate the western sky after sunset all month, reaching its greatest illuminated extent and brightest around Tuesday, Sept. 22. Shining at magnitude -4.6, it will be brighter than anything in the night sky except the moon.

Also on Tuesday, Sept. 22, the equinox will mark the beginning of astronomical fall in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere.

On Saturday, Sept. 26, the full “Harvest Moon” will rise around sunset, with Saturn shining nearby. The following evening the two will appear to be even closer.

All five naked-eye planets are visible during September. Venus and Mercury shine after sunset, Mars and Jupiter appear before sunrise, and Saturn is visible for much of the night. Uranus and Neptune can also be found with optical aid, with Neptune reaching opposition on Saturday, Sept. 26, when Earth passes between it and the sun (however, a large telescope is generally required to see it).

The Milky Way’s Last Hurrah

September brings some of the year’s final convenient evening views of the brightest Milky Way for Northern Hemisphere observers. Its star-rich regions in Scorpius and Sagittarius are sinking westward after dark and will largely disappear from the evening sky by October. Meanwhile, the Great Square of Pegasus is rising in the east, heralding the arrival of the Northern Hemisphere’s fall sky.