Home
Weather Dublin
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    September astro outlook: Fourth supermoon and Neptune appears

15:00
2 September 2023

September astro outlook
Fourth supermoon and Neptune appears

star-gazing

September is not the most active month for stargazers, but it does deliver the autumn equinox, ushering in the new season.

The month begins with a new moon on September 15 offering dark skies perfect for those wanting to see fainter objects in the night sky.

Those faint objects will include Neptune in opposition on September 19, though only for those with powerful telescopes.

The furthest planet from the sun will be illuminated by the star on this day, offering the best chance to spot the gas giant.

A few days later, we find Mercury at its greatest western elongation. On September 22, the closest planet to the sun will be visible in the UK and Ireland. Look towards the eastern horizon before sunrise.

A day later, and the autumnal equinox heralds the beginning of astronomical autumn. This year, the equinox takes place on September 23, at 07:50 am BST.

At the equinox the sun will shine directly on the equator, giving us an almost equal number of hours of day and night. In the Southern Hemisphere, this is the spring equinox.

Finally, the month is rounded out by the year's fourth, and final, supermoon. Rising on the evening of September 29, this full moon is dubbed the harvest, or corn, moon.

The closest full moon to the equinox is always referred to as the harvest moon. This year it becomes a supermoon as it arrives in parallel with the moon's perigee, the closest point to Earth in its orbit.

If you head out to capture the supermoon, have a telescope powerful enough to spot Neptune, or use the darkness of the new moon for a spot of stargazing... we would love to see what you capture.

Tap the image icon in the app or use our dedicated uploader.

Tips: Astrophotography with your phoneread more
Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Cooler nights and lower dew points. Less oppressive heatwave. . . Thursday 9 July 2026
Split image showing the London skyline in hazy golden sunset light in the left and an overnight temperature map of the UK and Ireland on the right, with minimum temperatures ranging from 13°C in northeast Scotland to 18°C in southern England.
Thursday 9 July 2026

Less oppressive heatwave

Cooler nights and lower dew points
Yet another typhoon in the Pacific. Gusts of over 185 mph. . . Friday 3 July 2026
Wind forecast map of the western Pacific showing a powerful typhoon east of Guam with a well-defined eye, strong wind circulation, and a windsock warning icon.
Friday 3 July 2026

Gusts of over 185 mph

Yet another typhoon in the Pacific
Very high UV levels during the heatwave. Sun cream at the ready!. . . Wednesday 8 July 2026
Split graphic showing a UK temperature map with hot conditions across England and Wales, temperatures reaching 32 °C near London, and a UV warning icon on the left, alongside a person applying sunscreen in bright sunshine on the right.
Wednesday 8 July 2026

Sun cream at the ready!

Very high UV levels during the heatwave
All weather news
This might also interest you
Seasonal warmth between spring thunder. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 19 April 2026
Split image showing coastal sunset with layered lenticular clouds over rooftops and palm trees on the left, and a green valley with river and hills under soft daylight on the right.
Sunday 19 April 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Seasonal warmth between spring thunder
Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands. Storm and rain. . . Friday 12 December 2025
Weather graphic showing rain and wind fields over the Canary Islands and a central warning symbol.
Friday 12 December 2025

Storm and rain

Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands
New records for England and Wales. Broken again tomorrow?. . . Thursday 25 June 2026
Temperature map of southwest Britain on 25.06 showing extreme heat across southern Wales and southwest England, with Bute Park in Cardiff highlighted at 34.2°C and Yeovilton at 36.4°C amid widespread deep red heat zones.
Thursday 25 June 2026

Broken again tomorrow?

New records for England and Wales
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList