Home » Technology » Top Astronomical Phenomena in September 2023: Meteor Showers, Comet Nishimura, Equinox, Moon Antares, Aurigid Meteor Shower

Top Astronomical Phenomena in September 2023: Meteor Showers, Comet Nishimura, Equinox, Moon Antares, Aurigid Meteor Shower

SUKABUMIUPDATE.com – September 2023 will be colored by many celestial phenomena that can be observed both with the naked eye and with the help of tools such as telescopes.

Astronomical phenomena that will color the sky this month include meteor showers, the moon in perigee and the appearance of comet Nishimura.

The following is a row of astronomical phenomena that will occur in September, quoted from the page Southern Sky.

1. The Perseid Epsilon Meteor Shower

The Epsilon Perseid meteor shower occurs from September 5-21. This meteor shower is known to originate from comet Swift-Tuttle dust and will experience its peak on September 9.

Read Also: What is Aphelion, an Astronomical Phenomenon that Occurs Once a Year

The Perseid Epsilon meteor shower appears to be coming from the constellation Perseus and when the peak of the rain occurs it will produce 5 meteors every hour moving at a speed of 64 km/hour.

The Perseid epsilon meteor shower can be observed from 23:00 until just before dawn.

2. Komet C/2023 P1 (Nishimura)

In September, a rare phenomenon will occur, namely the appearance of Comet C/2023 P1 (Nishimura).
On August 12, 2023, amateur astronomer Hideo Nishimura discovered comet C/2023 P1 (Nishimura).

This celestial body will reach perihelion on September 18, 2023. At perihelion or the closest distance to the Sun, comet C/2023 P1 (Nishimura) will be 34 million km from the Sun. And on its way, this comet will also pass close to Earth on September 13 at a distance of 128 million km.

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The maximum brightness of this comet is estimated on September 17, which is 4.8 magnitude, so that it is possible to observe it with the naked eye.

For ideal observations from Indonesia, it can be done on September 1-6 when Nishimura’s comet can still be observed before sunrise, although of course this comet is quite low on the eastern horizon.

3. Equinoks

The month of September will also be colored by the Equinox phenomenon, where when this event occurs the position of the Sun is at the equinox or above the equator.

Day and night are the same length, namely 12 hours. For people in the Northern Hemisphere, September 23 is the Autumnal Equinox or the autumnal equinox which marks the beginning of autumn.

On the other hand, in the southern hemisphere, the September equinox is the vernal equinox or vernal equinox that marks the beginning of spring.

Read Also: 7 Unique Facts about the Planet Venus, One of which is the Sun Rising from the West

4. Exposure to the Moon Antares

On September 21, 2023, the crescent moon and Antares or the alpha star Scorpius can be observed as close as less than 1º. This pair can be observed from sunset until the moment they both set. Antares sets at 22:36 WIB followed by the Moon at 22:50 WIB.

To observers currently in Japan, Russia, Guam, and the northern Mariana Islands, the Moon will appear to occult Antares and the star Antares disappears from the field of view before reappearing.

5. Aurigid Meteor Shower

Starting August 28 – September 5, the Aurigid meteor shower originates from the fragments of comet Kiess (C/1911 N1). This meteor shower will peak on September 1.

This meteor shower appears to be coming from the Auriga constellation which rises at 01:33 WIB. For observers whose horizon is blocked by trees or buildings, observations can be made around 03:00 WIB in the morning when the Auriga constellation is higher on the eastern horizon.

Read Also: 14 interesting facts about the planet Mercury, has temperatures up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit

At maximum, observers can see six meteors per hour. For 2023, the large convex Moon is still bright all night so it can be a challenge in hunting for meteors. Observations can still be made until September 5.

Those are some celestial phenomena that will and are or have already occurred in September 2023.

Editor : Dede Imran

2023-09-04 11:15:00
#Sky #Phenomenon #September #Meteor #Shower #Appearance #Comet #Nishimura #Sukabumi #Update

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