Venus can be seen in the western sky after sunset in the constellation Virgo (the Maiden), just to the right (or west) of the bright star Spica. Venus passes Spica on September 5th. Venus appears farther south in the sky each night too. Venus sets about one-and-a-half hours after the sun all month and moves into the constellation Libra (the Scales) by the end of the month. Venus looks like a very bright white star.

Jupiter can be seen in the western sky after sunset in the constellation Virgo (the Maiden). Jupiter is very close to Venus early in the month, but slowly moves lower in the sky throughout the month. Jupiter will appear much dimmer than Venus. By late September, Jupiter is visible for less than 45 minutes after sunset. Jupiter looks like a bright, yellow-colored star.

Mars can be seen rising in the southeastern sky about 10:30 p.m. early in the month and by 9:00 in late September as it moves in retrograde motion (eastward among the stars) from the constellation Taurus (the Bull) by the border of Aries (the Ram). Mars doubles in brightness this month and becomes better to view later this fall. Mars looks like a ruddy-colored star.

Saturn can be seen rising in the eastern sky several hours before dawn in the constellation Cancer (the Crab), about 2 degrees away from the Beehive Cluster. On September 14th, Saturn and the Beehive Cluster appear to be at their closest point. By the end of September, Saturn will rise around 2:00 a.m. and be high in the southern sky at dawn. Saturn looks like a bright amber-colored star.

Mercury can be seen early in the month rising low in the eastern sky in the constellation Leo (the Lion) near the bright star Regulus (the Heart of the Lion). Mercury is at its brightest this month and can be seen easily in the first few days of September. Mercury disappears in the sun’s glare before midmonth. Mercury and passes behind the sun on the 17th and moves to the constellation Virgo (the Maiden). Mercury looks like a small white star.