Starwatch: a pleasing view of Jupiter and the moon to greet the new season | Astronomy

September in the northern hemisphere sees the start of astronomy’s observing season, when the nights begin to draw in, making stargazing easier. Greet the new season this coming weekend with the pleasing pairing of Jupiter and the virtually full moon.

The chart shows the view looking east-south-east from London at 22.00 BST on Sunday 11 September. Also visible in the south-east, so just off this chart, will be Saturn, shining with its soft ochre colour. But the stars of the show are Jupiter and the moon. Both will be brilliantly bright, especially the moon, which will be 97% illuminated from our viewpoint.

Find a spot with a clear eastern horizon and watch the pair rise. Start your observation at or before 20.15 BST and look due east. Jupiter will clear the horizon around this time. The moon will follow 20 minutes later.

The full moon is on Saturday 10 September and goes by the traditional name of the harvest moon. On this night, the moon will be further from Jupiter but both will rise almost simultaneously about 20.15 BST. From the southern hemisphere, the pairing is also easily visible in the early evening, rising into the eastern sky.