Incredible Skywatch Weekend: Northern Lights, Meteor Fireballs & Planetary Sights (Sept 27

Key Facts

Aurora Alert: A high-speed solar wind stream from a coronal hole is expected to reach Earth, bringing unsettled to active geomagnetic conditions over September 27–28 with a chance of minor G1-class auroral storms ^[1]. Northern Lights may brighten skies across high latitudes, possibly dipping farther south than usual if storm levels materialize.
Sun’s Surge: Solar activity remains elevated as an impulsive M1.6 solar flare erupted on Sept. 26 ^[2]. No Earth-directed CME was detected ^[3], but NOAA forecasters note a continued 30% chance of M-class flares through the weekend ^[4]. Space weather experts are watching for any uptick in flares as new active regions rotate into view ^[5] ^[6].
Meteor Showers: The Southern Taurids meteor shower is now active (Sept–Nov), renowned for producing slow-moving fireball meteors ^[7]. While the Taurids’ peak comes later in fall, observers this weekend could spot a few extra bright meteors after midnight. Additionally, the Daytime Sextantids are peaking (around Sept. 27–Oct. 1), though these meteors radiate near the Sun and are mostly detectable via radio or during dawn ^[8].
Planetary Lineup:Saturn reached opposition on Sept. 21 and shines at its brightest of the year ^[9], visible all night in Pisces. Jupiter is rising by late evening, joining Saturn to form two brilliant beacons in the night sky. Meanwhile, Venus gleams as the Morning Star before sunrise. Even Neptune is at opposition (Sept. 23) ^[10] – though a telescope is required to spot the distant ice giant.
New Comet & No Eclipse: A newly discovered comet, C/2025 R2 (SWAN25B), is rapidly brightening and now visible with binoculars ^[11]. It could become naked-eye visible by October as it nears its closest approach. (No eclipses fall on this weekend, but skywatchers are coming off a Sept. 7 lunar eclipse and a Sept. 21 partial solar eclipse earlier this month.)
Fiery Satellite Re-entry: Skywatchers in California were stunned by a spectacular fireball on Sept. 26, later identified as a re-entering SpaceX Starlink satellite burning up in the atmosphere ^[12]. The event – a long-lasting, fragmenting streak – underscores how satellite re-entries can create dramatic “man-made meteors”. Another recent debris re-entry was sighted over India on Sept. 19, showing these events are becoming more common.

Solar Storms and Aurora Outlook

Space weather officials are on alert for auroras this weekend. A large coronal hole on the Sun has rotated into an Earth-facing position, sending a stream of fast solar wind toward Earth. According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, this “weak enhancement in the solar wind” is forecast to arrive and push geomagnetic activity to unsettled or even active levels, with a chance of minor G1 storms ^[13]. In practical terms, that means the Northern Lights could strengthen on the nights of Sept. 27–28. If the disturbance reaches G1 (Kp 5) levels, auroras may become visible farther south than usual – perhaps into the northern continental US and Scotland under dark skies ^[14]. High-latitude regions (Alaska, Canada, Northern Europe) are most likely to see auroral displays, especially around local midnight when geomagnetic activity typically peaks.

Experts note we are near the autumnal equinox, which historically boosts aurora activity. “Fall equinox 2025 arrives Sept. 22…, boosting chances for auroras thanks to an ‘equinox effect’,” one report explained ^[15]. Geomagnetic scientists have observed that around the equinoxes, cracks can develop in Earth’s magnetosphere that let solar wind in more easily, leading to more frequent auroras. This effect may enhance any light shows from the incoming solar wind stream.

So far, Earth’s magnetic field has been mostly quiet in the lead-up to the weekend. NOAA reported quiet geomagnetic conditions on Sept. 26, as the previous solar wind stream waned ^[16] ^[17]. But that lull might be “the calm before the storm,” as NASA solar expert C. Alex Young quipped ^[18]. By late on Sept. 27, space forecasters expect conditions to deteriorate to unsettled, and on Sept. 28 isolated periods of G1 (Minor) storming are possible if the coronal hole effects fully kick in ^[19]. The official geomagnetic forecast calls for Kp indices rising to 4 (active) on Sept. 28 ^[20], right on the threshold of storm level. NOAA has not issued a formal geomagnetic storm watch (confidence is moderate), but aurora chasers are advised to be alert. “Over the weekend, conditions could begin to change… This may push geomagnetic activity to unsettled or even active levels, with a chance of minor G1 storms,” notes Space.com’s aurora live blog ^[21].

If the aurora does come, what might it look like? Expect green rippling curtains low on the horizon for mid-latitude observers, and potentially intense multi-colored auroras overhead in polar regions. In fact, earlier this month a stronger geomagnetic storm (Kp ~6–7) wowed skywatchers as far south as Michigan on Sept. 14 ^[22]. That G2/G3-level storm, also triggered by a coronal hole stream, lit up skies across the northern U.S. and Europe with auroras. The upcoming disturbance is forecast to be milder, but still worth watching.

Viewing tip: If you’re in a northern locale, check the sky periodically on Saturday and Sunday nights. Auroras can flare up quickly. Face north, and find a dark area away from city lights with a clear view of the northern horizon. Look for any faint greenish glow or moving pillars, especially around local midnight (10pm–2am) when geomagnetic activity often peaks. Be patient – your eyes may need 15–20 minutes in darkness to pick up the subtle auroral light. Also keep an eye on aurora apps or NOAA’s Kp index updates; if Kp numbers climb into the 4–5 range, auroras are likely in high latitudes. As one aurora expert advises: “A strong southward Bz (magnetic field component) can wreak havoc with Earth’s magnetic field… When this happens, your chances of seeing auroras increase significantly” ^[23] – in other words, magnetic conditions can change fast, so stay alert if you’re keen to catch the Northern Lights.

Solar Activity Report: Flares and Sunspots

Beyond auroras, the Sun itself has been busy. On Sept. 26, astronomers recorded an M1.6-class solar flare at 20:01 UTC from just beyond the Sun’s eastern limb ^[24]. This moderate eruption caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout over parts of the Pacific Ocean, although its location on the limb meant the burst was not aimed at Earth ^[25] ^[26]. An associated Type-II radio emission was detected, indicating a coronal mass ejection (CME) was likely launched ^[27]. However, no Earth-directed CMEs were seen in coronagraph data, so this particular blast is not expected to impact our planet ^[28].

The flare nonetheless highlights the growing solar activity as Solar Cycle 25 approaches its peak. The Sun’s disk currently sports around 9–10 numbered sunspot regions visible, including a few magnetically complex spots capable of flaring ^[29] ^[30]. NASA and NOAA solar monitors say overall X-ray output is at low-to-moderate levels – mostly C-class flares with an occasional M-class. “Solar activity is expected to be low, with a chance for isolated M-class flares (R1-R2) over 27–29 Sep,” NOAA noted in its daily forecast ^[31]. SpaceWeather.com’s archive confirms that the last M-class flare occurred on Sept. 26 (the M1.6), and the last X-class flare was back in June ^[32].

One intriguing development is an active region about to rotate into Earth’s view on the Sun’s northeast limb. Observers saw “fiery prominence activity” over that limb in recent days – huge arches of plasma rising and falling – which suggests a strong sunspot may be hiding just out of view ^[33]. As this region turns toward Earth in the coming days, it could bring a “surge in solar activity” if it continues flaring. Sky watchers won’t see this directly, but it could lead to more aurora chances or even Earth-directed CMEs next week.

For now, no major solar storms are headed our way, aside from the coronal hole stream. The solar wind around Earth is averaging ~400 km/s with fairly quiet magnetic fields ^[34]. Energetic particle fluxes are at background levels ^[35]. This means clear skies prevail for observers of the Sun-Earth environment this weekend, aside from the mild geomagnetic unrest.

If you have a solar filter or attend a public observatory event, do check out the Sun safely – numerous sunspots speckle its face. But remember never to look at the Sun without proper protection (use approved solar viewers or telescopes with solar filters). With solar max nearing (forecast for 2025–2026), sunspot counts are high, and there’s a lot to see on our star’s surface for those with the right equipment.

Meteor Showers and Fireball Alerts

This weekend doesn’t feature a major meteor shower peak, but several minor showers and the seasonal uptick in fireballs will keep things interesting. The Southern Taurids are now active (from September 20 through November 20) ^[36]. The Taurids are a long-lasting, diffuse meteor stream produced by Comet 2P/Encke, notorious for slow, bright fireballs. In fact, “the Southern Taurids are rich in fireballs and often responsible for increased fireball reports from September through November,” according to the American Meteor Society ^[37].

Although the Southern Taurids’ main peak comes in early November, there is a minor peak around October 14 for the early Taurid component ^[38]. By late September, we are just entering the outskirts of Encke’s debris, so meteor rates from this source are low – perhaps ~3 meteors per hour in the pre-dawn hours ^[39]. However, any Taurid one does see is likely to be memorable: these meteors move slowly (27 km/s) and often streak across the sky as bright orange fireballs. Keep an eye out for any very slow, bright meteor this weekend – it could be a Taurid. They radiate from the constellation Pisces/Ares region, but Taurid fireballs can appear in any part of the sky.

Another source of meteors right now is the tail end of the September Epsilon Perseids (SPE). This minor shower peaked around mid-September, and by Sept. 27–28 its activity is essentially over – perhaps “less than 1 meteor per hour” remaining ^[40]. The SPE radiant is in Perseus (near the star Epsilon Persei). If you’re observing before dawn, any swift meteor from the northeast could have been one of the last epsilon Perseids. But expect very few; the shower is ending.

Interestingly, the Daytime Sextantids meteor shower is peaking around this weekend. The Sextantids are active Sept. 20 – Oct. 6, with a broad maximum reported around September 27–October 1. These meteors originate from a radiant in the constellation Sextans (near Leo), which lies only ~30° from the Sun ^[41]. That means the radiant is above the horizon only during daytime or very close to sunrise, making the shower essentially invisible to the eye at night. Daytime Sextantids are usually detected via radio meteor scatter or radar. Visual observers in the last dark hour before dawn might catch a very rare Sextantid meteor shooting upward from the eastern horizon, but rates are under 1 per hour ^[42]. If anything, the Sextantids are a cool note for meteor enthusiasts using radio receivers – they may notice a jump in pings during its peak days.

Looking ahead, we are on the verge of the Orionid meteor shower season. The Orionids (from Halley’s Comet) officially start on October 2 and build toward a peak on October 20–21. This weekend, Orionid activity hasn’t kicked in yet (maybe just the very first few meteors by the 28th). But by pre-dawn on Sunday you might see the very occasional Orionid from the Orion region, as a harbinger of the stronger shower next month. The good news: the Orionids’ 2025 peak will occur under a dark, moonless sky ^[43], so that’s something to anticipate in a few weeks.

How to watch for meteors: Plan to observe during the late night and early morning hours, when your location on Earth faces into the direction of Earth’s orbital motion (scooping up meteors). For Sept. 27–28, the Moon is at first quarter (50% lit on the 28th), setting around midnight. This means the hours after midnight until dawn will be moon-free and dark – ideal for meteor spotting. Find a safe, dark location with a broad view of the sky. Lie back in a lawn chair or on a blanket and let your eyes adapt (no bright phones or flashlights). You can expect on the order of 10 meteors per hour total from all sources (sporadics + minor showers) under truly dark skies ^[44]. Any given meteor could appear anywhere, so it’s best to gaze at a broad swath of sky (not fixed on one point). If you catch a bright fireball, note the time and location – you might be witnessing part of the Taurid fireball swarm or a random autumn bolide. And don’t forget to wish upon that shooting star!

Planetary Highlights: Saturn Shines, Jupiter Rises, Venus Dazzles

The planets are putting on a show this weekend, led by the majestic Saturn. On September 21, Saturn reached opposition – the point when Earth lies directly between Saturn and the Sun. At that moment Saturn was at its closest to Earth for the year, making it appear bigger and brighter than at any other time in 2025 ^[45]. It shines around magnitude 0.4 in the constellation Pisces, easy to spot with the naked eye as a steady, yellow-white “star” low in the east after sunset. By nightfall on Sept. 27–28, Saturn is already well above the horizon by early evening and stays up all night (setting near sunrise) ^[46]. “On Sept. 21, the ringed planet will reach opposition… Saturn will be visible all night, rising in the east around sunset and setting in the west around dawn,” noted a Live Science astronomy guide ^[47]. This means now is an ideal time to observe Saturn – it’s still near peak brightness and its rings are maximally tilted and reflecting sunlight, a phenomenon called the Seeliger effect that makes the rings particularly bright for a few days around opposition ^[48]. Even a small telescope will reveal Saturn’s gorgeous rings and maybe a moon or two (Titan, Rhea) around the planet.

Just days after Saturn, Neptune also reached opposition (on Sept. 23) ^[49]. Neptune lies in Aquarius, not far from Saturn in the sky, but at magnitude ~7.8 it’s far too dim to see without optical aid. With a decent telescope or strong binoculars (and a star chart), experienced observers might locate Neptune as a tiny bluish “star.” It’s pretty neat to think that right now both Saturn and Neptune are effectively at their closest and brightest for the year – though Neptune’s “brightness” is still quite faint! If you have a computerized telescope, you could try to spot Neptune for a fun challenge. Otherwise, know that it’s there, sharing the sky with its brighter sibling Saturn.

Meanwhile, Jupiter is approaching its own opposition later this year (scheduled for late November 2025). As we move into October, Jupiter is rising earlier and earlier. Over Sept. 27–28, giant Jupiter will rise in the east-northeast by around 9–10 p.m. local time (earlier in the night each week). By midnight it’s climbing high and dominating the eastern sky. Jupiter is impossible to miss – a brilliant magnitude -2.6 object in Aries that outshines every star. If you point binoculars at Jupiter, you can catch a glimpse of its four Galilean moons – little star-like points lined up near the planet. A telescope will show Jupiter’s cloud belts and perhaps the Great Red Spot if it’s facing Earth. This weekend, Jupiter and Saturn effectively tag-team the night: Saturn rules the evening hours, and Jupiter takes over as the brightest object in the late night and pre-dawn once it’s up.

And let’s not forget the Morning Star – Venus. After spending mid-year out of view, Venus is now a dazzling predawn object. It rose from inferior conjunction in August and has been climbing higher each morning. By late September, Venus rises around 3–4 a.m. local time (varying with location), and by the first light of dawn it’s blazing high in the east. Venus is at an extremely bright magnitude -4.6, meaning it literally pops out of the twilight – you might even catch it after sunrise with the naked eye if you know where to look. Early risers on Sept. 27–28 can enjoy Venus in the quiet morning hours; through a telescope, Venus appears as a thick crescent phase right now, since it’s on the far side of its orbit relative to Earth. Over the coming weeks Venus will get a bit higher and slightly dimmer as it heads toward greatest western elongation in October. For now though, it’s absolutely the “brightest star” in the sky before sunrise.

In summary, this weekend offers a mini planet parade across the night:

Evening (just after sunset): Look southeast to spot Saturn coming up. It will be due south by around midnight, then moving toward the west by dawn. This is prime time to view Saturn’s rings with a telescope or photograph the planet. The nearby 50%-lit Moon (first quarter on Sept. 28) is in Sagittarius and Capricornus this weekend, not very close to Saturn, so lunar glare shouldn’t interfere much. In fact, the half-moon will set around midnight, leaving Saturn in a darker sky late at night.
Late Night (~10 p.m.–midnight): Jupiter rises and joins the scene. By midnight, you can see Saturn high in the southwest and Jupiter low in the east simultaneously. These gas giants on opposite sides of the sky are a beautiful sight – compare Saturn’s golden hue to Jupiter’s white brilliance. If you have a wide view, you might also catch the Pleiades star cluster rising in the east and Orion appearing later in the night, hinting at winter skies to come.
Pre-Dawn (early morning): Venus enters, rising in the east while Jupiter shifts toward the western sky. Before the sky brightens, you could momentarily see Saturn sinking low in the west (it sets roughly an hour before sunrise by late September). That means for a brief window in the hour before dawn, an avid skywatcher could see Saturn, Jupiter, and Venus all at once – a triple-planet display spanning the sky. (Mars is the only bright planet missing; it’s too close to the Sun right now and not visible.) Take a moment in the cold early morning to appreciate Venus blazing in the east and Jupiter still high in the west – it’s the last time in 2025 we get such a lineup. As a bonus, Mercury is out of view currently, but will emerge in the evening sky by late October for those keeping track of the inner planet.

For planet observers, here are some tips: If you have binoculars or a telescope, use them! Focus on Jupiter to spy its moons (which change positions nightly – a mini dance around the planet), or zoom in on Saturn to admire the ring system. Steady, dark skies will give the best views; try to observe when the planet is highest above the horizon (to reduce atmospheric distortion). A tracking app or star chart can help pinpoint Neptune or Uranus (Uranus is mag 5.7 in Aries, rising later in the night near Jupiter – potentially visible in binoculars as a faint greenish dot). And for Venus, just enjoy its brilliance with the naked eye, or see the crescent shape through a scope (but only in darkness/twilight, never point optics at Venus after the Sun has risen!).

Comet Watch: New Visitor C/2025 R2 (SWAN25B)

Skywatchers have a new comet in the neighborhood – and it’s drawing a lot of buzz. Comet C/2025 R2, nicknamed SWAN25B, was only discovered in recent weeks (first spotted in data from the SOHO spacecraft’s SWAN instrument). Already, it has brightened to binocular visibility and sports a noticeable tail in astrophotographs ^[50]. Observers in the Southern Hemisphere and lower latitudes have started catching glimpses of this comet low in the evening sky after sunset.

According to NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day, “a newly discovered comet is already visible with binoculars… [Comet SWAN25B] is brightening significantly as it emerges from the Sun’s direction and might soon become visible to the naked eye” ^[51]. Comet SWAN25B will reach perihelion (closest point to the Sun) and also make a relatively close approach to Earth in mid-October (about 0.25 AU from Earth around October 19) ^[52]. If it continues to brighten as expected, some forecasts suggest it could attain 5th or even 4th magnitude, which is on the threshold of naked-eye visibility under dark skies. However, comet brightness predictions are notoriously tricky – they can fizzle out or surge unexpectedly.

Right now (late September), Comet SWAN25B is best seen from the Southern Hemisphere. It’s currently lurking in the western sky after sunset, moving northward each day. For observers in, say, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, or southern South America, the comet is visible low in evening twilight, near the western horizon shortly after sundown. You’d need binoculars and a clear view to the west to pick it out – reports say it appears as a fuzzy star with a faint tail. By early October, the comet’s position and growing brightness may bring it into view for mid-northern latitudes as well, possibly in the morning sky before dawn as it transitions. EarthSky notes that skywatchers should also be on the lookout around October 5 for any meteor activity related to Comet SWAN25B; Earth will pass through the plane of the comet’s orbit then, which could spawn a brief meteor shower if the comet left debris ^[53]. This is speculative, but an interesting possibility.

Even if you can’t see the comet yet, it’s exciting to know a potentially bright “new” comet is gracing our skies. Comets are relatively rare treats – the last bright comet many remember was NEOWISE in 2020. Will SWAN25B become the next one? Time will tell in the coming weeks. Amateur astronomers are already taking stunning images: the comet shows a pretty bluish-green coma and a narrow ion tail in photographs ^[54] (the color comes from gases like cyanogen and carbon fluorescing in sunlight).

What to do: If you’re an avid comet chaser, start preparing your gear for early October. For this weekend, those in far-southern locations can try hunting SWAN25B after sunset; use binoculars and scan just above the horizon during late dusk. There are comet charts available on sites like Sky & Telescope or Heavens-Above to guide you. For Northern Hemisphere observers, the comet isn’t quite accessible yet – but you can follow updates from sources like NASA, EarthSky, or SpaceWeather for when it becomes visible in your area. With luck, we might soon have a visible comet in our dawn or dusk sky to accompany the planets!

Satellite Re-entry Fireball: Sky Spectacle on Sept. 26

Finally, in the category of “other observable phenomena,” there was a spectacular fireball in the sky on the eve of this weekend – not a meteor shower, but a satellite re-entry that grabbed headlines. On the night of September 26, hundreds of witnesses across northern California and neighboring states reported a brilliant, slow-moving streak of light breaking apart across the sky. This wasn’t a natural space rock, but rather the planned re-entry of a SpaceX Starlink satellite. The satellite, identified as Starlink-1355, had been in a low orbit and was destined to burn up as it fell back to Earth. Aerospace Corporation had predicted its re-entry for Sept. 26 (±12 hours) ^[55], and sure enough, it came down right on schedule – providing an impromptu sky show for those underneath the path.

Eyewitness videos showed a glowing train of debris arcing through the night, breaking into smaller pieces with fiery flashes – a signature look for re-entering space junk. The Sacramento Bee noted that “a SpaceX Starlink satellite [lit] up the sky Sept. 26, 2025 over the Sacramento area and Northern California as it re-enters Earth’s atmosphere” ^[56]. Many onlookers initially thought it might be a meteor or even some kind of strange aircraft, but experts quickly identified it using satellite tracking data. Re-entering satellites can often be distinguished by their slow speed (relative to meteors), duration (several seconds to a minute), and fragmentation into multiple pieces. This Starlink reentry checked all those boxes. It was a planned deorbit – SpaceX disposes of older satellites by bringing them down safely to burn up – so it did not pose a hazard, and all debris likely vaporized before reaching the ground.

This event is a reminder that human-made objects produce “shooting stars,” too. In fact, space debris reentries are becoming more frequent as thousands of satellites orbit Earth. Just a week earlier, on Sept. 19, residents around New Delhi, India, were startled by a similar bright streak – later determined to be a decaying rocket stage reentering the atmosphere ^[57]. We might call these “artificial meteors.” They’re unpredictable for the average skywatcher (unless you monitor reentry forecasts closely), but when they occur over populated areas, they can certainly steal the show.

If you happen to witness an extremely slow fireball that travels across a large portion of the sky, consider that it might be space junk. One clue is if it breaks into multiple pieces with glittery flashes (from metals burning up) – that often indicates a man-made object. Organizations like The Aerospace Corporation and websites like Satflare or Heavens-Above sometimes post reentry predictions for large objects. In the case of the Starlink-1355, the predicted reentry time was Sept. 26, ~13:20 UTC (± 12 hours) ^[58], and it ended up coming down during the local evening in California (which matched that window). So, while not an “alert” you can plan for like an eclipse or meteor shower, it’s a noteworthy phenomenon to be aware of.

For our weekend of Sept. 27–28, there are no known major satellite reentries expected (none that would be visible events). But the buzz from the Sept. 26 event is still fresh. If you saw news of a UFO over California – mystery solved, it was a Starlink satellite meeting its fiery end. And as satellite fleets grow, keep in mind the occasional “UFO” in the night could very well be space hardware coming home.

Viewing Tips for the Weekend Sky

To wrap up, here’s a quick viewing guide to make the most of this action-packed skywatching weekend:

Check the Weather: First, ensure your local weather will cooperate. Clear, dark skies are key for all these events. If clouds persist, some live webcasts might cover auroras or planets, but nothing beats seeing it in person.
Dark Skies Matter: Whether you’re chasing auroras, meteors, or just admiring the Milky Way, find the darkest sky you can. Get away from city lights. Even for bright planets or auroras, light pollution can wash out fainter details (like the Milky Way backdrop or subtle aurora glow). A moonless late night (after the first-quarter moon sets) gives a nice dark window for meteor and aurora spotting.
Aurora Viewing: If you’re in a high latitude (e.g. Canada, Northern US states, Northern Europe), keep an eye north both Saturday and Sunday nights. Use a compass or note where the Sun set – auroras will center toward the geomagnetic north. Dress warmly and be prepared to stay up late, as auroras often strengthen after midnight. Consider using a camera on a tripod with a long exposure; sometimes a camera will pick up faint auroras before your eyes do. Follow NOAA Space Weather alerts (Kp index) on your phone if possible; a sudden jump in Kp or local magnetometer activity can signal auroras might be visible. And most importantly, be patient and enjoy the stars while you wait – the aurora is elusive and may come and go on a whim.
Meteor Watching: Plan a post-midnight meteor vigil. The best time is probably 3–5 a.m. local time on Sunday, Sept. 28 (with the Moon gone and many radiants high in the sky). Bring a comfy reclining chair, sleeping bag or blanket, and lay back to scan as much sky as possible. If you can, go with a friend or group – meteor watching is more fun with collective “oohs” and “aahs” when someone spots one. Count how many you see in an hour to gauge the activity. Remember, the Taurid fireballs, while few, could appear anywhere, so always be alert for sudden bright slow movers. You don’t need optics for meteors – just your eyes. Snacks, a warm beverage, and a star chart (to identify constellations during lulls) can make it a full experience. And don’t forget to make a wish if you see a really bright shooting star!
Planet Gazing: The planets will be some of the easiest targets. Right after dusk, point yourself southeast and admire Saturn. If you have a telescope, seize the early evening to get a clear view of Saturn while it’s at a decent height – around 8–10 p.m. it should be high enough for stable viewing. As the night goes on, shift to Jupiter – by midnight, a telescope view of Jupiter can reveal its cloud belts, and you might even catch one of its moons casting a tiny shadow on the planet (called a transit) if timed right. A good tip is to use a smartphone app (like SkySafari, Stellarium, etc.) to see the current configuration of Jupiter’s moons and any Great Red Spot visibility times. For Venus in the morning, it’s so bright that you just need clear eastward view 1–2 hours before sunrise; no telescope required, but if you do use one, do it during dark or dawn (never in full daylight) to see Venus’s crescent. Venus is a brilliant beacon – take a moment to notice how it might even cast a faint shadow in very dark conditions. By the way, the half Moon will be near the Sagittarius–Capricornus border this weekend – you might observe it in the evening with binoculars to see craters along the terminator (the line between lunar day and night). It won’t interfere much with planet observing or late-night meteor watching once it sets.
Comet and Deep-Sky: If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere or low latitudes, try spotting Comet SWAN25B soon after sunset. You’ll want binoculars and a clear view of the west. It will appear as a fuzzy star-like patch; if you have astrophoto gear, you might capture its tail. For everyone, late September evenings are great for deep-sky objects too – for example, the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is high in the east by late evening for mid-northern latitudes; the center of the Milky Way is still visible in the southwest early in the night (with Sagittarius and Scorpius setting). After the excitement of meteors or auroras, take a sweep through the Milky Way with binoculars – you’ll stumble on star clusters and nebulae aplenty on these crisp autumn nights.
Stay Safe and Enjoy: When heading out to dark locations at odd hours, be safe. Let someone know where you’ll be. Bring a red flashlight (to preserve night vision) instead of a white light. If you’re driving to a stargazing spot, be mindful of deer or animals at night. And pack layers – late September nights can be chilly, and if you’re standing still sky-gazing, it gets cold faster than you think.

Above all, take time to savor the experience. This weekend offers a bit of everything – from ethereal auroras, to streaking meteors, to the steady glow of planets and perhaps even a newborn comet. It’s a reminder of the constant action in our night sky. Clear skies and happy skywatching!

Sources: NASA/NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center ^[59] ^[60]; SpaceWeatherLive ^[61]; Space.com Aurora Forecast ^[62]; EarthSky solar update ^[63]; American Meteor Society ^[64]; International Meteor Organization ^[65] ^[66]; Live Science / NASA on Saturn’s opposition ^[67]; Royal Observatory Greenwich ^[68]; APOD/NASA on Comet SWAN25B ^[69]; Sacramento Bee/NOAA on satellite reentry ^[70] ^[71].