Cosmic Sky Show: Northern Lights, Shooting Stars & Space Spectacles Dazzle Sept. 26

Key Facts

Aurora Alert: Earth’s magnetic field is calming down after recent solar winds sparked bright auroras earlier this week, setting the stage for a mostly quiet geomagnetic weekend. However, the equinox effect means even a small uptick in solar wind could trigger surprise Northern Lights displays at high latitudes ^[1] ^[2]. Minor G1-class geomagnetic storms remain possible on Sept. 27 if an incoming coronal hole stream arrives ^[3].
Meteor Shower at Dawn: A minor meteor shower, the Daytime Sextantids, peaks on Sept. 27. Expect up to ~5 meteors per hour under dark skies. The catch? Its radiant is near the Sun, so the “shooting stars” are only visible in the pre-dawn hours (~4–5 AM local) when the sky is darkest ^[4]. Early risers with clear skies might catch a few slow, long meteors streaking upward before sunrise.
Sun & Space Weather: The Sun produced moderate flares this week – including an M1.6 solar flare on Sept. 24 that caused a brief minor radio blackout over the Pacific ^[5]. No major Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were detected ^[6]. NOAA forecasts mainly low-level C-class flares ahead, with a ~35% chance of another M-class flare in the coming days ^[7]. Geomagnetic conditions should stay quiet through Friday, with unsettled activity possible by Saturday as a coronal hole’s high-speed solar wind arrives ^[8].
Moon & Planets: Skywatchers are treated to a planetary showcase – Saturn (just past its Sept. 21 opposition) is shining bright and visible all night in the east after dusk ^[9], while Neptune (at opposition on Sept. 23) is also optimally placed for telescopic viewing ^[10]. In the pre-dawn sky, Venus and Jupiter continue to dazzle, slowly drifting apart after a recent conjunction ^[11]. The Moon reaches its farthest distance (apogee) on Sept. 26 ^[12] and appears as a delicate waxing crescent. On Sept. 26–27 evenings, the Moon glides through Scorpius – even occulting (eclipsing) the bright star Antares on the 27th for observers in parts of South America and the South Pacific ^[13].
Rocket Launches & Satellites:SpaceX kicked off Sept. 26 by launching 24 Starlink internet satellites from California at 04:26 GMT, marking the company’s 123rd Falcon 9 flight of 2025 ^[14] ^[15]. Just two days earlier, a Falcon 9 from Florida successfully delivered three new solar observatories (NASA’s IMAP, NOAA’s SWFO-L1, and the Carruthers geocorona experiment) into orbit – a “triple launch triumph” for space weather science ^[16]. China also scheduled back-to-back launches: a Long March rocket from Jiuquan on Sept. 26 (~19:15 UTC) and another from Taiyuan on Sept. 27 (~12:31 UTC), both carrying classified payloads to orbit ^[17].
Space Station Sightings: The International Space Station (ISS) is making spectacular evening passes over many areas this week. In the UK and similar latitudes, the bright station can be seen after sunset, appearing as one of the brightest “stars” sliding across the sky ^[18]. These favorable sighting opportunities continue through Sept. 29 before the ISS shifts to morning visibility next month. Keep an eye out for a brisk-moving, non-twinkling light cruising west-to-east – no telescope needed!
Viewing Conditions: Clear, dark skies are key for all these events. Aurora hunters in northern Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia, and Greenland have the best shot at any northern lights (faint glows may linger only in polar regions under quiet conditions ^[19]). Meteor observers should find a dark site with an unobstructed eastern horizon for pre-dawn Sextantids. The slim crescent Moon won’t contribute much light interference. Many parts of Europe and North America enjoy early autumn weather now; check local forecasts for cloud cover. For example, tours in Tromsø, Norway reported heavy clouds and even rain on recent nights – but brief clearings revealed some of the most colorful auroras in years during the equinox week ^[20] ^[21]. Patience can pay off!

Space Weather Outlook: Auroras & Solar Storms

After a geomagnetically active equinox week, Earth’s magnetosphere is settling down for now. A few days ago, skywatchers as far south as Alberta were treated to vibrant auroral shapes (one even looked like a green “shark’s fin” cutting through the stars) thanks to a high-speed solar wind stream ^[22]. As of Friday, Sept. 26, that solar wind has slackened, and NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center forecasts quiet geomagnetic conditions in the near term ^[23]. Any auroras tonight will likely be confined to the high Arctic latitudes – think northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland, or Arctic Scandinavia – and probably faint at that ^[24].

However, we’re in the equinox window, a time around the autumnal equinox when Earth’s tilted magnetic field can more easily connect with the solar wind. Space weather experts caution that “even minor disturbances can sometimes deliver surprising aurora shows” this time of year ^[25]. In other words, it’s worth keeping an eye on the aurora forecast if you live in aurora-prone zones. NOAA does indicate a coronal hole (an open magnetic region on the Sun) is rotating into position, and its fast solar wind stream could brush past Earth by Saturday, Sept. 27 ^[26] ^[27]. This might bump geomagnetic activity up to unsettled or active levels, with a chance for a G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm.

At most, that means Northern Lights could become visible again in the far-north skies this weekend – for example, the northern fringes of Europe or U.S./Canada might see a low green glow on the horizon if the Kp index rises into the 4–5 range. But unless that coronal hole’s wind is stronger than expected (or a stealthy CME sneaks in), no major geomagnetic storm is anticipated ^[28] ^[29]. As of now, NOAA predicts only Kp ~2 or below through Friday, possibly rising on Saturday ^[30].

The bottom line: aurora chasers should temper expectations but stay alert. We’ve just seen how unpredictable the auroras can be – earlier in the week a “quiet” forecast still produced a dazzling multicolored aurora in Norway when a brief clearing coincided with a minor geomagnetic uptick ^[31] ^[32]. As one space weather writer quipped, “Anything is possible… the equinox effect can turn even the slightest gust into a good display” of Northern Lights ^[33]. Sign up for aurora alert services if you don’t want to miss any sudden outburst, and if you’re in a high-latitude area, keep those cameras and eyes on the sky if the evening clears.

On the solar storm front, there’s been moderate activity on the Sun fueling these auroras. On September 24, an M1.6-class solar flare (moderate strength) erupted from sunspot region AR4224, briefly causing an R1-level radio blackout over parts of the Pacific ^[34]. Over the past 48 hours the Sun pumped out about a dozen lesser C-class flares as well ^[35]. Luckily, no major CMEs (coronal mass ejections) were aimed our way ^[36] – so we’re not expecting any direct “solar storm” impacts beyond the ongoing coronal hole effects. The solar flare uptick does remind us that the Sun is approaching the peak of its cycle, so bursts of activity are more common.

Forecasters say more flares are likely in the coming days, mostly of the C-class variety. There’s roughly a one-in-three chance of another M-class flare (which could cause minor radio blackouts) before month’s end ^[37]. Any such flare would need an accompanying Earth-directed CME to create a geomagnetic storm; none has been observed from the recent flares ^[38]. Spaceweather enthusiasts will also note that Bz, the interplanetary magnetic field orientation, has been flipping between north and south – it ended pointed southward on Sep. 25, which is favorable for auroras if other conditions cooperate ^[39].

In summary, for Sept. 26–27: geomagnetic activity is expected to be low to moderate. If you’re at high latitude under clear skies, keep an eye out for any green glows on the northern (or southern, in the Southern Hemisphere) horizon. And everyone can rest easy that no disruptive solar super-storms are hitting Earth this weekend.

Dawn Meteor Shower: Daytime Sextantids Peak

If you’re an early riser (or a night owl willing to stay up), Saturday morning offers a chance to catch some “shooting stars.” The Daytime Sextantids meteor shower peaks on September 27. This is a minor meteor shower – nothing like August’s famous Perseids – but it’s still an opportunity to spot a few meteors if conditions are right.

Here’s the challenge: the Sextantids’ radiant (the point in the sky the meteors appear to emanate from) lies in the constellation Sextans, which is very close to the Sun in the sky at this time of year. As the name hints, this shower is mostly active in the daytime. We obviously can’t see meteors in broad daylight, so our viewing window is limited to the dark hours just before dawn when Sextans briefly rises above the horizon ahead of the Sun ^[40].

When to watch: Plan to be outside roughly 4:00–5:30 AM local time on the morning of the 27th (Saturday) – that’s the sweet spot before morning twilight washes out the stars ^[41]. The Moon will be a thin crescent and sets early, so moonlight won’t spoil things (a nice change from some recent meteor showers that coincided with a bright Moon). Give your eyes a good 20 minutes to adjust to the dark. Meteors from this shower are on the slower side (entering at ~32 km/s) so they may appear as graceful, somewhat longer-lived streaks compared to the zippier Perseids ^[42].

Where to look: The meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, but if you trace their paths backward, they’ll all point to a spot near Sextans (just below the constellation Leo, which in early dawn will be in the east-southeast). It might help to face generally east where the Sun will rise, because that’s roughly where the radiant will be, just still below the horizon before twilight. Often, the best strategy is to lie back and take in as much sky as possible – meteors could shoot overhead or even behind you. A comfy lounge chair or blanket can save your neck from craning.

What to expect: The Daytime Sextantids are not a prolific shower; the expected rate is modest – about 5 meteors per hour at the peak under ideal conditions ^[43]. In practice, that means you might see a meteor every 10–15 minutes on average if you’re far from city lights. Some years the Sextantids surprise observers with brief outbursts, but none are specifically predicted for 2025. Any meteors you catch are essentially bonus streaks of celestial dust – this shower’s particles come from an asteroid (2005 UD) rather than a comet, making it interesting to scientists who study meteor origins ^[44].

Don’t be disappointed if you only catch a couple of meteors. You’re still out under the stars during a peaceful time of night – and as dawn approaches, you’ll get to see Venus rising brilliantly (more on that below) and maybe even the elusive zodiacal light (a faint cone of sunlight reflecting off interplanetary dust, visible in dark skies before morning twilight near the ecliptic plane). The equinox period is actually great for spotting the zodiacal light in the Northern Hemisphere pre-dawn ^[45], so keep an eye out for a diffuse glow extending up from the horizon.

If meteor-hunting isn’t your forte, don’t fret – larger meteor showers are on the horizon. Next up will be the Draconids in early October (usually a minor shower but occasionally flares up) and then the Orionids in late October (a dependable medium-strength shower from Halley’s Comet). So think of the Sextantids as a warm-up act for the bigger meteor shows later in the fall. And remember, even one bright fireball can make your night – so that pre-dawn wakeup could be worth it!

Moon & Planetary Highlights

The Moon and planets are offering plenty to see on Sept. 26–27, even without any special “supermoon” or eclipse during these particular nights. Here’s a rundown:

Crescent Moon meets Antares: Look to the southwest sky after dusk on Friday and Saturday. You’ll find the waxing crescent Moon hanging in the constellation Scorpius. On Sept. 26, the slender Moon will be a short distance from Antares, the red-orange first-magnitude star that marks the Scorpion’s heart ^[46]. By the next evening (Sept. 27), the Moon moves even closer – practically right next to Antares from our viewpoint. In fact, for some lucky observers in the far Southern Hemisphere (parts of Chile, Argentina, Easter Island, and Antarctica), the Moon will pass directly in front of Antares on the 27th, causing an occultation (star eclipse) around 18:00 UTC ^[47]. Those within the narrow occultation zone will see Antares suddenly wink out as the Moon’s unlit edge covers it, then reappear about an hour later from behind the Moon’s bright side. If you’re outside that zone, you’ll simply see the Moon and Antares side-by-side – a beautiful close conjunction visible to the naked eye. Either way, it’s a nice sight and a great chance to point out Antares, a red supergiant star 550 light-years away, to any friends who are observing with you. (Fun fact: Antares is often called the “rival of Mars” because of its similar hue. Coincidentally, Mars itself is near Antares in the sky this week too – but much fainter now, as Mars is on the far side of the Sun.)
Moon at Apogee: On the morning of Sept. 26, the Moon reached its farthest distance from Earth for the month. This point, called apogee, was at about 405,548 km away ^[48]. The Moon’s apparent size is a bit smaller now than average, though it’s not very noticeable to the naked eye – and since we’re in a crescent phase, there’s no bright “mini-Moon” to really highlight (unlike a full micromoon). The main effect is the Moon’s gravitational tug is slightly weaker, which marginally affects tides. This apogee was not special enough to be called a “Micromoon” by popular definition (usually that term is used for a full moon near apogee), but it’s the opposite of the “supermoon” hype we had earlier in the year.
Saturn Dominates the Evening:Saturn is the planet to watch right after nightfall. It reached opposition (its yearly closest approach to Earth) on September 21, and it’s currently shining at its brightest of the year ^[49]. You’ll find Saturn rising in the east around sunset, glowing with a steady golden light among the dim stars of Aquarius (for Northern Hemisphere observers) or Pisces (for Southern Hemisphere). By 9–10 PM, Saturn is fairly high up and an easy naked-eye target. This is an excellent time to point a telescope at Saturn if you have one – even a small scope will reveal the rings of Saturn clearly. Around opposition, Saturn’s rings also show the Seeliger effect (they appear a bit brighter due to the way sunlight hits the ring particles head-on). Bonus: If you have binoculars or a telescope, see if you can spot Saturn’s giant moon Titan, which looks like a tiny star near Saturn. Titan is actually larger than Mercury! Saturn will remain an all-night object for the next several weeks, slowly getting a little dimmer as Earth pulls ahead of it in our orbits, but it’s still a highlight of the autumn sky.
Neptune at Opposition: While you’re in the vicinity of Saturn, know that Neptune is also in the same general part of the sky. The outermost planet reached opposition on Sept. 23 ^[50], so it’s about as close and bright as it ever gets (though “bright” is relative – Neptune is magnitude 7.8, far too dim to see without optical aid). Neptune sits roughly in between Saturn and Jupiter along the ecliptic. Specifically, it’s in the constellation Pisces, not far from the border of Aquarius. To find it, you’d need a detailed star chart or a planetarium app – and either binoculars or, better yet, a telescope. Through a telescope at medium-high magnification, Neptune will appear as a tiny blue-gray disk, a distinct planet rather than a point of light. Knowing you’re seeing the distant ice giant ~4.3 billion km away is a thrill for dedicated stargazers. If you don’t manage to spot Neptune, don’t worry; it’s a challenging object. But it’s neat to know it’s up there right now, almost directly opposite the Sun, sharing the sky with its fellow ringed world Saturn. Interestingly, Saturn and Neptune are only about 7° apart in the sky this week – a small coincidence of two very different worlds. They won’t appear this close together at opposition for many years, since Neptune’s orbit is so slow.
Jupiter & Venus in the Morning: Early risers are in for a treat completely separate from the meteors. If you go outside about 90 minutes before sunrise, you’ll notice Jupiter and Venus blazing away in the pre-dawn darkness ^[51]. Jupiter is currently high in the south at dawn (for mid-northern latitudes), bright white and impossible to miss. Venus, on the other hand, is the Morning Star now – it just emerged from behind the Sun a couple of months ago and has been climbing higher each morning. Look toward the east: Venus is extraordinarily bright (magnitude –4.6, its maximum brilliancy around this time) and outshines everything except the Moon. In fact, Venus and Jupiter recently had a close conjunction in early September, appearing only about 20′ apart on Sept. 5 in a stunning visual pairing. They’ve separated since – now a considerable distance apart in the sky – but you can still see both easily. Venus is lower in the east, Jupiter higher toward the south. If you have a view of the horizon, you might also catch Mercury just above the eastern horizon very low (it’s finishing a morning apparition), though it will be faint in the twilight and probably requires binoculars to pick out. Mars is technically in the morning sky too, but it’s so close to the Sun now that it’s lost in the solar glare.
Uranus (Bonus): For completeness, yes, Uranus is also out there, rising in the late evening and highest before dawn in Aries. It shines at about magnitude 5.7 – barely at the edge of naked-eye visibility under perfect dark skies. With binoculars or a small scope, you can spot Uranus as a tiny, pale greenish star. It lies roughly between Jupiter and the Pleiades in the predawn sky. If you manage to spot Uranus and Neptune both, you’ll have essentially “collected” all seven planets currently visible (excluding Earth under your feet!).

In short, the planetary lineup this weekend is fantastic: Saturn ruling the night, Jupiter late night to dawn, Venus and Jupiter together before sunrise, plus a cameo by the crescent Moon visiting Antares. No special rare alignment at this exact moment, but plenty of individual delights. Be sure to show any newcomers Saturn through a telescope – it’s often cited as a life-changing view. And even with just your eyes, noticing Venus and Jupiter simultaneously in the sky is awe-inspiring (Venus in the east, Jupiter in the west in early dawn).

Satellite Launches, Space Station & More

Space activity doesn’t stop for the weekend! Over Sept. 26–27 there’s been a flurry of rocket launches and orbital action – and the ISS is gracing our skies as well:

Starlink Mission: In the early hours of September 26, SpaceX successfully launched 24 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit ^[52]. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 12:26 AM EDT (04:26 GMT), and minutes later its first-stage booster landed on the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific ^[53]. This launch (carrying the batch labeled Starlink Group 17-11) was notably the 15th Falcon 9 flight this month alone, and the 123rd of the year, keeping SpaceX’s 2025 launch cadence at a blistering record pace ^[54]. With this mission, SpaceX’s Starlink internet constellation now swells to nearly 8,500 active satellites in orbit ^[55] – an astounding number that underscores how quickly our night sky is filling with moving points! (For perspective, just a few years ago only a few thousand total satellites were in orbit.) If you’re far from city lights, you might even catch a “Starlink train” – a line of faint star-like dots – from this or recent launches, as the satellites line up and raise their orbits. They tend to be visible a day or two after launch, shortly after sunset or before sunrise.
Solar Observatory Trio Launched: A particularly exciting development for space science: On Sept. 25, a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Kennedy Space Center lofted three cutting-edge solar observatories in one go ^[56]. This included NASA’s IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe), which will travel to the L1 Lagrange point to study the boundary of the heliosphere (where the solar wind meets interstellar space), and NOAA’s SWFO-L1 (Space Weather Follow-On) satellite, which will continuously monitor the Sun for solar flares and CMEs from the same vantage point ^[57]. Also aboard was the Carruthers Geocorona Observatory, a Naval Research Lab mission to study Earth’s outer atmosphere. All three spacecraft were successfully deployed and are on their way to their station roughly 1.5 million km sunward of Earth ^[58]. Space enthusiasts have dubbed it a “triple launch triumph” – a phrase even used by EarthSky news – because sending multiple space weather missions at once is a big win for our ability to predict and understand solar storms. These satellites will help give us earlier warnings of solar activity and improve our models of space weather that affects everything from power grids to astronaut safety.
Chinese Launches: Not to be outdone, China had its own orbital launch plans for this timeframe. According to launch schedules, on Sept. 26 China’s space program launched a rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (in the Gobi Desert) at approximately 19:15 UTC ^[59]. This was reported as either a Long March 4C or Long March 2D rocket (sources differ, but it was a medium-lift launch vehicle) carrying an unknown payload to a sun-synchronous orbit. Such secrecy typically indicates a military or reconnaissance satellite. The very next day, Sept. 27, another Chinese Long March 6A rocket lifted off around 12:30 UTC from Taiyuan Satellite Center ^[60], again with undisclosed payloads (possibly earth-observation satellites or technology test satellites). China often announces successful launches after the fact via state media, so by the time you read this, we expect confirmation that both missions reached orbit. These back-to-back launches highlight China’s rapidly growing launch rate and its push in both government and commercial space arenas.
ISS Sightings: Meanwhile in low Earth orbit, the International Space Station continues its 90-minute laps around our planet. This week, the ISS’s orbit geometry is favorable for evening viewings in many locations. For much of Europe (including the UK) and parts of the northern U.S., the ISS is currently making bright passes shortly after sunset ^[61]. Look for a fast-moving bright light – brighter than most stars – that glides steadily across the sky from west to east. It typically appears a few tens of degrees above the horizon, climbs higher, then vanishes as it enters Earth’s shadow (or vice versa). Each pass lasts only about 5–6 minutes of visible time ^[62]. No binoculars are needed; in fact, the station’s apparent motion is best appreciated with the naked eye. If you haven’t seen the ISS before, it can be quite striking – it’s the size of a football field and the sunlight reflecting off its solar panels is what makes it so bright.

In the UK, the SPA (Society for Popular Astronomy) notes the ISS is making a “spectacular series” of post-sunset passes through the end of September ^[63]. For example, around 8 PM local time you might catch it soaring overhead. By early October, these evening passes will cease (shifting to morning), so now is the time to wave hello to the astronauts. Currently there are seven crew members aboard (a mix of NASA, Roscosmos, and a JAXA astronaut, reflecting a rare ongoing US-Russian cooperation in orbit) ^[64]. If you want precise timings for your town, you can use NASA’s “Spot the Station” website or various smartphone apps – just input your location and they’ll give you upcoming flyover times down to the second. Many cities will have multiple passes on a given night, sometimes one right after the other (~90 minutes apart). Just make sure you’re out a few minutes early and have a clear view of the sky. It’s a fun family activity to track the ISS – kids are often amazed to learn that’s a spaceship with humans on board up there!

Other Notable Launches/Satellites: Also of note, on Sept. 25, United Launch Alliance flew an Atlas V 551 rocket from Florida carrying Amazon’s Project Kuiper prototype internet satellites (this happened just before our 26–27 window, but it’s a key space news item as Amazon enters the broadband megaconstellation race). And looking ahead to Sept. 28, SpaceX has yet another Falcon 9 slated – this time from Florida for more Starlinks – plus a second launch from California the same day, illustrating how routine orbital launches are becoming ^[65]. While these don’t produce skywatching phenomena per se (apart from occasionally visible rocket streaks or fuel dumps), they are shaping the space environment we observe. Satellite re-entries this week have been mostly benign – an old Starlink or two have decayed harmlessly, with one piece spotted breaking up over North America earlier in the week (no, it wasn’t a meteor!).

Overall, the artificial sky objects – satellites, space station, and rockets – are a busy part of this week’s story. They serve as a reminder that when we gaze up looking for natural wonders like auroras or meteors, we now also frequently catch glimpses of human technology zipping overhead. Depending on your perspective, that’s either exciting or a bit intrusive on the night sky (astronomers have raised concerns about the proliferation of bright satellites). But this weekend, the show is still mostly natural, and there’s plenty to enjoy.

Viewing Tips and Regional Outlook

Finally, to make the most of these skywatching opportunities, let’s talk conditions and tips:

Dark Skies: This cannot be overstated – try to get away from city lights. The meteors, faint auroras, and zodiacal light all require dark conditions to see well. If you’re near urban areas, even driving 30 minutes out to a darker spot can dramatically increase what you’ll see. The Moon is currently a non-issue (a thin crescent setting early), so we have a great window for deep darkness in the late night and pre-dawn hours.
Weather Forecasts: Check your local weather for cloud cover predictions on Friday and Saturday nights. Early autumn weather can be variable. Large portions of North America are experiencing clear high-pressure conditions this week – excellent for stargazing – but a few areas are dealing with rain from lingering storm systems. In Europe, forecasts show generally clear skies in parts of central and Eastern Europe, whereas the UK and coastal Western Europe might see some cloud and fog overnight. In northern regions like Iceland or Northern Canada (prime aurora territory), fall weather is always hit-or-miss with cloud cover; some nights have crystal-clear, frigid air, others have overcast skies. For example, as one aurora tour guide in Tromsø reported, they had “super cloudy” skies with even some rain on a recent night, yet later in the evening the sky cleared up just when it mattered and unleashed a stunning aurora show ^[66]. The lesson: don’t give up if you see clouds early on – the situation can change. And dress warmly, especially if you’ll be outside at 4 AM for meteors!
Aurora Viewing: If a geomagnetic alert does come (say Kp 5), people in Scotland, Scandinavia, Canada’s lower provinces, northern-tier U.S. states (Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, etc.) should be on standby. Auroras would appear as a green or whitish glow low on the horizon, possibly with faint pillars or pulses. Higher up north (Alaska, Nordic countries), you could get a full overhead dance. Use a camera with a high ISO and long exposure to detect auroras that might be too faint for your eyes. And remember, midnight to 3 AM is typically prime time if auroras are going to peak. There’s also the Southern Hemisphere aurora (Aurora Australis) – Kp 5 might bring it into view for places like Tasmania or the far south of New Zealand.
Meteor Watching: For the Sextantids, as mentioned, you need to be out before dawn. A comfortable reclining chair, a blanket or sleeping bag (it can get dewy and cold pre-dawn), and a warm drink can make meteor observing much nicer. Face eastward and don’t lose hope after 10 minutes with nothing – meteors often come in spurts. You might see other random meteors (called sporadics or from minor background showers) in addition to the Sextantids. Make it a game – count how many you see and note the times.
Planets & Moon: No special gear needed to enjoy the planet show – just your eyes. But if you have binoculars, scanning the Moon (even a crescent) is rewarding; you can see earthshine faintly illuminating the dark side of the Moon. Binoculars will also reveal Jupiter’s four largest moons (tiny star-like dots lined up near the planet). A small telescope can add a lot: Jupiter’s cloud bands and Saturn’s rings are visible even in a 60–90mm scope under decent conditions. If you’re up at dawn, point those binoculars or telescope at Venus and you’ll see it actually has a phase (right now Venus looks like a gibbous disk since it’s on the far side of the Sun). Just be sure to finish observing Venus before the Sun comes up – you never want to accidentally look at the Sun through optics.
ISS and Satellites: To catch the ISS, timing is everything. Use an app or online tracker, and get to a location with a clear view of the western horizon for the start of the pass. Often, you can see the station while the sky is not fully dark (in twilight), which actually helps because fewer stars means the moving ISS stands out more clearly. If you see it, wave – there are humans on that fast-moving point of light! For photographing the ISS pass, a trick is to set up a camera on a tripod with a 10-30 second exposure; you’ll capture its streak across the stars (as in the photo above ^[67]). As for freshly launched satellites like the Starlink train, look for a series of dim stars moving in a line. They’re usually visible a day or two after launch in early evening. There are websites that predict when Starlink flares or trains are visible at your location too.
Expert Insight: In the words of long-time NASA astronomer Mitzi Adams, who often reminds skywatchers: “The sky is dynamic – it’s always changing. Even if something isn’t forecast to happen, look up anyway!” This weekend is a great example – a week ago we didn’t know that an M1 flare or a surprise aurora would occur, yet they did. You never know when a bright fireball meteor might blaze across the sky unexpectedly or a surprise auroral substorm might flare up due to a transient solar impulse. The key is to be outside and looking up.

Enjoy the celestial show! Whether it’s a subtle auroral glow, a tiny streak of a Sextantid meteor, or simply the radiant planet Venus greeting you at dawn, the cosmos is offering something for everyone these nights. Clear skies and happy skywatching.

Sources: The above roundup is based on the latest updates from NOAA, NASA, and astronomy news outlets. For instance, NOAA’s Space Weather Center reported quiet geomagnetic conditions with a chance of a minor uptick by Sept. 27 ^[68], and space reporters noted that any auroras this weekend will likely remain confined to high latitudes ^[69]. EarthSky.org provided context on the Sun’s recent flares and the successful launch of new solar-monitoring spacecraft ^[70] ^[71]. Skywatching guides from EarthSky and Space.com were used to compile the planetary and lunar highlights ^[72] ^[73]. Launch news comes from Space.com and launch schedule trackers ^[74] ^[75]. For real-time alerts, you can follow NASA, NOAA SWPC, and reputable astronomy sites for any changes in the forecast. Clear skies!