GoKawiilNASA-style skywatching guide highlights September's meteor showers and moon pairings
Skywatchers can catch two minor meteor showers in September: the Aurigids, peaking September 1 and fueled by comet C/1911 N1 Kiess, and the Southern Taurids, which begin September 20 and run through November, driven by comet 2P/Encke. Both are best viewed by locating their radiant constellations—Auriga and Taurus—though neither shower produces a heavy meteor count this early in its cycle.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
After a summer packed with a solar eclipse, the Perseids, and a lunar eclipse, September offers a quieter but still active transition period for amateur astronomers heading into fall. Knowing which showers are minor versus which will peak later, like the Southern Taurids in November, helps stargazers set realistic expectations and plan future viewing nights, including the rare 'swarm year' predicted for 2032.
- Aurigids meteor shower peaks September 1, fueled by comet C/1911 N1 Kiess.
- Southern Taurids begin September 20 and last until November 20, tied to comet 2P/Encke.
- Both showers are minor now, with the Taurids' strongest 'swarm year' not expected until 2032.
Celestron NexStar 130SLT Telescope — If September's Aurigids, moon meetups and constellation hunting have you looking up, a computerized reflector like the NexStar 130SLT makes it easy to actually find what you're chasing. Its motorized GoTo mount slews to targets from a built-in object database, so you can spend the night observing instead of squinting at star charts.
See Celestron NexStar 130SLT Telescope on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: cnet.com — Joe Hindy, 2026-08-28
Published there as: “Eyes Up, Stargazers! Here’s What You Can See in September Night Skies”
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