September's Best Sky Show Arrives This Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend brings September's first big skywatching event, but it'll take an early alarm to catch it: a crescent moon lines up between Mars and Jupiter in the eastern sky before sunrise Monday, with Orion shining nearby as a bonus.

No Equipment Needed for This Early-Morning Sky Show

The crescent moon appears between Mars and Jupiter in the eastern sky before sunrise Monday, creating an easy-to-spot lineup for anyone with a clear view of the horizon. The best viewing window comes about an hour before sunrise, and no telescope or binoculars are required, just a spot away from trees, buildings and bright lights that could block the low eastern sky.

The constellation Orion appears just to the right of the scene as an added bonus. Orion is largely absent from summer skies since it sits in the same part of the sky as the sun during those months, but it returns to view as autumn approaches.

Watch closely and the moon's dark side may show a faint glow, a phenomenon called earthshine. It happens when sunlight reflects off Earth and lights up the portion of the moon not directly illuminated by the sun.

A Second Chance Before Tuesday's Sunrise

Anyone who misses Monday's lineup gets another shot before daybreak Tuesday, when the moon appears as a thinner crescent near Jupiter.

What's Next

This is just the first of several skywatching highlights on tap for September, with the fall equinox and the Harvest Moon both still ahead later in the month.

Weather changes fast, so help your community stay prepared. Share this story with friends, family, or your group chat, and keep your forecast in the now with Weather Forecast Now.