As the nights begin to stretch longer and the air turns crisper, September skies unveil their celestial tapestries, stitched with ancient myths and sprinkled with stellar wonders.
This month features an array of constellations that not only captivate the imagination but also serve as beacons for stargazers to navigate the night’s canvas.
Let’s embark on a journey through the constellations that grace the September sky, unveiling the stories and celestial objects they harbor.
What are the September Constellations?
The September Constellations are:
- Capricornus (The Sea-Goat) – Represents ambition and determination, symbolized through the unique figure of a sea-goat.
- Cygnus (The Swan) – Known for its distinctive cross shape, this constellation is sometimes also referred to as the Northern Cross.
- Delphinus (The Dolphin) – A smaller constellation, Delphinus is easily identifiable by its compact, dolphin-like shape.
- Equuleus (The Little Horse) – The second smallest constellation in the sky, representing a tiny horse or foal.
- Grus (The Crane) – Characterizes a migratory bird, symbolizing the transition of seasons as it flies across the celestial sphere.
- Microscopium (The Microscope) – Pays homage to the scientific instrument, celebrating advancements in science.
- Vulpecula (The Fox) – Often depicted with a goose it has captured, representing cunning and resourcefulness in mythology.
1. Capricornus (The Sea Goat)
Capricornus, the celestial sea goat, traverses the night sky with a unique blend of terrestrial and aquatic majesty.
This constellation embodies the mythical creature from Greek mythology, with the upper body of a goat and the lower body of a fish. Capricornus is associated with ambition, discipline, and the pursuit of success.
Details
- Number of Stars: 110
- Main Aspect: Depicts a creature combining the features of a goat and a fish.
- Principal Stars: Algedi, Deneb Algedi
- Brightest Star: Deneb Algedi
- Hemisphere: Southern
- TL;DR: Capricornus represents ambition and discipline, embodying the mythological sea goat that strives for success.
2. Cygnus (The Swan)
Cygnus, the graceful swan, glides through the night sky, captivating observers with its elegance and celestial beauty.
Named after the bird of Greek mythology associated with various tales, this constellation contains the prominent Northern Cross asterism. Cygnus is also known for harboring several notable stars and astronomical objects, including the famous Swan Nebula (Messier 17).
Details
- Number of Stars: 84
- Main Aspect: Depicts a graceful, celestial representation of a swan in flight.
- Principal Stars: Deneb, Albireo, Sadr
- Brightest Star: Deneb
- Hemisphere: Northern
- TL;DR: Cygnus showcases the beauty and grace of a celestial swan, hosting the Northern Cross asterism and stunning astronomical objects.
3. Delphinus (The Dolphin)
Delphinus, the playful dolphin, leaps joyfully across the night sky, brightening the cosmic panorama.
This small constellation is named after the mythical dolphin from Greek mythology associated with tales of friendship and rescue. Delphinus contains several double stars and the famous star group known as Job’s Coffin.
Details
- Number of Stars: 15
- Main Aspect: Depicts a joyful dolphin gracefully leaping through the celestial waters.
- Principal Stars: Rotanev, Sualocin, Sualocin B
- Brightest Star: Rotanev
- Hemisphere: Northern
- TL;DR: Delphinus illuminates the night sky with a playful dolphin, symbolizing friendship and joy, while also hosting double stars and Job’s Coffin.
4. Equuleus (The Little Horse)
Equuleus, the little horse, gallops through the night sky, capturing the hearts of stargazers with its elegance and charm.
Known as the second smallest constellation in the sky, Equuleus is often associated with the story of the winged horse Pegasus from Greek mythology. Though modest in size, Equuleus adds its own touch of enchantment to the celestial tableau.
Details
- Number of Stars: 5
- Main Aspect: Depicts a small, graceful horse.
- Principal Stars: Kitalpha
- Brightest Star: Kitalpha
- Hemisphere: Northern
- TL;DR: Equuleus portrays a delightful little horse, representing the mythical connection to Pegasus and adding its own sense of charm to the night sky.
5. Grus (The Crane)
Grus, the majestic crane, soars through the southern skies, inspiring awe with its graceful form.
This constellation takes the shape of a crane, a bird revered in various cultures throughout history. In addition to its elegant appearance, Grus hosts several notable celestial objects, including the famous Eskimo Nebula (NGC 2392).
Details
- Number of Stars: 89
- Main Aspect: Depicts a regal, long-necked crane in flight.
- Principal Stars: Alnair, Al Dhanab, Fomalhaut
- Brightest Star: Alnair
- Hemisphere: Southern
- TL;DR: Grus showcases the grandeur and beauty of a celestial crane, serving as home to noteworthy celestial objects.
6. Microscopium (The Microscope)
Microscopium, the microscopic instrument, unveils the wonders of the cosmic realm, revealing the infinitesimal details of the universe.
This tiny constellation represents a microscope, symbolizing humanity’s quest for knowledge and exploration in the realm of the small. Despite its diminutive size, Microscopium invites observers to uncover the hidden mysteries of the night sky.
Details
- Number of Stars: 27
- Main Aspect: Depicts a microscopic instrument, symbolic of exploration and the pursuit of knowledge.
- Principal Stars: Gamma Microscopii, Beta Microscopii
- Brightest Star: Gamma Microscopii
- Hemisphere: Southern
- TL;DR: Microscopium encapsulates the human desire for discovery and understanding, representing a microscopic instrument for exploring the wonders of the cosmos.
7. Vulpecula (The Fox)
Vulpecula, the cunning fox, stealthily traverses the night sky, leaving a trail of celestial enchantment in its wake.
This constellation depicts a fox, often associated with intelligence and trickery in various mythologies and folklore. Vulpecula is known for hosting the famous Dumbbell Nebula (Messier 27), an awe-inspiring emission nebula.
Details
- Number of Stars: 20
- Main Aspect: Depicts a clever and elusive fox.
- Principal Stars: Anser, Lucida Anseris
- Brightest Star: Anser
- Hemisphere: Northern
- TL;DR: Vulpecula showcases the sly and intelligent nature of a fox, offering celestial wonders like the Dumbbell Nebula to inspire and delight observers.