Evening sky in September 2006

With the treasures of the southern skies, local observers may not feel the need to look north. Nevertheless, the northern Milky Way - visible in the evening only during August to October - has some significant features and prominent foreground constellations. Start by locating the stars of Sagittarius set against the Milky Way almost overhead. Following the line of the Milky Way towards the north leads one to the bright star Altair (with companion stars on either side) in the constellation of Aquila, the eagle. Still further, making a line parallel to the Milky Way, are the stars of Cygnus - depicting a swan in flight - with bright star Deneb. Off to its left is the bright star Vega; way off to its right, the 'Great Square' of Pegasus is rising.

With a dark sky, the Milky Way behind Aquila and Cygnus appears divided by the 'Great Rift', in reality a prominent dust lane in the local spiral structure of our galaxy.

Jupiter (very bright, above the western horizon) is the only planet easily visible.

The Moon is in the night sky until September 9 and after September 24.