September 2025 Stargazing Guide: Full Corn Moon, A Ghostly Pyramid And Much More

We've barely ticked over into September and yet this month promises to dazzle both seasoned astronomers and casual skygazers allike. From a rare lunar eclipse to a planetary opposition and the annual shift of seasons, the month is packed with opportunities to be amazed by what the heavens have in store for us.

The month kicks off with a total lunar eclipse on September 7. Often referred to as the full Corn Moon, this event will see the Moon pass into Earth’s shadow, taking on a deep, reddish/golden hue. This is a must-see event, visible from a large portion of the globe. Following this, on September 12, a lunar occultation will occur as the Moon passes in front of the Pleiades star cluster, temporarily hiding the stars in that area from view.
Planets will also be putting on a show throughout the month. For example, early risers on the 1st (around 5:30 a.m. EST) were treated to a trio of Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter shining together just over the pre-dawn horizon. Don't worry if you missed it, because on September 19, an even rarer alignment will take place as the crescent Moon, Venus, and the bright Regulus star form a triangle that can be seen without any optical aid. Later in the month, Saturn reaches its opposition on September 21. This is the best time of the year to observe the ringed planet, as it will be at its brightest and closest to Earth, shining with a steady golden glow.

And then there's the rather elusive zodiacal light, sometimes known as the false dawn, which is best seen for around two weeks from the 19th. Just look towards the eastern pre-dawn sky and you could spot the faint, pyramid-shaped glow created by sunlight reflecting off cosmic dust in the inner solar system. The glow is similar in intensity to the light of the Milky Way, but can be mistaken for artificial lights, so be sure to view the false dawn away from strong light sources like the Moon or cities.