Nights to become longer than days after Sept 23 equinox

Before this month is over, night will become longer than day in the Philippines – that is, after the autumnal equinox on September 23, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said. In its astronomical diary for September, PAGASA also said the constellations and stars along the Milky Way will begin to give way this month to the fainter constellations. “Philippine nights will be longer as the Sun approaches the celestial equator. Autumnal equinox will occur on September 23 when day and night will have equal length on Earth," PAGASA said. On the other hand, PAGASA said the constellations and stars along the Milky Way from the constellations Cygnus (the Swan) in the north to Sagittarius and Scorpius in the south will soon yield this month to fainter constellations, many of them with watery associations such as:

• Capricornus, the Sea Goat
• Aquarius, the Water Bearer
• Pisces the Fish.

The famous asterism Teapot in the constellation of Sagittarius can be observed at about 40 to 47 degrees above the southern horizon, an hour after sunset, PAGASA said. Betelgeuse, the super giant red star and the prominent star of the famous constellation Orion, the Mighty Hunter, will be located at about 25 degrees to the upper right of Mars. Sirius, the brightest star in the sky of the constellation Canis Major (Big Dog) will glow below the constellation of Orion. Procyon, the brightest star of the constellation Canis Minor (Little Dog) can be located at the lower left of Canis Major. “By drawing an imaginary line among the bright stars of these constellations, an equilateral triangle will be formed called the Winter Triangle," PAGASA said. Visible planets Mercury and Mars will be found in the eastern horizon before sunrise. Mars will gradually brighten from magnitude +1.4 to +1.3 during the month. For its part, Mercury will brighten from magnitude +0.1 to -1.0 in the first 10 days of the month until it disappears from the morning sky. Saturn will be observable before sunset just above the western horizon at the start of September, but will gradually sink lower to the horizon. It will be located among the background stars of Virgo and will appear as a yellowish brown star shining at magnitude +0.9. Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune will be located in the late evening sky throughout the month. “The planets will lie among the background stars of the constellation Aries, the Ram, Pisces, the fish and the constellation Aquarius, the Water Bearer, respectively. Uranus and Neptune will appear as blue spots in the sky as viewed from a telescope," PAGASA said. On the other hand, Venus will be lost from view in the sky during the month as it is close to the Sun. — LBG, GMA News