Mercury can be seen very low in the western sky for a short time after sunset in the constellation Virgo (the Maiden). Mercury can be seen for an hour or less just below the very bright Venus. Mercury disappears in the sun’s glare the last week of September. Mercury looks like a small white star.

Venus can be seen very low in the western sky for a short time after sunset in the constellation Virgo (the Maiden), below and to the right of the bright star Spica. Venus is just returning as the “Evening Star”. Venus is very easy to find and is the brightest object in the night sky (after the moon). Venus looks like a very bright white star.

Mars can be seen very low in the western sky for a short time in the constellation of Virgo (the Maiden). Mars is dim and hard to see without binoculars. Mars and Venus reach conjunction on September 11th. Mars disappears in the sun’s glare the last week of September. Mars looks like a ruddy-colored star.

Jupiter can be seen medium-low in the southern sky after sunset above the handle of the Teapot in the constellation Sagittarius (the Archer). Jupiter is very bright and easy to find in the southern sky. Jupiter sets well before dawn in the southwest. Jupiter looks like a bright, yellow-colored star.

Saturn cannot be seen as it passes behind the sun as seen from Earth on September 3rd. Saturn will reappear in the early morning sky by the end of the month. Saturn looks like a bright amber-colored star