The moon in September 2012

On 22 September, the moon is half-lit and is particularly low in the sky: it is the southernmost of the decreasing half-moon of the year. New Moon is on the 16th September. The observation of the first crescent of the new moon and last time in the bright twilight is sometimes a challenge, especially in this month: Both events are theoretically to see only part of the German-speaking world and then only with the aid of optical means.

Planets in September 2012

While Saturn’s visibility in the evening sky ended, escapes Mars just barely the bright sunlight and remain inconspicuous in the dusk. Jupiter Sunrise's premature to late evening hours. Until the rising of Venus at 3 clock the gas giant Jupiter is the brightest star-like object in the sky. Venus reached in September, the highest level in the dawn of the morning current visibility and dominates the morning sky as a very bright “morning star ".

Comet in September 2012

From Central Europe this month no eye-catching comet can be seen. Telescopically but nearly every night some objects outside a brightness of 10 to find size. For 2013 we can hope for the comet C/2011 L4 (Pan-STARRS). He has to be the makings of a comet of the decade. He is expected to see the January to May 2013 by the naked eye. In September is its brightness but only 12th Size - unfortunately he is also only observed again in 2013 from Central Europe.

The evening starry sky

The night sky

If we see in the sky and the stars are like our star map, we know that it is the hour of Capricorn - the group Capricorn is then in the south. But at the same time it gives a feel of autumn, because, although the summer group still almost in zenith are, but also gain the typical autumn group in the east should climb.

The entire night sky over central Europe. The stars are shown for the selected time. The cross at center symbolizes the zenith, the point directly above your head.

NASA postpones launch of 24 hours two spacecraft

A collapse in communication systems forced postponement for 24 hours, the launch of two spacecraft to study the Sun's influence on Earth's radiation belts and the surround. The U.S. space agency NASA had planned the departure of Atlas V Centaur booster rocket at 08.07 GMT from Station Cape Canaveral Air Force, on the central coast of Florida Atlantic.

Superbright Secrets: Germ magnetar

Astronomers continue to fight over the mystery superbright supernova. Supernovae can suddenly shine brighter entire galaxy - in fact in this outbreak are killed biggest stars. There are two types of supernovae. First appear, when one of the stars of the binary system begins to pull stuff from a neighbor, and eventually gaining critical mass.

Study reveals the'' normal'' that was born with the Sun

Opposing to what was previously thought, the birth of the Sun did not occur in exceptional condition, and many other stars were formed at the same time, according to a study published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.

Matthieu Gounelle, the French research center CNRS, and Georges Meynet, Geneva Observatory, were able to establish the "genealogy" of the Sun from the presence of a radioactive element,