Moon Glides Past Saturn in Pisces Tonight

Key Conjunction Lights Up Night Sky

• Waning gibbous Moon (99.3% illuminated) passes 4° north of Saturn at 4 P.M. EDT.
• Two hours later, the Moon skirts 3° north of Neptune.

Lead: Tonight, September 8, 2025, the waning gibbous Moon will sweep past Saturn and later Neptune in the constellation Pisces, offering skywatchers a striking planetary lineup in the southeastern sky.

Nut Graf: This close lunar-planetary conjunction marks one of the season’s most accessible celestial events, as the bright Moon and ringed planet Saturn are both visible to the naked eye, while Neptune can be spotted with binoculars or a small telescope. The alignment provides an ideal opportunity for amateur astronomers and casual observers to track planetary motion against the lunar backdrop.

Celestial Details

• Moon Phase: Waning gibbous (99.3% illuminated).
• Moon-Saturn Conjunction: Occurs at 4 P.M. EDT, with the Moon 4° north of Saturn in Pisces.
• Moon-Neptune Conjunction: Occurs at 6 P.M. EDT, with the Moon 3° north of Neptune.
• Visibility: Both Moon and Saturn will rise around 8 P.M. local time and climb to 30° above the southeastern horizon by 11 P.M.
• Viewing Tips:
• Locate Saturn (magnitude 0.6) near the terminator line of the Moon.
• Use binoculars to spot Neptune (magnitude 7.7) just south of the Moon’s path.
• Allow 20 minutes for eyes to adapt to darkness; minimal light pollution enhances visibility.

Why It Matters

This conjunction not only showcases the rhythmic dance of lunar and planetary orbits but also coincides with heightened interest in fall skywatching events. Sky enthusiasts can capture stunning images of the Moon’s cratered surface juxtaposed against Saturn’s rings, making tonight’s event a highlight of the 2025 stargazing calendar.