The fall season is home to some astronomical events worth observing. It is a time when the length of the day gradually decreases until the winter solstice, when we find ourselves with the shortest day of the year. We also have the change of time.
In this article we are going to tell you What constellations can be seen in autumn in the northern hemisphere?.
The sky in autumn 2024
As autumn begins, the sky after sunset will show Venus and Saturn as the only planets visible after sunset. During the month of November, Mercury will become observable on the western horizon for several weeks, and in late November, Jupiter will emerge in the eastern sky.
Instead, sunrises will provide the opportunity to observe Mars and Jupiter throughout the season. As autumn draws to a close, Mercury will begin to become visible.
As for the stars and constellations that become visible at dusk in the fall season, the summer triangle will be prominent. This triangle is formed by Deneb in Cygnus, Vega in Lyra and Altair in Aquila., which will remain visible during the first part of the season, although at a gradually decreasing height above the western horizon. As the months progress, the constellations Pegasus, Andromeda and Perseus will be visible rising in the eastern sky. At the end of the season, Taurus and Orion will emerge, reaching their maximum brightness during winter nights.
An annular solar eclipse will occur on October 2, 2024, with visibility extending across the Pacific region and parts of South America.
Constellations that can be seen in autumn 2024
Several significant astronomical events will occur in the fall of 2024, including the Draconid meteor shower, which is projected to peak around October 8. Following this, the Orionids are expected to peak around October 21, while the Leonids are projected to peak around November 17, and the Geminids are projected to peak on December 14. Additionally, the season's full moons will be observed on October 17, November 15, and December 15.
Stars and constellations constantly maintain their positions in the sky for long periods of time. However, Our planet is in constant motion as it orbits the Sun.. As a result, the visibility of certain constellations varies throughout the year. In addition, our location on Earth, whether in the northern or southern hemisphere, influences the celestial formations that can be observed at any given time.
Let's take a look at several constellations that are most visible in the Northern Hemisphere from late September to late December. A significant number of these constellations are associated with the Greek myth of Perseus.
To effectively stargaze, it is advisable to find a location that is remote and free from the light pollution typically found in urban areas. Using binoculars along with a star map or mobile app can significantly aid in star identification, particularly the constellation Cassiopeia.
The constellation Cassiopeia
Easily identifiable by its distinctive W shape, the constellation Cassiopeia is classified as circumpolar, allowing it to be visible in the night sky year-round, even during the fall season.
The narrative of Greek mythology tells the story of Cassiopeia, a queen characterized by her vanity and pride in her beauty. She claimed that her appearance surpassed that of the Nereids, the lovely sea nymphs, which incited the wrath of Poseidon, the ruler of the seas. In retaliation, he sent the sea monster Ceto, known as the Whale, to wreak havoc on her kingdom. In an attempt to appease Poseidon's fury, Cassiopeia and her husband, Cepheus, made the grave decision to offer their daughter, Andromeda, as a sacrifice, tying her to a rock.
The hero Perseus, who had recently killed Medusa, A creature capable of turning people into stone just by looking at them, he traveled the region and later fell in love with Andromeda. In an effort to save her, he defeated Ceto by presenting him with Medusa's severed head. After this victory, they were married.
Poseidon, wishing to ensure that Cassiopeia faced retribution, bound her to a torture chair for all eternity. The configuration of Cassiopeia, strapped to the chair, clearly reflects the shape symbolized by the W of her constellation.
Andromeda
Located south of the constellation Cassiopeia is Andromeda, recognized as one of the largest constellations in existence. The main star of Andromeda is Sirah, also known as Alpheratz or Sirrah. This star is also shared with the constellation Pegasus. In addition, the famous Andromeda galaxy (M31), the closest spiral galaxy to our Milky Way and observable with the naked eye in dark skies, It is included within this constellation.
According to Greek mythology, it was the goddess of wisdom, Athena, who, after Andromeda's death, placed her in the heavens alongside her husband Perseus and her mother Cassiopeia.
Pegaso
Pegasus, the famous winged horse, is among the most distinct and easily identifiable of the constellations. Forming a prominent square formation, its brightest stars include Enif, an orange supergiant, and Sirah, which represents the horse's navel.
In the realm of Greek mythology, Pegasus emerged from the blood spilled when Perseus cut off Medusa's head. He later became the mount of the hero Bellerophon, accompanying him on several exploits, including the killing of the Chimera and the triumph over the Amazons.
Bellerophon, driven by great ambition and daring, ascended to Olympus on Pegasus in his quest for godhood. However, Zeus, the king of the gods, sent a tiny mosquito to bite the horse, causing Bellerophon to fall to earth, leaving him permanently disabled. Zeus subsequently took him to his stables and later honoured him by immortalising his image in the constellation between Andromeda and Pisces.
perseus
Located below Cassiopeia and very close to Andromeda, the constellation Perseus is notable for hosting the variable star Algol, often called the Devil's Star. Also in this constellation is the Double Cluster, which consists of two open clusters, large groups of stars that can be observed with the naked eye, as well as through binoculars or a telescope.
In the field of Greek mythology, Perseus is recognized as a hero and a demigod, being a descendant of Danae and Zeus. Among his many achievements, he defeated the formidable Medusa and freed his future wife, Andromeda.
Aquarius and Capricorn
As autumn progresses and November arrives, the constellations of Aquarius and Capricorn become increasingly discernible in the northern hemisphere.
Both are made up of stars that do not exceed the second magnitude, which can make them somewhat difficult to locate without the help of professional equipment.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about which constellations can be seen in autumn in the northern hemisphere.