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Waning crescent Moon in close conjunction with Saturn in the pre-dawn sky with Milky Way overhead

Tonight’s Sky – A waning Moon rises after dusk – September 30th

Tonight, a bright waning Moon rises in the northeast after sunset, giving you an easy, no-equipment target as the sky darkens.

What to see

  • Moonrise: Look northeast around 8:50 p.m. Eastern. This bright, easy-to-find Moon needs no equipment, so it is a lovely place to begin if you are new to skywatching. See timeanddate’s Allentown Moon calendar for the local details.
  • Evening window: Sunset arrives at about 6:45 p.m. Eastern. The final astronomical twilight fades by 8:16 p.m., a simple cue to get settled and give the night sky time to darken. Check timeanddate’s sunset table.

Bonus

  • Southern Taurids: The shower is active from September 10 through November 20, but its peak is October 10. Tonight is early in the season, so keep a patient eye out rather than expecting a flurry. Check the Royal Observatory’s 2026 meteor calendar.

Moon note: Waning gibbous, about 83% illuminated, rising around 8:50 p.m. Eastern.

Bring a warm drink, take a few quiet minutes, and let the Moon set the mood. For more simple backyard sky guides, sign up for the NOOMMED newsletter.

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