Stunning astronomical events to illuminate Kuwait’s skies in September

• On September 8, Saturn will be at its closest to Earth, fully illuminated and visible all night in Kuwait, appearing brighter than ever, the Al-Ajari Scientific Center said.

The Al-Ajari Scientific Center announced on Wednesday that September will feature several astronomical events that will illuminate Kuwait’s skies, beginning at dawn tomorrow, Thursday, Al Jarida newspaper reported.

The center added in a press statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the first of these phenomena is Mercury reaching its maximum western elongation from the sun. It will be at its highest point above the horizon in the eastern sky at dawn, just before sunrise, and will disappear as the sun rises.

The center also explained that tomorrow, the moon will appear in conjunction with Venus, the brightest planet in the solar system. This conjunction can be seen with the naked eye immediately after sunset toward the west, with the moon and Venus remaining adjacent in the sky until they set in the early hours of the night.

The center noted that the moon will appear the following day in conjunction with the star Spica, and can be seen with the naked eye immediately after sunset until the early hours of the night.

The center also highlighted that on September 8, the Kuwaiti sky will witness a rare astronomical phenomenon as Saturn will be in opposition to the sun, meaning it will be at its closest point to Earth, with its face fully illuminated by the sun. This will make Saturn visible throughout the night, appearing brighter and more luminous than at any other time of the year.

Additionally, the center explained that on September 10, the moon will be in conjunction with the giant star Antares. This conjunction will be visible with the naked eye immediately after sunset, and the scene will continue until the star sets.