Stargazing Challenges - September 2025
- 25th Aug 2025
- Author: Dhara Patel
Each month, we'll be sharing a trio of stargazing challenges for you to try your hand at.
This September, look out for a total lunar eclipse with the Moon appearing a blood red colour, see if you're able to find the easily recognisable star pattern called the Teapot asterism in the constellation of Sagittarius, and try to spot the Milky Way Galaxy stretching across the summer night sky.
Challenge 1 - Lunar Eclipse
On 7 September, can you catch the Moon in a total lunar eclipse?
Look towards the east on the evening of 7 September to try and catch a glimpse of the Moon in a total lunar eclipse. You’ll need nothing more than your eyes, a cloudless sky (fingers crossed) and a clear view without tall buildings and trees. A relatively short checklist to spot a breath-taking and special view of our Moon!
While the whole event will begin with the Moon below the horizon, it will start to rise in the east shortly after 19:30. So, from Leicester, the best time to see the maximum eclipse is around 19:45 but you’ll need a really clear view of the horizon to spot it, as it will be very low down in the sky.
During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth passes directly between the Moon and the Sun casting a shadow on our lunar neighbour. We’d typically expect the Moon to appear dark at this time, but because the Earth’s atmosphere scatters sunlight causing it to be redirected, the red light from the Sun is ‘bent’ around the Earth and onto the Moon, making it appear a red colour. So, lunar eclipses are also often named blood moons. Find out more in our What is a Lunar Eclipse? blog.
Even if you miss the maximum, you can watch the Moon during its partial lunar eclipse phase until 21:00, as it rises higher in the sky and remerges out of the Earth’s shadow. To begin with, the Moon will look dull. And then the dark curved silhouette region on the Moon will gradually reduce until it returns to its usual bright full moon view. The next total lunar eclipse won’t be until New Year's Eve in 2028 so it’s definitely worth trying to spot this one if you have the chance.
Challenge 2: The Teapot asterism
On 20 September, are you able to spot the Teapot asterism?
Though it’s visible throughout the month, try looking for a familiar star pattern in the constellation of Sagittarius known as the Teapot asterism. Look to the south, around 20:00 on 20 September. Earlier in the month, you’ll have to wait a little later for the skies to darken and towards the end of the month a little earlier before it dips below the horizon.
Usually depicted as a centaur (half-man, half-horse creature) drawing a bow, Sagittarius is only visible for a couple of months from the UK, during the summer. And the Teapot asterism is formed from eight bright stars, visible to the naked eye, from within this constellation - which are rather helpfully arranged to resemble a teapot - complete with a handle, spout and lid.
It may be challenging to spot this star pattern in heavily light polluted cities but it’s not impossible. Because the eight stars are relatively bright (especially those that form the lid), they can be seen from moderately light-polluted areas. And with the Moon almost in its new moon phase on 20 September, there won’t be bright moonlight affecting your visibility. As the Sun will still be setting, the skies won’t be very dark yet but hopefully that will help the eight bright stars appear more prominent than other fainter points in the sky. Head out a little earlier to ensure you’re all set up – can you spot all eight stars before they set below the horizon?
And if you’re a keen stargazer with a good telescope ready for some action, there are a number of nebulae and star clusters hidden within the Teapot asterism like the Lagoon Nebula and the globular cluster NGC 6440.
Challenge 3 - The Milky Way
Are you able to find the Milky Way Galaxy arching across the sky on 27 September?
The final challenge of the month really is a test! The summer months are the best time to try and spot the Milky Way Galaxy from the northern hemisphere. At this time of year we get views of the centre of the galaxy which appears more prominent as it’s densely packed with stars and gas compared to the outer edges of the disk of the Milky Way.
Look towards the southwest around 20:00 on 27 September (or around the end of the month as the skies start to darken earlier), to try and spot the Teapot asterism from Challenge 2. Though the Milky Way won’t be visible at this time, using this asterism to help you determine the direction of viewing, may make it easier to locate once the skies darken. The Milky Way's glow can be seen near the spout of the Teapot and is sometimes described as mimicking steam rising from the Teapot.
Unlike the Teapot asterism, you’ll need to have clear and dark skies to have a hope of spotting the Milky Way. Artificial light from cities and built-up areas scatters in the atmosphere, creating a glow that washes out the fainter light of our galaxy. Heading out into the countryside is ideal and waiting a couple of hours after sunset for darker skies will improve your viewing. The Moon will also set in the early evening during the end of the month, making conditions more favourable.
Those that have seen the band of our galaxy describe it as a humbling and inspiring experience – a reminder of the grandness and vastness of space and our tiny place within it. Best of luck with it!
How did you get on? Were you able to spot our stargazing highlights this month?
If you enjoyed putting your stargazing skills to the test, then keep a look out for the astronomy challenges we'll be sharing each month. And don't forget to share your photos with us using #NSCstargazers
And find out what else you can see this month with our 'What's in the Night Sky' video.
Full references / credits:
(Banner) Skyscape. Credit: © National Space Centre
(1) Total Lunar Eclipse on 7 September. Credit: © National Space Centre
(2) Teapot asterism on 20 September. Credit: © National Space Centre
(3) The Milky Way Galaxy on 27 September. Credit: © National Space Centre
