Written by Sarah Dugan, Naturalist, Kroening Nature Center
September is a perfect time for observing the night sky. Temperatures are still pleasant, skies are often clear, or mostly clear, and daylight is decreasing rapidly. With astronomical twilight (when stars start to become visible) starting between 8 and 9 p.m. we don’t have to stay up as late to see a starry sky.
Even within the Twin Cities there are several stars visible on a clear night. This time of year, the summer triangle (a lopsided triangle of three bright stars) is almost directly overhead at about 9 p.m. Each star in the triangle belongs to its own constellation, but in the city, where light pollution washes out dimmer stars, these three really stand out. Another group of stars that can be a fun starting point is the constellation Cassiopeia. Facing north, look for a group of five stars that form a W, or an M if you live in Minnesota. This is the constellation Cassiopeia, one of the circumpolar constellations, a group of constellations and stars that are always in our sky.
Another way to observe the night sky in the city is to pay attention to the changing moon. This year September will start with a new moon on the 2nd. This means that in the first week or so, look to the western sky shortly after sunset to see a waxing crescent moon. As the moon appears to grow each night it also rises later, becoming more visible at night until it becomes full, when it is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun. The full moon on September 18 is going to be a “supermoon.” That means the moon is nearly as close as it gets to the earth, about 220,000 miles away, making it appear slightly larger than a typical full moon. By the end of the month, the waning crescent moon will be visible only in the early morning, before sunrise.
Other programs at Kroening this month:
Nature Tots: Spreading Seeds · Saturday, September 7, 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Free | Ages 2-6 | Activity #6456. How do plants spread to new places? Explore the different methods seeds use to move around and go for a hike to find examples. Then plant a seed to take home and observe as it grows. This is a child/adult interactive program.
Homeschool Program: Prairie Insects · Thursday, September 12, 12:30-2:30 p.m. | Free for residents | Ages 5-12 | Activity #5025. Explore the diversity of grasses, flowers and insects in our native prairie plantings. Search for and capture insects, then use careful observation to distinguish between different types of insects.
Family Funday: Insects Above and Below · Saturday, September 14, 10:30 a.m.-noon | Free | All ages | Activity #9936. What are insects doing in the prairie? In the forest? Underground? Come explore the park and search for insects, observe them closely and learn about what makes them all unique. Make an insect craft to take home.
Black to Nature: How do you Like Them Apples at JD Rivers Childrens’ Garden · Saturday, September 14, 1-3pm | Free | All ages | Activity #4984. Join us at JD Rivers Garden for storytelling, crafts, apple pressing and cider-making. Learn about the garden’s history, its community connections and ways you might get involved. Garden tours will be led by MPRB naturalists. Local artists will share stories and art making activities as part of the Black to Nature program series.
Nature Art: Pebble Art · Saturday, September 21, 1:30-2 p.m. | Free | All ages | Activity #9818. Go on a walk to collect rocks, pebbles, and sand from around the park. Turn your finds into a mosaic or sculpture to take home. All materials provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Bird Watching: Feathered Fridays · Friday, September 27, 9-10:30 a.m. | $5/person | Ages 18+ | Activity #10138. Learn distinguishing characteristics of birds in the park including plumage, bird songs and calls, and behaviors, while strolling through the park with a naturalist. All experience levels welcome, binoculars available.
Nature in Focus: Mussels · Saturday, September 28, 1-2:30 p.m. | Free | Ages 5+ | Activity #10102.
Seventeen different mussel species can be found in the river at North Mississippi Regional Park. Explore the river habitat to look for mussels, then learn how to identify the species found in the park. Geared towards adults and interested learners of all ages.