Fall officially begins in the Northern Hemisphere tonight. The September equinox arrives at about 8:05 p.m. EDT (5:05 p.m. PDT) on Tuesday, Sept. 22, which is just after midnight UTC on Sept. 23. It opens a week that also brings early Southern Taurid meteors and, on Saturday, Sept. 26, a Harvest Moon rising near Saturn.

None of this requires special equipment. A clear sky, a view to the east or west, and a little patience will cover most of it, and a pair of binoculars adds one bonus planet.

This week also marks the turn toward longer nights. After the equinox, nights in the Northern Hemisphere keep growing longer until the winter solstice on Dec. 21, which gives backyard observers more hours under dark skies.

The Equinox, Explained Without the Myths

At the equinox, the sun is directly above Earth's equator, and day and night are close to equal in length around the world, according to NASA's skywatching guide for the month of September 2026. From here, daylight keeps getting shorter in the Northern Hemisphere and longer in the Southern Hemisphere.

"Close to equal" is the key phrase. On the equinox itself, most places still get a few extra minutes of daylight. The atmosphere bends sunlight so the sun appears above the horizon slightly before it rises and after it sets, and sunrise and sunset are timed from the top edge of the sun rather than its center.

The weeks around the equinoxes also tend to bring more frequent auroras. Live Science's September stargazing guide notes that Earth's orientation at this time of year favors interactions between its magnetic field and the solar wind. There are no guarantees, though. Anyone hoping to see northern lights should check the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center for official geomagnetic storm watches rather than social media predictions.

Southern Taurids: A Slow Start with Fireball Potential

The Southern Taurid meteor shower began on Sunday, Sept. 20, and runs through Nov. 20. It peaks overnight on Oct. 13-14 and again on Nov. 4-5, according to the American Meteor Society as cited by Live Science's guide to the Southern Taurids.

Expectations this week should be modest. Even at its peaks, the shower produces only about five to 10 meteors per hour, and early-season rates are lower. The appeal is quality rather than quantity. The Taurids have a reputation for fireballs, very bright meteors that can leave glowing trails. They enter the atmosphere at about 17 miles (27 kilometers) per second, slow enough to stay visible longer than most meteors.

These meteors come from debris left by Comet 2P/Encke. They appear to radiate from the constellation Taurus, which climbs higher as the night goes on, so later hours are generally better. You do not need to stare at Taurus, because meteors can appear anywhere in the sky. Binoculars and telescopes will not help, and a wide, open view of the sky works best. NASA's meteor shower resources offer more viewing tips.

The moon is the main obstacle this week. It is growing toward full, and by Sept. 26 it will light the sky much of the night and wash out fainter meteors. Dedicated meteor watchers should plan for the October peak, which falls on a moonless night. The principal fireball peak around Nov. 4-5 will face only a thin waning crescent moon rising in the early morning.

The Harvest Moon, Saturn and a Hidden Neptune

The highlight arrives Saturday. On Sept. 26, the Harvest Moon rises in the east shortly after sunset, with Saturn nearby, NASA says. The Harvest Moon is the traditional name for the full moon closest to the September equinox.

Finding Saturn is easy. Look east after moonrise for a steady, pale-gold point of light near the moon. Unlike stars, it does not twinkle much. Faint Neptune completes a wide triangle with the moon and Saturn, but at about magnitude 8 it is too dim to see with the unaided eye. Binoculars or a telescope and a darker sky will help. Neptune is near opposition this week, when it lies opposite the Sun in the sky and is at its best for the year.

Venus reached peak brilliance for its current evening appearance on Sept. 18 and still shines brightly low in the west shortly after sunset. Early risers can also find planets in the eastern sky before dawn.

A few practical tips help. Check your local forecast for cloud cover, and give your eyes about 20 minutes to adjust to the dark. A red flashlight preserves night vision. For moonrise photos, catch the moon low on the horizon next to a building, tree line or landmark. NASA's Daily Moon Guide shows the moon's phase for each night.

The bottom line: tonight's equinox marks the turn toward longer nights, the Harvest Moon and Saturn put on the easiest show on Saturday, and the Taurids reward patience in the weeks ahead. The best Taurid viewing is still to come in mid-October and early November.

What Readers Want to Know

When is the fall equinox?

It arrives Tuesday, Sept. 22, at about 8:05 p.m. EDT, which is 7:05 p.m. CDT, 6:05 p.m. MDT and 5:05 p.m. PDT.

Are day and night exactly equal on the equinox?

Not quite. Atmospheric bending of light and how sunrise is measured give most places a few extra minutes of daylight.

When do the Southern Taurids peak?

They peak overnight on Oct. 13-14 and Nov. 4-5. The shower is active from Sept. 20 through Nov. 20.

How many meteors will I see?

Expect about five to 10 per hour at the peaks and fewer this week. The Taurids are known for occasional bright fireballs.

When is the Harvest Moon?

It rises in the east shortly after sunset on Saturday, Sept. 26, with Saturn nearby.

Can I see Neptune?

Not with the unaided eye. At about magnitude 8, Neptune needs binoculars or a telescope and a dark sky.

Will there be northern lights?

Auroras tend to be more common around the equinoxes but are never guaranteed. Check the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center for official forecasts.