Fall Astronomy Week Sep 18, 2023

Fall Astronomy Week

The Milky Way has billions of stars; among them, our own sun finds its place. The galaxy"s name is derived from the radiant, pale appearance of the band of stars and gas clouds that graces Earth"s sky. Methodical observations of the night sky started with early civilizations but astronomy, the oldest natural science, remains a source of fascination today. It"s what brings stargazers to Portugal"s Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, a site free from heavy light pollution. Now"s a good time to seek out your own celestial spectacle, as it is Astronomy Week and the main event, Saturday"s Fall Astronomy Day, this year coincides with the autumnal equinox.

© Daniel Garrido/Getty Images

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Today in History

Sep 18, 2018A red knot on the Shetland Islands, Scotland
Sep 18, 2019Celebrating Chile’s Independence Day
Sep 18, 2020Homeward bound
Sep 18, 2021Hanging out on a limb
Sep 18, 2022World Bamboo Day
Sep 18, 2024Gujō Hachiman Castle, Gifu prefecture, Japan
Sep 18, 2025Dunquin Pier, County Kerry, Ireland

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Sep 10, 2019Welcome to my neck of the woods
Sep 2, 2025Camel thorn trees, Namib-Naukluft Park, Namibia
Dec 10, 2024Lands End, Cornwall, England
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Oct 3, 2021Birthplace of Roman emperors
Feb 21, 2022Presidents Day
Feb 8, 2018The Cordillera de la Sal in the Cordillera Domeyko Range of Chile
Aug 14, 2024World Lizard Day
Sep 1, 2024Totally Thames Festival, London
Mar 26, 2025Manatee Appreciation Day
Dec 18, 2021Full moon
Apr 20, 2020In the Garden of Europe
Jan 1, 2020Napping away New Year s Day
Aug 11, 2025Village of Santa Maddalena, Dolomites, Italy
Jun 13, 2019A unique elephant encounter in Nantes
Apr 11, 2024Churún Merú waterfall in Venezuela
Aug 1, 2018Don’t look down
Jan 2, 2024Prayer flags in Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan
Jan 9, 2023Wind Cave National Park celebrates 120 years
Aug 23, 2020Reflections of the night sky
Nov 15, 2025Irohazaka Road in fall, Nikko, Tochigi, Japan
Mar 30, 2023Bright and colorful peacock feathers