09/24/2026
45th Moon River, StarWatch, September 26th, 2026
Greetings Astronomy Fans!
The 45th in a series of Moon River StarWatches will be held on Saturday, September 26th, 2026, from 8:00 to 10:00 PM. This family-friendly event is held on the fourth Saturday of each month.
The weather forecast calls for cool weather, few clouds, and a low chance of rain – which means many potential clear spots for viewing. Be prepared to spend more time looking through the telescope while having conversations about the wonders of the Universe above our heads.
We will have telescopes on hand as the local weather appears to be cooperating with this moonth’s Moon River StarWatch.
This moonth’s Moon River StarWatch event will include the Earth’s Planetary-sized Moon – “Luna”. Luna, as a 99.8% (just past full Moon) waning gibbous phase rising in Wheeling’s eastern sky. Bring your cell phones to take stunning Full Moon - Lunar photos (near 9 PM) using the telescope as a super-long lens!
The moonlight illumination of Luna will add to the local Light Pollution we will have to deal with from Human-made glares and glows from both sides of the Ohio River. This will make viewing faint deep space objects rather difficult – however there are numerous bright early fall-time sky objects that we will be visiting between rare clouds and light fixture glares in the telescope.
Using telescopes on-site, amateur astronomers will telescopically reveal to those in attendance a wide range of sky wonders both within our Sol-ar System and beyond.
Here is what we plan to seek through the telescopes you can also look through:
The Earth’s planetary-sized Moon, Lunar craters, mountain ranges, and other features. We will look for and discuss the “Moon Illusion” as Luna rises above the Wheeling cityscape.
Planets: Venus and Mercury will be too low to see by 8:00 PM in the fading Sunset glow. If you are a keen observer – look for these just after sunset at 7:13 PM.
Saturn, her stunning rings, and planetary-sized moon Titan will rise 35 minutes after Luna.
The Great Globular Cluster in the Constellation Hercules (M13).
Ring Nebula in the Constellation Lyre (M57).
Several Double Stars, Bright Stars of various colors, and the brighter Constellations.
If the sky is “Transparent” (no haze) we will look for other bright Deep Space Objects.
Reminder, we will have telescopes for you to use ... if you have a telescope bring it along - more scopes, means more fun.
Meet at the Wheeling Walking Trail at Wheeling’s Waterfront next to the Walter Reuther statue, just south of the “Wooden Swing”, and west of the Splash Pad area - near the Wheeling Arena. Find us at Latitude 40° 03’ 55.5” North and Longitude 80° 43’ 30.2” West.
In case of clouds or light misting rain, amateur astronomers will still be on hand to discuss and answer your astronomically related questions. We will cancel for thunderstorms, steady or heavy rains, snow, ice, or sleet.
Clear and Safe Skies,
Robert
Robert E. Strong
Director: SMART-Center
1410 Main Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
http://www.smartcenter.org/
Director: Near Earth Object Foundation
1410 Main Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
http://www.neofoundation.org/
Curator: SMART Centre Market
1410 Main Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
http://www.smartcentremarket.com
Co-Host: Radio Science News
http://radiosciencenews.org/
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