For many, stargazing includes finding the planets in the evening sky, or watching the phases of the moon.

This month, stargazers and planet-watchers can see Venus, Saturn, Mars and Jupiter.

Venus will be the brightest Sept. 26, but it can be seen only early in the month now, hanging low in the west-southwestern sky for a short while after sunset.

It will be visible in the evening, as the brightest object in the evening sky other than the Moon.

By mid-month it will have dipped too far into the glow of the setting sun to be seen.

In the middle of the month, Saturn will be visible before midnight, making it the only planet you will be able to see without a telescope.

It can be found in the northern part of Orion, in the region usually depicted as the Hunter's club.

Jupiter will be in the morning sky, and can be found low in the east just before dawn during this month.

Jupiter is located in the faint constellation Cancer, where it is about midway between the bright stars Pollux (in the constellation Gemini) and Regulus (in the constellation Leo).

Mars will be able to be seen in the morning sky throughout Sept., following Jupiter but at some distance away in Leo.

For those using the unaided eye, however, it will be difficult to sight, as it is very low in the East just before sunrise.

Because of the lack of a bright moon, the next two weeks are also a good time to look for"Zodiacal Light."

This is a faint glow rising from the horizon in advance of the Sun.

The glow is thought to be due to sunlight reflected off dust particles.

For those interested in these and other phenomenon and watching the night sky, there are several telescopes located on the roof of Davey Lab.

They are open for public stargazing on Fridays from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. during the fall and spring semesters.

For more information, call 863-1234 ext. 7 or visit the Web site for the lab at www.astro.psu.edu/openhouseinfo.html.