Starting November off, we will be able to see a show put on by Venus, Saturn, and the Moon, as well as Antares. All four objects will be found towards the west-southwest after sunset. The Moon will be the brightest, followed by Venus, Saturn, and Antares.
Mars is also still visible during November. It will be found high in the southern sky after the Sun sinks below the horizon. It will appear to make its way towards the west as the night progresses. Mars still won't be as impressive as it was earlier this year through a telescope or binoculars. I still think it is an enjoyable target with its red glow in the night sky.
There is another meteor shower visible this month. This shower is called the Leonid's and will appear to originate from the constellation of Leo the Lion. Leo is found to the right of the Great Bear (aka Ursa Major; The Big Dipper). This shower peaks on November 17 before dawn (look east). The best time to start watching is around 3 or so in the morning. However, the Moon will add quite a bit of light pollution on this night. So be sure to check it out before and after the peak date to hopefully catch some shooting stars.
Late in the month, Mercury will again be visible. Towards the end of October, Mercury moved behind the Sun from our point of view, and will return to our view on November 30. You will be able to see it in the west after the Sun sets.
Uranus and Neptune will best be viewed after midnight this month. Uranus will be found in the southwest while Neptune will be west. As mentioned in earlier posts, you will need a pair of binoculars or a telescope to see these outer planets.
Jupiter will continue to be found in the morning sky before sunrise. It will be the brightest "star" found in the east. With a pair of binoculars, you can easily see the 4 Galilean moons, as long as they are not behind or in front of the gas giant. The moons will appear as "stars" next to the large, bright disk of Jupiter. If you have a large enough telescope and want to brave the brisk mornings, you might be able to see the shadow of one of the moons passing in front of Jupiter. The best mornings to view this would be on the 5th, 8th, 14th, 21st, 22nd, and the 24th.
The full moon this month is also special. It will be a Super Moon! This means that it lies closer to Earth in its orbit than normal. Since the moon is closer, it will appear larger in the sky, but not that much larger. This will be its closest approach to the Earth since the late 1940's. So be sure to check it out! The moon always appears larger while it is rising or setting. This is because your mind is playing a trick on you! When the moon is close to the horizon, the objects in the foreground (trees, houses, buildings, etc.) look tiny. If you don't believe me, hold your thumb out at arms length while the moon is high in the sky and again when it is low on the horizon. Your thumb is just big enough to block out the moon!
Here is the break down for the month of November:
November 2: Saturn, Venus, and the Moon have an after sunset rendezvous.
November 14: Full Moon as well as a Super Moon
November 17: The Leonid's Meteor Shower peak.
November 29: New Moon.
November 30: Mercury returns to view after sunset
As always, there are all kinds of fascinating objects to see in the night sky, from the stars and planets to aircraft and satellites, including the ISS. You may also catch a glimpse of a shooting star. You never know what you will see unless you get outside to look!
Feel free to leave comments about this post or what you see throughout the month. You can also ask questions if you have any!
Mars is also still visible during November. It will be found high in the southern sky after the Sun sinks below the horizon. It will appear to make its way towards the west as the night progresses. Mars still won't be as impressive as it was earlier this year through a telescope or binoculars. I still think it is an enjoyable target with its red glow in the night sky.
There is another meteor shower visible this month. This shower is called the Leonid's and will appear to originate from the constellation of Leo the Lion. Leo is found to the right of the Great Bear (aka Ursa Major; The Big Dipper). This shower peaks on November 17 before dawn (look east). The best time to start watching is around 3 or so in the morning. However, the Moon will add quite a bit of light pollution on this night. So be sure to check it out before and after the peak date to hopefully catch some shooting stars.
Late in the month, Mercury will again be visible. Towards the end of October, Mercury moved behind the Sun from our point of view, and will return to our view on November 30. You will be able to see it in the west after the Sun sets.
Uranus and Neptune will best be viewed after midnight this month. Uranus will be found in the southwest while Neptune will be west. As mentioned in earlier posts, you will need a pair of binoculars or a telescope to see these outer planets.
Jupiter will continue to be found in the morning sky before sunrise. It will be the brightest "star" found in the east. With a pair of binoculars, you can easily see the 4 Galilean moons, as long as they are not behind or in front of the gas giant. The moons will appear as "stars" next to the large, bright disk of Jupiter. If you have a large enough telescope and want to brave the brisk mornings, you might be able to see the shadow of one of the moons passing in front of Jupiter. The best mornings to view this would be on the 5th, 8th, 14th, 21st, 22nd, and the 24th.
The full moon this month is also special. It will be a Super Moon! This means that it lies closer to Earth in its orbit than normal. Since the moon is closer, it will appear larger in the sky, but not that much larger. This will be its closest approach to the Earth since the late 1940's. So be sure to check it out! The moon always appears larger while it is rising or setting. This is because your mind is playing a trick on you! When the moon is close to the horizon, the objects in the foreground (trees, houses, buildings, etc.) look tiny. If you don't believe me, hold your thumb out at arms length while the moon is high in the sky and again when it is low on the horizon. Your thumb is just big enough to block out the moon!
Here is the break down for the month of November:
November 2: Saturn, Venus, and the Moon have an after sunset rendezvous.
November 14: Full Moon as well as a Super Moon
November 17: The Leonid's Meteor Shower peak.
November 29: New Moon.
November 30: Mercury returns to view after sunset
As always, there are all kinds of fascinating objects to see in the night sky, from the stars and planets to aircraft and satellites, including the ISS. You may also catch a glimpse of a shooting star. You never know what you will see unless you get outside to look!
Feel free to leave comments about this post or what you see throughout the month. You can also ask questions if you have any!
