Monthly Night Sky Report: November 2023

         Introduction

    October was unusually warm for Utahns, allowing stargazers to comfortably enjoy the night sky further into the year than normal. I was able to capitalize on these temperatures by taking out my telescope numerous times and watching the Annular Eclipse. I also enjoyed a few hours of the Orionid Meteor Shower at a dark sky location. I am likely finished with my scope for the remainder of the year, but I plan to take the camera out a few more times.  

    November will offer observers the chance to view the Leonid Meteor Shower, which will peak shortly after the New Moon phase. Jupiter and Uranus will reach opposition this month, making it the best time to view these planets while they are opposite the Sun from our Earthbound perspective. Mercury will return to the evening sky, while Mars will remain too close to the Sun to view. 

             

Mercury

    Mercury makes its reappearance in the evening sky during November. The first half of the month might be challenging for observers to view the innermost planet due to its low altitude in the southwest. However, the fortunate observers with a clear view of this region of the sky will be able to see Mercury. As the month progresses, Mercury will climb higher in the sky, reaching nearly 20°  altitude on the 27th. On this date, the innermost planet will set about an hour after the Sun. A one-day-old Moon can be found floating just 5°  from Mercury on the 14th.   

  

Venus

    Venus will remain visible and an easy object to spot in the morning sky. It rises about four hours before the Sun and will shine brightly at -4.4 at the beginning of the month. A thin crescent Moon will join Venus in the sky on the 9th, about a week after crossing from Leo into Virgo. As Venus moves into the constellation Virgo, it will approach the bright star, Spica. On the 27th, the pair will be found just 5° apart and even closer by the end of the month. Much like the Moon, Venus has phases. A pair of binoculars or a larger instrument can reveal these phases to interested observers.

    

Mars

    Mars will continue to be lost from our Earthbound view through November. The red planet will reach conjunction with the Sun on the 18th. Mars will return to our skies in December.

Jupiter

Saturn

     

    The gas giants were a treat to view through a telescope during October. November will also offer stunning views of Jupiter and Saturn. Jupiter reaches opposition on the 3rd, bringing this planet opposite the Sun and close to the Earth, only a mere 3.98 AU (approximately 370 million miles) distant. During this time, Jupiter will appear brighter to the unaided eye and slightly larger through a telescope, allowing more detail to be seen. Jupiter will start the month shining brightly at magnitude -2.76 but will dim slightly to -2.66 as this gas giant moves away from the Earth. A pair of binoculars will reveal the four Galilean Moons, while a telescope will allow observers to view the cloud bands, Great Red Spot, and the shadows of the Galilean Moons as they transit the planet. A nearly Full Moon will join Jupiter on the 25th, passing just 3° away. 

    While Saturn is not currently in opposition, further away from the Earth, and does not shine as brightly as Jupiter, the ringed planet is a favorite for many observers, myself included. Saturn can be seen in the southeast sky shortly after the brightness of the Sun fades after sunset. A few moons can be seen through a telescope, most notably Titan. The most exciting feature of Saturn, the rings, which draw in many observers, will also be visible through a pair of binoculars but are more apparent through a telescope of any size. The Earth's own Moon will pass close by Saturn on the 20th with only 3° separating the pair.   

   

       

Neptune

Uranus

    

    The two ice giants can be viewed through binoculars but will look their best through a telescope. Uranus will soar above the Rocky Mountains about an hour after Jupiter during November. Ten days after Jupiter has reached opposition, Uranus will also reach opposition. This occurs on the 13th, the same day as the New Moon phase, making this night a great time to view this distant planet. A nearly Full Moon will pass through the Pleiades, joining Uranus on the 26th with only 3° of separation. During any night of November, except for the 26th, observers should view the Pleiades in conjunction with Uranus. 

    Observers waiting to view Uranus and the Pleiades due to their low altitude and having already viewed Saturn and Jupiter should jump to Neptune. The most distant planet can be found in between Saturn and Jupiter along the ecliptic. The Moon, in the first quarter phase, will pass less than 2° below Neptune on the 21st, allowing observers to use the Moon as a guide to find this planet. Neptune is currently about 29 times the distance from the Sun as the Earth, causing it to glow dimly at magnitude 7.7. 

Meteor Shower

     November won't have as many events as October, but observers may still glimpse some meteors from the Leonid Meteor Shower. As the name suggests, the meteors will appear to radiate from the constellation of Leo the Lion, found rising above the eastern horizon shortly before midnight. This shower is active during most of November but peaks during the late hours of the 17th and early morning hours of the 18th. The Moon will be in a Waxing Crescent phase, sinking below the western horizon before 10:00 PM. Observers should expect around 10 meteors per hour on the peak date. For those willing to brave the cold, I suggest viewing the gas giants, Saturn and Jupiter, and while waiting for Venus to rise around 4:00 AM, view as many meteors as possible. Be sure to dress warm and bring a hot beverage!

 

Monthly Breakdown

  

November 03: Jupiter reaches opposition
November 05: Last Quarter Moon🌗
November 09: Moon passes within 1° of Venus
November 13: New Moon 🌑
November 13: Uranus reaches opposition
November 14: Moon passes within 1° of Antares
November 16: Mercury and Antares within 3°

November 17/18:  Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks 🌠

November 18: Mars and Sun conjunction  

November 20: First Quarter Moon 🌓

November 20: Moon passes within 3° of Saturn

November 22: Moon passes within 2° of Neptune

November 25: Moon passes within 3° of Jupiter

November 26: Moon passes within 3° of Uranus  

November 27: Full Moon 🌕

November 28: Venus and Spica within 4°

         

Now get outside and look up!

Planet images were taken by NASA.

Andrew vs. the Cosmos image was taken by Jeff Greenland.

The Milky Way and Trees image was taken by Andrew Greenland.

Orion, Taurus, and Pleiades image was taken by Andrew Greenland.