The night time sky in November will provide some placing sights, with a number of planets seen all through the month. Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn will make outstanding appearances with every providing distinctive traits and timing for these seeking to observe them. Here is what to look out for and when, as these celestial our bodies deliver their distinctive glow to the night sky.
Venus: Brilliant Beacon within the Western Sky
Venus is the standout within the western sky this month, changing into extra seen every night. By late November, this planet shines for almost three hours after sundown, making it laborious to overlook as one of many brightest factors within the sky. Venus’s place shifts eastward, passing close to the Teapot constellation in Sagittarius on November 16. In case you’re out on November 4, look ahead to a skinny crescent moon slightly below Venus shortly after sundown—a formidable pairing for the informal stargazer.
Mars: Fiery Presence Rising Brighter
Mars seems within the jap sky throughout late night hours, its orange-red glow changing into more and more outstanding as Earth strikes nearer to it. By mid-November, Mars almost doubles in brightness, standing out in opposition to close by stars Castor and Pollux. On November 20, round 10 p.m., the waning gibbous moon shall be positioned to the left of Mars, creating a good looking distinction. This makes it a great time to identify the planet when you’re out for a late-night skywatch.
Jupiter: Shining Sturdy within the East
Jupiter rises within the east a few hours after sundown in early November, reaching greater factors within the sky because the month goes on. This big planet, accompanied by its vivid moons, is well seen by means of small telescopes. Jupiter’s magnitude brightens because it approaches opposition with the Solar in early December, peaking on the finish of November when it sits close to the orange star Aldebaran and the Hyades star cluster.
Saturn: Rings within the Southern Sky
Saturn, nestled among the many stars of Aquarius, takes its place excessive within the southern sky after dusk. On November 10, telescope customers might spot Saturn’s rings tilted at their widest angle for the yr. Saturn is slowly ending its retrograde part on November 16, starting its gradual descent from the night time sky within the months forward. The planet’s regular, pale-yellow glow makes it a placing addition to November’s celestial show.
For skywatchers, November brings a wonderful alternative to get pleasure from these planetary sights, whether or not with a telescope or the bare eye.
