The moon, at last quarter, is among the stars of the Beehive Cluster (M44). Nov. 2, Mars is 1.1 degrees north of the moon, while Jupiter is 0.5 degrees north. This will be an amazing time to see the trio so close together. Both planets are occulted in distant parts of the globe.
Nov. 3, Regulus is 0.8 degrees north. Nov. 7, sees Venus 1.1 degrees away, another occultation, but in the extreme south. New moon is Nov. 9, while the following day sees Antares in close conjunction. Not much to see there, as the moon in new phase is totally black and can’t be seen.
The moon is at apogee Nov. 13, at 405,619 kilometres distance. The next phase after new is first quarter, which happens Nov. 17. Watch for the moon in the daytime sky. By Nov. 24, the full moon is among the stars of the Pleiades. Large tides occur in coastal areas. Perigee of 359,347 km occurs Nov. 25, and we’re back to seeing Luna in the Beehive again Nov. 28.
Nov. 30 is a busy day, with first Jupiter at 1.2 degrees north, then Regulus 1.1 degrees north, and Mars three degrees north of the last-quarter moon.
Mercury is in front of the sun as the month begins, slowly appearing in the eastern dawn sky after the first week. This is a good opportunity to see the speedy planet if you’ve never viewed it before. Venus is nearby, with Mars and Jupiter high in the south. Mercury climbs the ecliptic, getting ever closer to Venus.
Venus, the “Morning Star,” shines brilliantly in the southeast at morning twilight. Nov. 8, Spica, the bright star in Virgo, the Maiden, is to the east, right beside the planet.
Mars rises in the late evening, near midnight, alongside Jupiter. Orion is well up by then, as is the brightest star, Sirius. Nov. 30, a quartet of objects gathers, with Mars, Jupiter, Regulus, and the last-quarter moon in a tight group. Have your camera ready.
Jupiter is well placed all night for viewing. If you have binoculars or a telescope, this is a good time to follow the Galilean moons as they orbit around the giant planet. Their positions change every night, so it’s fun to track their movements, much like Galileo did in 1610. Our moon occults Jupiter twice in November, Nov. 2 and 30.
Saturn has already risen before sunset, so is well placed for viewing all night. The Ringed Planet has been retrograding and gradually slowing before becoming stationary in December.
Uranus is at opposition Nov. 25, making for a good viewing opportunity all night.
Neptune is well placed all night. Get a telescope and have a look. You might even see its bright moon, Triton.
Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, Nov. 1; the south Taurid meteors peak Nov. 5; the north Taurid meteor shower peaks Nov. 12.
James Edgar has had an interest in the night sky all his life. He joined The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 2000, was national president for two terms, is now the editor of the Observer’s Handbook, and production manager of the bi-monthly RASC Journal. The IAU named asteroid 1995 XC5 “(22421) Jamesedgar” in his honour and he is a Fellow of the RASC.
