November 2024 Skywatching Events

November 3, 2024

November 2024 promises to be an exciting month for stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere, with a variety of celestial events and objects to observe. Here are some highlights to look forward to:

Planetary Viewing

Mercury: Early in the month, Mercury can be seen low on the southwestern horizon shortly after sunset. It reaches its greatest eastern elongation on November 16th, making it easier to spot.

Venus: Venus will be visible in the southwestern sky shortly after sunset, shining brightly. On November 4th, it will pair up with a slim crescent Moon, creating a beautiful sight.

Mars: Mars will be visible high in the early morning sky, glowing with its characteristic red hue. It will be a prominent object for early risers.

Jupiter: Jupiter will rise in the east early in the evening and will be visible throughout the night. It will be near the Moon on November 10th, making for a great viewing opportunity.

Saturn: Saturn will be high in the southern sky for most of the night. It will have a close pairing with the Moon on November 10th.

Uranus: Uranus reaches opposition on November 16th, making it the best time to observe this distant planet. It will be visible in the constellation Taurus, near the Pleiades star cluster.

Meteor Showers and Occultations

Lunar Occultation of Spica: On the morning of November 27th, a rare lunar occultation of Spica will be visible from parts of the U.S. and Canada. This event occurs when the Moon passes in front of the bright star, temporarily hiding it from view.

Perseid Meteor Shower: Although the peak of the Perseid meteor shower occurs in August, there may still be some residual activity in November, especially in the early morning hours.

Deep Sky Objects

Andromeda Galaxy (M31): Under dark skies, the Andromeda Galaxy is visible to the naked eye. It's a great time to observe this nearby galaxy with binoculars or a small telescope.

Pleiades Star Cluster: The Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters, is a beautiful open star cluster in the constellation Taurus. It's easily visible to the naked eye and makes for a stunning sight through binoculars.

Tips for Sky Watching

To get the best views, try to find a location away from city lights where the sky is darker. A star chart or a stargazing app can help you locate and identify celestial objects. Give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness and be patient as you scan the sky for objects. Learn more at What’s Up: November 2024 Skywatching Tips from NASA.

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