NASA has recently shared its monthly guide on celestial events to watch out for in November.
Throughout the month, there will be various planets visible in the sky. Saturn, for instance, can be seen in the evenings towards the south, with a close encounter with the moon on November 10 for viewers in the Americas. According to NASA, “Check the sky around midnight, and you’ll notice the moon has moved a few degrees west of Saturn, showcasing the moon’s orbital motion in just a few hours.”
Jupiter will also be rising in the east early in the night in November, alongside the bright stars of Taurus and Orion, before moving across the sky by dawn. By the end of the month, Jupiter will be rising as the sky darkens. Additionally, Mars will appear as an orange dot rising behind Jupiter about three hours later. Those up early will spot Mars high in the morning sky before dawn.
Keep an eye out for Venus, shining brightly in the evening sky low in the southwest after sunset throughout November.
Witness a Lunar Occultation
In the early hours of November 27, sky gazers in the eastern U.S. and Canada have a chance to observe an occultation where Earth’s moon will pass in front of the star Spica. This event occurs when one celestial object is obscured by another as it passes between the object and the observer. This rare event is part of a series that began in June and will continue monthly until late next year.
There’s plenty to observe in the sky over the next few weeks. Clear skies are ideal for viewing, so head to a location with minimal light pollution for the best experience.
