November marks the beginning of dark and crisp winter nights, even if it
means having to wrap up to keep warm Clocks will have gone back (at least here
in the UK) towards the end of October, so you won't have to say up quite so late
to enjoy the night sky. As ever, there is plenty to see, and who knows -
hopefully a few surprises as well.
In this monthly review, we show you the phases of the moon, what planets can be seen, and anything else that might draw your gaze up into the night sky.
Date
Sun
Astronomical
Twilight
Rise
Set
Begin
End
01 November
06:55
16:31
05:00
18:26
10 November
07:11
16:16
05:14
18:13
20 November
07:29
16:02
05:29
18:02
30 November
07:45
15:53
05:42
17:56
Moon
The moon is the closest celestial body to the earth. On average it's only 238,000 miles away, so you can see plenty of detail even through a small telescope. As it orbits, the moon goes through phases as different parts of it's surface is in shadow. All you need is a pair of binoculars and a clear night and you will be able to see craters, vast mountain ranges and the lunar 'seas'.
The moon does cause problems for deep-sky observers, as the glare can drown-out the faint light coming from distant galaxies and nebula.
Mercury starts the month very close to the sun. Certainly not in a position to observe. As we go through November, it will become possible to observe it in the evening. However, it will be very close to the horizon at sunset, so is probably not visible for most of us.
Always take care when observing Mercury - only do so once the sun is below the horizon.
Venus is a morning object throughout November. In the early part of the month, it should still be possible to see before sunrise. However, it will become more difficult to see towards the end of the month, as it will be lost in the morning glare.
Venus is now almost on the opposite side of the sun, and will be almost full phase. It remains at about magnitude -4.
Mars will be a good observing target throughout November. It will rise at about 22:15 UT at the start of the month, in the constellation of Cancer. At magnitude 0.56, it should be easily seen with the naked eye. Through a telescope, you may also see darker patches over the rusty red surface.
Towards the end of the month, Mars will rise earlier, and so will be at the zenith in the early morning. It's position will also have moved to about halfway between Cancer and Leo.
Jupiter is an evening object, and at magnitude -2, can be easily seen with the naked eye. It is not best placed to observe through a telescope as it never reaches high in the sky. As November draws to a close, Jupiter will set earlier in the evening, and so observing it will become much more difficult.
Look towards Capricorn, and you cannot miss it. It is easily the brightest 'star' visible.
Saturn is now a morning object, rising a few hours before the sun. If you look towards Virgo, you should be able to see Saturn at magnitude 1.5, easily visible with the naked eye.
As the month progresses, it will rise earlier in the night, and so be easier to observe for those of us not so keen as to stay out all night.
It's rings are still almost edge on, so it won't be the spectacular sight we have been used to in previous years. But even through modest telescopes, you should still be able to view them.
Uranus will only just be visible to the naked eye - if you have a very dark sight. So, you will probably need a telescope or binoculars to see it. It is positioned just below Pieces and is magnitude 6.
You will not be able to see any detail, as this gas planet has few clouds, but you should be able to distinguish it's colour, and through larger telescope, perhaps even a small disk.
If you are not sure if you have spotted Uranus, make a note of it's position, and then observe it again a few nights later. You should be able to see that it has moved relative to the background stars.
Neptune, almost at magnitude 8, is too faint to be viewed without a telescope or binoculars. It is just above Jupiter in Capricorn and can be seen in the early part of the night. towards the end of the Month, it will set earlier, and so observing may become impossible.
You will not be able to see any surface detail, although with a larger telescope, you may be able to see it's brighter moon.
November is probably the last chance to observe Neptune for a few months. As it sets earlier, it will be lost in the evening glare from the sun.
