The moon begins this month less than half a day past full phase. Nov. 4, it is just 0.2 degrees north of the cluster M35. By Nov. 12, the thin, crescent moon shares the early morning sky with Venus, just three degrees north of the bright planet. A day later, Mercury is 1.7 degrees south. This should be a good opportunity to see both inner planets with the moon in between.
The moon is new Nov. 14, and also at perigee (closest to Earth), generating high tides in coastal areas. By Nov. 18, Jupiter and Saturn are in close proximity for a couple of days, two degrees and three degrees north, respectively. The waxing-crescent moon is five degrees north of Mars Nov. 25; Nov. 27, Uranus is three degrees north of Luna. The moon is full Nov. 30, which is also the beginning of the second eclipse season of 2020, with a penumbral lunar eclipse widely visible in the Western Hemisphere.
Mercury is visible in the eastern morning sky early in the month, reaching greatest elongation west Nov. 10. This apparition favours Northern Hemisphere viewers as the ecliptic is high in the sky before daybreak.
Venus rises in the east all through November, just ahead of Mercury’s appearance. The two planets gradually round in their orbits, dropping lower and lower each day. At first, Venus gains on Mercury, closing the gap by mid-month, then speedy Mercury draws away to vanish in the sun’s glare by month end, leaving Venus to dominate the sky.
Mars is visible in the east at sunsetsandwiched between Neptune and Uranus, rising higher each night through the month, but becoming noticeably dimmer as Earth pulls away from the Red Planet. Mars has been retrograding, and Nov. 15, becomes stationary to then begin prograde motion for the rest of the month. Watch for the nearby moon Nov. 25.
Jupiter and Saturn are both close together low in the southwest at sunset. The gap between the two gas giants closes from five degrees to two degrees as the month progresses. The waxing crescent moon is with them Nov. 18 and 19.
Uranus is visible in the east at sunset, retrograding across the sky throughout the night, trailing behind Mars. The moon glides by Nov. 27.
Neptune is well placed in the evening sky, retrograding ahead of Mars, and becoming stationary Nov. 29.
Daylight Saving Time ends on Nov. 1.
The south Taurid meteor shower peaks on Nov. 5.
A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs on Nov. 30, visible for Western Hemisphere viewers.
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.
