The moon begins the month just past first quarter, only a few days away from full phase Nov. 6. But, before that, Luna has an encounter with Uranus Nov. 4, an occultation in the North Atlantic. Then, Nov. 8, the moon brushes by the bright star Aldebaran in Taurus, The Bull. Jupiter shares the morning sky Nov. 14; and the moon is 7 degrees above Mars Nov. 26.
Mercury is in prime viewing posture during the first weeks of November, the most favourable morning apparition for northern observers. Nov. 2, Mercury is five degrees above the bright star Spica.
Venus is not visible during the month.
Mars is low in the western horizon at sunset, nudging up close to the globular cluster M22 Nov. 6. The Red Planet is slowly moving over toward Neptune, closing in on a conjunction early in 2015; "conjunction" means occupying the same celestial longitude.
Jupiter appears in the east just after midnight, among the stars of Leo, The Lion. Off to the west and higher up are the six brightest stars in the night sky: from the horizon going in a counter clockwise spiral are Sirius, Rigel, Aldeberan, Capella, Castor and Betelgeuse.
Saturn is not visible during the month.
Uranus is in a good position for viewing, crossing the sky throughout the night in the constellation Pisces, the fish. The green gas planet is retrograding - apparently moving westward against the starry background. Of course, it's we here on Earth who are moving more rapidly around the sun, making it appear at times that the outer planets move "backwards." Watch for the close encounter early in the month (see the moon above).
Neptune is well placed for evening viewing with a telescope. The distant planet sets around midnight, retrograding until mid-month.
Nov. 5, the South Taurid meteor shower peaks. This is one of the remnant dust trails left over from the numerous passages of Comet Encke, which has the shortest known period of any comet- it orbits the sun every three years.
Daylight Saving Time ends Nov. 2.
- James Edgar has had an interest in the night sky all his life. He joined the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 2000 and is now the society's president, assistant editor and a contributor to the Observer's Handbook, production manager of the bi-monthly RASC Journal. He was given the RASC Service Award at the 2012 General Assembly in Edmonton.
