The moon starts out the month just past full phase, with Jupiter less than a degree above in the eastern evening sky - an occultation in southern Africa.
Nov. 11, Venus and Spica bracket the thin crescent moon in the early morning. Spica is occulted for viewers in the southern Indian Ocean and Antarctica.
Saturn is a morning object now, and rises in the east with the thin moon Nov. 12. The following day, Nov. 13, is new moon, resulting in the second solar eclipse of the year, this one being total and promising to attract an inordinate number of eclipse chasers to the Land of Oz. The sun rises eclipsed over Australia's Northern Territory and Cape York Peninsula (Nov. 14), spending the rest of the event over the Pacific Ocean.
Nov. 16, Mars is four degrees south of the waxing lunar orb in the evening twilight. The moon is full Nov. 28, resulting in a lunar eclipse (two weeks after the solar eclipse, of course). The eclipse begins in the west at 6:15 local time, and the moon sets at the time of maximum eclipse. This is a penumbral eclipse, so the moon will show only a light darkening across the top edge, and not until more than half an hour after the eclipse begins.
The month ends with Jupiter again close by a nearly full moon, occulted in South America and South Africa.
Mercury is an unlikely observation object, closing in on inferior conjunction; possibly reappearing in the eastern morning sky at month end.
Venus shines brightly in the eastern mornings, joined by the moon Nov. 11, Spica Nov. 16, and Saturn Nov. 27.
Mars is low in the southwest sky in early evening, setting right after the sun.
Jupiter rises in mid-evening close by the moon just past full phase Nov. 1. Both are in Taurus, the bull, with the Pleiades (Seven Sisters) hovering above and to the right. It should make for a very photogenic scene.
Saturn is back in the sky after passing behind the sun during the previous month. If you have never seen the Ringed Planet through a telescope, you should arrange a viewing. It is utterly amazing to see Saturn and its moons in real time through a high-powered eyepiece, hanging against the pure blackness of space.
Uranus is in a good position for viewing all through the night in the constellation Pisces, the fish.
Neptune is likewise a target for telescope viewing in the early evening in Aquarius, the water bearer.
Daylight saving time ends Nov. 4. For meteor watchers, the South Taurids peak on the evening of Nov. 11.
- 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 editor's assistant and a contributor to Observer's Handbook, production manager of the bi-monthly RASC Journal and the society's national secretary. He was given the RASC Service Award at the 2012 general assembly in Edmonton.
