November is an exciting month for celestial events, with a mix of meteor showers, a prominent full moon and unique planetary alignments.
This month offers plenty of opportunities for observers to witness some of the wonders of the night sky, either through a telescope or simply by looking up.
The Taurids, known for their slow-moving but bright 'fireballs', reach their peak in early November. Although not the most active meteor shower, it can be spectacular because of the bright meteors.
After the Taurids, the Northern Taurids reach their peak a week later. Although the rate is slow (5-10 meteors per hour), the potential for bright fireballs makes it worth it.
The Leonids, known for their occasional meteor storms, will peak in mid-month. Under ideal conditions with dark skies, you can see 15 to 20 meteors per hour, although the shower occasionally produces dramatic displays with hundreds of meteors.
A rare celestial event in which the moon passes directly in front of Jupiter, temporarily obscuring it from view. This will be visible in parts of North America and is especially noticeable to observers with telescopes or binoculars.
The full moon in November, known as the Beaver Moon, will light up the sky. It's a wonderful time for moonlight photography and stargazing.
Uranus will be closest to Earth and fully illuminated by the Sun, making it the best time of year to observe this distant planet. Although it is not visible to the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope will reveal its bluish color.
Planetary viewing
Venus shines brightly in the pre-dawn sky throughout the month of November, while Mars and Saturn are visible in the evening sky, providing great viewing opportunities for planet lovers.
For the best viewing experience, find a dark spot away from city lights and plan around the moon phases, as a bright moon can reduce the visibility of meteors and faint celestial objects.
