NASA's November Skywatching Tips

NASA has unveiled its exciting skywatching tips for November, featuring a lineup of phenomenal astronomical events—mark your calendars!

Visible Planets

This month, several planets will be easily visible, making it a prime time for stargazers. Saturn, for instance, will be prominently positioned in the southern sky during the evenings. On November 10, Saturn will host an extraordinary visual show when it appears to have a celestial rendezvous with the moon. NASA suggests taking a peek at the sky around midnight to witness the moon shift several degrees away from Saturn. This swift movement serves as a perfect demonstration of the moon's orbital motion—an astonishing sight for astronomy enthusiasts!

Jupiter aficionados will also be pleased, as this magnificent gas giant will rise early in the east alongside the vibrant stars of the Taurus and Orion constellations, continuing its journey across the sky until dawn. By the end of the month, Jupiter will emerge just as twilight falls. And don't forget about Mars! This fiery red planet will rise shortly after Jupiter, three hours later, and will be positioned high overhead, ideal for early risers eager to catch a glimpse before dawn.

Keep your eyes peeled for the dazzling Venus, too. This bright planet will light up the evening sky, low in the southwest, following sunset throughout the month.

Lunar Occultation: A Celestial Highlight

Get ready for a breathtaking astronomical spectacle—on November 27, just hours before sunrise, skywatchers in the eastern U.S. and Canada will have the chance to witness a lunar occultation. During this event, the moon will glide directly in front of the star Spica, temporarily obscuring it. This cosmic phenomenon, where one celestial body passes in front of another, offers a unique opportunity for stunning views.

NASA explains, "This occultation is part of a series that began in June and will continue monthly through late next year." As the moon’s orbit gently shifts across the sky, it will occasionally cross in front of Spica, with this November event exclusively visible from select regions on Earth. North American viewers are in luck this month, as South American observers will need to wait until April for their opportunity. Mark this down: for U.S. skywatchers, this is the last convenient chance to see the moon occult Spica until 2032, when a new series will commence globally.

Conclusion

With so much celestial beauty on display, now is the perfect time to grab your telescope or binoculars and enjoy the cosmic wonders that November has to offer! Just remember, clear skies will be key, so try to find a dark spot free from light pollution for the most spectacular view. Don't let these stunning astronomical events pass you by!