A crescent moon with Venus will be one of the key sights of the November sky.
It’s getting cold and dark in November for those in the mid-northern latitudes, which is at least some good news for astrologers. The appearance of the Pleiades star cluster in the east after sunset signals that winter stars are on the way, with stars such as Taurus, Orion and Gemini all soon visible.
Elsewhere, you can watch a “supermoon” rise, see Saturn, and get gorgeous views of a crescent moon and Venus just after sunset.
Here are the stargazing, moongazing and night sky highlights for November 2024:
Venus and a crescent moon
When: after sunset on Monday, November 4 – Wednesday, November 6.
Where: western sky.
With Venus now settling into her reign as a bright ‘Evening Star’, she is visible every evening in the west after sunset. It will be joined by a crescent moon for three nights this week, just 10% illuminated on Monday November 4 and shining below Venus. This will be a difficult sight open only to those with a low view of the horizon. The following two evenings will make for easier viewing, with the waxing crescent farther from Venus but also higher in the sky.
Northern lights
When: after sunset all month (possible).
Where: north / whole sky.
As the sun approaches “solar maximum” — its most active in 23 years — the solar wind is often strong and geomagnetic storms in Earth’s magnetic field become more frequent. So be on the lookout for warnings about the aurora borealis appearing at lower than usual latitudes.
The Northern Lights are possible at lower latitudes this month as the sun moves closer to its ‘solar’ … [+]
Saturn and a bright moon
When: after sunset on Monday, November 10.
Where: southern sky.
Jupiter may be outshining Saturn, but seeing it shining next to the moon has been common in recent months. Tonight is another chance to see the ringed planet near the moon, which will be 70% illuminated. Look south from twilight onwards, and you’ll see Saturn to the upper left of the moon.
“Super Beaver Moon”
When: moonrise where you are on Saturday, November 16
Where: east-northeast
The eleventh and penultimate full moon of 2024 and the second of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, the “Beaver Moon” – also known as the “Frost Moon” and the “Mourning Moon” – is, technically, a supermoon – the last of 2024. However, will be the third smallest of the four “supermoons” of 2024. Catch it as it rises in the east-northeast for a spectacular view, not when it’s officially “full” on Friday, November 15, but the following afternoon — when dusk rises and shows the best. An hour after its appearance, Jupiter will rise below it.
The Pleiades are visible every night this month.
The Pleiades
When: after sunset throughout the month
Where: east
Known to sky watchers as one of the most beautiful sights in the night sky, but not widely appreciated, the Pleiades are the closest open star cluster in the solar system. About 445 light-years away and also known as M45 and the ‘Seven Sisters’, the Pleiades are seven main bright stars – Alcyone, Atlas, Electra, Maya, Merope, Taygeta and Pleione – in the constellation Taurus.
You can see them with the naked eye any night this week by looking east after sunset. Look at them directly. their stars twinkle in the shape of a mini Big Dipper. Look slightly to their side and you’ll better see a bright and dazzling sight at the corner of your eye.
I wish you clear skies and open eyes.
