5 astronomical events to look out for this November

space & rocket center — There are so many spectacular astronomical events happening this month. (Hville Blast)

Happy November, Rocket City! This month is full of exciting astronomical events you won’t want to miss — grab your telescopes and binoculars, head outside and look up for a beautiful display of planets, meteors and more.

1. Witness Jupiter + its moons — Friday, Nov. 3

Jupiter and its moons are here to kick off November, illuminated by the Sun and positioned as close to the Earth as they’ll be all year. Take a look in the sky after 11PM on Friday, November 3, where Jupiter will shine bright until mid-December.

2. Peak of the Taurids meteor shower — Saturday, Nov. 4

Silhouette of Trees during Nighttime — This shower has been active since September 7. (Photo by Neale LaSalle on Pexels)

While the Taurids have been active since early September, they will peak on the night of November 4 and through the following morning. This astronomical event is unique in that it consists of two separate streams: one from an asteroid discovered in 2004 and another from a comet discovered in 1786.

3. New Moon + Uranus at opposition — Monday, Nov. 13

During the New Moon phase, galaxies and star clusters will be more visible since there is no moonlight present. On the same day, you’ll be able to see Uranus at opposition, but you’ll need to use your most powerful telescope to see the planet, which is still located very far away.

4. Peak of the Leonids meteor shower — Friday, Nov. 17

Dark Starry Sky astronomical events — The Leonids have a unique, cyclonic peak that occurs once every 33 years. (Photo by Aleksandar Pasaric on Pexels)

In the clear, dark sky after midnight on November 17, you’ll be able to see the peak time for the Leonids meteor shower. This astronomical event is made of the leftover dust particles from the Temple-Tuttel comet, discovered in 1865.

5. Beaver Moon — Monday, Nov. 27

The Beaver Moon was named so by the early Native American tribes who deemed this the best time of year to set beaver traps. A variation of the Full Moon phase, the Beaver Moon will be located at the opposite side of the Earth with its face fully lit up.

If you’re able to see any of these astronomical events and get some pictures, we would love to see them! Share your pictures on social media and tag us or DM us at @hvilleblast.

Want guides like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter today.