Moon Phases
Tue., November 6, 7:36 p.m. EST
Last Quarter Moon
The last or third quarter moon rises around 11:45 p.m. and
sets around 1:15 p.m. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern
sky.
Tue., November 13, 5:08 p.m. EST
New Moon
The moon is not visible on the date of new moon because it
is too close to the sun, but can be seen low in the east as a narrow crescent a
morning or two before, just before sunrise. It is visible low in the west an
evening or two after new moon.
Tue., November 20, 9:31 a.m. EST
First Quarter Moon
The first quarter moon rises around 1:00 p.m. and sets
around 12:15 a.m. It dominates the evening sky
Wed., November 28, 9:46 a.m. EST
Full Moon
The full moon of November is called the beaver moon. In
Algonquian it is called the “much white frost on grass” moon. Other names are
frost moon, snow moon and hunter's moon. In Hindi it is known as kartik
poornima. Its Sinhala (Buddhist) name is il. The full moon rises around sunset
and sets around sunrise, the only night in the month when the moon is in the
sky all night long. The rest of the month, the moon spends at least some time
in the daytime sky.
Observing Highlights
Thu., November 1, 9 p.m.
Jupiter and the moon
The moon will pass just south of Jupiter soon after moonrise
in the eastern sky.
Sun., November 11, 6 a.m.
Venus, Spica and the moon
About an hour before sunrise, The Moon joins the planet
Venus and the bright star Spica in the morning sky.
Wed., November 14, morning
Total eclipse of the sun
The path of this eclipse crosses northern Queensland,
Australia before heading out across the Pacific Ocean. It will be visible as a
partial eclipse over all of Australia and New Zealand, as well as most of the
southern Pacific Ocean and southwestern South America.
Sat., November 17, 3 a.m.
Leonid meteor shower peaks
The Leonid meteor shower has at times produced incredible
storms of meteors. This year is not predicted to be anything out of the
ordinary, but there’s always a chance of seeing a good number of meteors,
especially this year since there will be no Moon in the sky after midnight when
meteors are most frequent.
Tue., November 27, before sunrise
Venus and Saturn in conjunction
A close approach between Venus and Saturn provides a rare
opportunity to see two planets in the same telescope field, as well as being a
treat for the unaided eye. Venus will be far brighter than Saturn.
Wed., November 28, 9 p.m.
Jupiter and the moon
The moon will again pass just south of Jupiter soon after
moonrise in the eastern sky.
Wed./Thu., November 28/29
Penumbral eclipse of the moon
This eclipse is best viewed in Asia, Australasia, and the
northwestern Pacific Ocean. It will be at maximum near the middle of the night, on the night which begins on
the 28th and ends on the 29th. The moon will only be
passing through the Earth’s penumbral shadow (outer circle), so will only be
slightly shaded at maximum eclipse; you will need to look closely to see the
shading.
Planets
Mercury is too close
to the sun all month to be observed.
Venus is still a
morning “star,” shining brightly before sunrise. It spends most of the month in
Virgo, crossing into Libra on November 27.
Mars has faded into
the west moving behind the sun. It moves from Ophiuchus into Sagittarius on
November 12.
Jupiter is now in
Taurus, close to Aldebaran and the Hyades. It rises about an hour after sunset,
and is visible the rest of the night.
Saturn reappears
from behind the sun in the morning sky around the middle of the month, just in time
for a spectacular conjunction with Venus on November 27.
Uranus is visible
most of the night in Pisces. It sets around 3 a.m.
Neptune remains in
the depths of Aquarius all month, and sets around midnight.
Geoff Gaherty
Starry Night Software Support
All graphics © 2012 Starry Night Software
