Top 3 Must-See Events In November 2024 Sky: Planetary Pairings To Dazzling Venus Show
November Sky: Whether you’re a seasoned stargazer or new to the night sky, November offers plenty of reasons to step outside and look up.
Skywatching Tips
- Early November: Start the month with Venus and the Moon’s close pairing on November 4.
- Mid-November: Look for Saturn and the Moon near each other on November 10, a treat for binoculars or telescopes.
- Late November: Catch the rare lunar occultation of Spica on November 27
November Skywatching Guide: As the nights grow longer and chillier, November offers a spectacular lineup for skywatchers. With planets like Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars all making appearances, a unique celestial dance with the Moon, and a historic flyby of Venus by NASA's Parker Solar Probe — there is plenty to marvel at this month. Here’s a rundown of what to see and when, according to NASA.
November Planetary Highlights
Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars
Throughout November, Saturn graces the southern sky for most of the night, especially captivating on November 10 when it appears very close to the Moon. This close meetup, or conjunction, will be less than a degree apart just after dark, perfect for those with binoculars or a telescope. By midnight, the Moon will have drifted slightly westward, providing a striking demonstration of the Moon’s swift orbital motion.
In the early evening sky, Jupiter rises in the east, joined by the familiar stars of Taurus and Orion, creating a brilliant display. By late November, Jupiter will be visible as darkness falls, and it continues to shine high in the sky until dawn. Following behind Jupiter by a few hours, Mars rises in the early morning, positioned high above as the Sun approaches the horizon.
Venus’s Stunning Appearance In The Southwest
Venus is unmissable in the southwestern sky after sunset. Blazing bright and close to the horizon, it creates a beautiful pairing with a slim crescent Moon on November 4, forming an enchanting view as the last glow of daylight fades. Those in the Southern Hemisphere get an even better view, as Venus appears higher in the sky, alongside Mercury for an evening treat.
NASA Parker Solar Probe Visits Venus
On November 6, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, en route to its closest-ever encounters with the Sun, will make its final flyby of Venus. This manoeuver will enable the spacecraft to adjust its orbit for three record-breaking approaches to the Sun, beginning in late December. During previous flybys, the probe managed to capture images of Venus’s surface features through its dense clouds. As you watch Venus from Earth, remember that this radiant “evening star” is helping a probe get close enough to the Sun to unlock its secrets.
November 27: A Rare Lunar Occultation Of Spica
On the morning of November 27, early risers in the eastern half of the US and Canada will witness a rare lunar occultation of Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo. During this occultation, the Moon will pass in front of Spica, temporarily hiding it from view. Observers in other regions may see the Moon pass closely by, though without completely obscuring the star.
This occultation is part of a series that began in June and will continue monthly until late next year, as the Moon’s path occasionally crosses in front of Spica. For US skywatchers, this will be the last chance to catch the Moon occult Spica until 2032, when a new cycle of monthly occultations will begin. Even if you miss this event, the Moon regularly crosses paths with other bright stars, offering future opportunities to experience the mesmerising sight of a star disappearing behind the Moon.
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