November brings a busy month for skywatchers, with a supermoon, a close meeting of Mars and Jupiter, and the Leonid meteor shower all on the calendar. The month opens with the waning Moon passing near Mars, Jupiter and the star Regulus in the early mornings of November 2 and 3.
The standout planetary event comes on November 16, when Mars and Jupiter appear just over one degree apart in the constellation Leo. Sky guides say to look to the south-east before sunrise, where bright white Jupiter sits beside reddish Mars. Binoculars show both planets in the same field of view, though in reality they remain hundreds of millions of kilometres apart.
The Leonid meteor shower peaks on the night of November 17 to 18, as Earth passes through debris left by Comet Tempel-Tuttle. Later in the month, the full Beaver Moon rises on November 24. It counts as a supermoon because it falls near the Moon’s closest approach to Earth, so it appears slightly larger and brighter than an average full Moon.
Most of these events need no equipment, according to sky guides, though binoculars help with the Mars and Jupiter pairing. Clear, dark skies away from city lights give the best view.
Source: Time and Date
