As we step into the month of November, the night sky promises to be a celestial canvas of wonders, offering astrophiles a breathtaking array of astronomical events. From the Leonid meteor shower to Jupiter in opposition to the full Beaver Moon, Astronomical events in November 2023 is filled with amazing celestial spectacles that will leave us in awe.
November 3 – Jupiter at Opposition.
The best time to view and photograph Jupiter and its moons is at Jupiter opposition, which means that Earth is directly between Jupiter and the Sun. This happens every 13 months, and during this time, Jupiter is at its closest approach to Earth, and its face is fully illuminated by the Sun. As a result, Jupiter appears brighter than any other time of the year and is visible all night long. This is the best time to view and photograph Jupiter and its moons.
Here are some specific things you might be able to see when viewing Jupiter and its moons during opposition:
Jupiter’s cloud bands are made up of different gases. These bands have different colors, including brown, red, and white. Jupiter’s Great Red Spot is a giant storm that has been raging on Jupiter for centuries. It is the largest known storm in the solar system. Jupiter has over 95 known moons, but the four largest moons Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto are easily viewed from a small telescope.
November 4, 5 – Taurids Meteor Shower.
The Taurids is a long-running meteor shower producing only about 5-10 meteors per hour. It is unusual in that it consists of two separate streams and is produced by dust grains left behind by two different objects in the solar system. One shower is produced by the debris left by Asteroid 2004 TG10 and the second meteor stream is produced by debris left behind by Comet 2P Encke. The shower runs annually from September 7 to December 10. It peaks around on the night of November 4 and the morning of the 5th. The quarter moon may block most of the dim meteors this year, but if you are patient, you may still be able to catch a few good ones. The best viewing will be just after midnight from a dark location far away from city lights. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Taurus but can appear anywhere in the sky.
November 13 – New Moon.
The Moon will located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This is the best time of the month when you get to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere. The major favorite deep sky objects for the new moon night are the Andromeda Galaxy, Orion Nebula, and a few open star clusters such as Pleiades, H & Chi.
November 13 – Uranus at Opposition.
The blue-green planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and it will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the best time to view Uranus. Due to its distance, it will only appear as a tiny blue-green dot through the telescopes.
November 17, 18 – Leonids Meteor Shower.
The Leonids meteor Shower is a less vibrant meteor shower, producing up to 15 meteors per hour at its peak. This shower is unique in that it has a cyclonic peak about every 33 years where hundreds of meteors per hour can be seen. The last time the meteor shower showed a powerful display was in 2001. The Leonids are produced by dust grains left behind by comet Tempel-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1865. The shower runs annually from November 6-30. It peaks around on the night of the 17th and the morning of the 18th. The crescent moon will set before midnight leaving dark skies for the night to display. The best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Leo but can appear anywhere in the sky around early morning before sunrise.
November 27 – Full Moon.
The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth and its face will be will be fully illuminated by the Sun. This full moon is known as the Beaver Moon by the early Native American tribes because this was the time of year they set the beaver traps before the swamps and rivers froze. It has also been known as the Frosty Moon and the Dark Moon.
Astronomical events in November 2023 are a month to look up and be awestruck by the wonders of our universe. From meteor showers and planetary opposition to a full moon, the night sky offers a dazzling array of astronomical events for all stargazers to enjoy. Whether you are a seasoned astronomer or simply someone who loves gazing at the stars, make sure to set aside some time this November to witness these celestial displays. It is a reminder of the vast beauty that lies beyond our world and an opportunity to connect with the cosmos that has captured our imagination for centuries.
