Woking Planetarium

Read our November sky notes to find out what’s in the night sky this month!

Map

Constellations

These constellations are well placed in the evening this month, but many more can be seen. Check the star map for more.

Cetus rises in the eastern sky just after sunset this month, moving across the southern sky to set in the west. It sets earlier as the month goes on, so is visible for the longest time at the beginning of the month.

Taurus can be seen passing just south of the zenith over the course of the night. It rises in the east shortly after sunset and sets in the west just before dawn.

Gemini rises in the north east around 20:00 GMT at the beginning of the month, rising earlier towards the end when it rise about 19:30 GMT. It moves towards the zenith before disappearing in the western sky at dawn.

Planets

Mercury rises in the eastern sky just before dawn at the beginning of the month but within a few days gets too close to the Sun to be seen. It will be in conjunction with the Moon on the 3^rd and at superior solar conjunction on the 29^th.

Venus sets just before sunset, so may be visible close to the south western horizon. It will be in conjunction with the Moon as well as undergoing lunar occultation on the 8^th.

Mars is too close to the Sun to be seen this month.

Jupiter appears in the southern sky at sunset, setting in the west around midnight at the beginning of the month. By the end of month it sets around 23:15 BST. It will be in conjunction with the Moon on the 11^th.

Saturn appears low in the southern sky at sunset, setting in the south west a few hours into the evening. It will be in conjunction with the Moon on the 10^th.

Uranus is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. It is located in the south eastern sky at sunset. It rises high and moves across the southern sky before setting in the west at dawn. Uranus will be at opposition on the 4^th.

Neptune is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. It appears in the south eastern sky at sunset and sets in the early hours of the morning in the west.

Meteor Showers

The Northern Taurids reach their peak on the 12^th. The radiant (apparent origin point) of the meteors is in the constellation of Taurus. Meteors will be visible all night as Taurus stays above the horizon. Best displays are likely to be around 01:00 GMT when it is highest in the sky. You will likely see around 4 meteors per hour.

The Leonids reach their peak on the 17^th. The radiant (apparent origin point) of the meteors is in the constellation of Leo. Meteors will be visible from about 22:18 GMT, when Leo rises, until dawn. Best displays are likely to be just before dawn, as the radiant is at its highest point after dawn. You will likely see about 13 meteors per hour.

The α-Monocerotids reach their peak on the 21^st. The radiant (apparent origin point) is in the constellation of Canis Minor. Meteors will be visible from about 21:43 GMT, when Canis Minor rises, until dawn. Best displays are likely to be around 04:00 GMT, when it is highest in the sky.

The November Orionids reach their peak on the 28^th. The radiant (apparent origin point) of the meteors will be in the constellation of Orion. Meteors will be visible from around 18:12 GMT, when Orion rises, until dawn. Best displays are likely to be around 02:00 GMT when it is highest in the sky. You will likely see about 2 meteors per hour.

Moon

Last Quarter: 27^th

New Moon: 4^th

First Quarter: 11^th

Full Moon: 19^th

The Moon reaches perigee, its closest point to the Earth, on the 5^th and apogee, its furthest point on the 21^st. This effect is not visually apparent.

The Moon will be at perihelion, its closest point to the Sun, on the 6^th and aphelion, its furthest point, on the 17^th. This effect is not visually apparent.

Points of Interest

Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko will be at perihelion on the 3^rd, its brightest point on the 7^th, and at perigee on the 13^th.

The dwarf planet 1 Ceres is at opposition on the 27^th. It will lie in the constellation of Taurus and reach its highest point around midnight. It will be visible between 18:42 and 04:53 GMT.

Visit Spot the Station to find out when the ISS will be visible from your location.

Last updated: 18^th September.