Our celestial neighbourhood in November
Pick of the month: Venus
Best time to see: 30 November, from 16:30 UT
Altitude: 10˚
Location: Sagittarius
Direction: South-southwest
Features: Phase, subtle atmospheric shadings
Recommended equipment: 75mm or larger
Venus is an evening object, suffering from being in a southern ecliptic part of the sky. In fact, it’s currently in Sagittarius, the most southerly of the Zodiacal constellations, and this keeps its altitude low as seen from the UK. Despite this, at mag. –4.7 Venus is intensely bright and as long as your south through to west-southwest horizon is relatively clear you should be able to see it, weatherpermitting of course.
Venus reached greatest eastern elongation on 29 October when it appeared separated from the Sun by 47˚. It’s now heading back towards the Sun, gathering pace as it speeds towards inferior conjunction on 8 January. It sets 100 minutes after the Sun on 1 November, a figure which increases to 150 minutes by the end of the month.
Venus’s November passage against the stars takes it through the Teapot asterism in Sagittarius, the planet passing across the northern regions of the Teapot’s handle in the middle of the month. An 11%-lit waxing crescent Moon lies west of Venus on 7 November, while a 20%- lit waxing crescent lies to the east of the planet on 8 November.
Telescopically, Venus appearing thinner each day is entering its majestic crescent phase, appearing thinner with each passing day. Unfortunately, a thin cres cent and low altitude are not a good combination, and the poor atmospheric conditions to get a sharp view of Venus’s beautiful shape. On 1 November, Venus exhibits a 47%-lit phase, with an experienced when viewing a planet close to the horizon will make it tricky apparent diameter of 25 arcseconds. By the end of the month, the phase will have reduced to 28%-lit while the apparent diameter will have increased to 38 arcseconds.
Mercury
Best time to see: 1 November, from 06:15 UT Altitude: 6˚ (low)
Location: Virgo
Direction: East-southeast
Mercury is a well-positioned morning object at the start of November, rising 100 minutes before sunrise. For most of the month it’s approaching superior conjunction, which finally occurs on the 29th. Despite losing separation from the Sun, Mercury’s brightness increases over the month, from mag. –0.8 on the 1st to –1.2 by the month’s end. On the 3rd a 3%-lit waning crescent Moon lies 6˚ northwest of Mercury. The planet rises 90 minutes before the Sun on this date.
Mars
Best time to see: 30 November, 07:00 UT
Altitude: 4˚ (low)
Location: Libra
Direction: Southeast
Mars is a morning object, too close to the Sun to be seen properly at the month’s start, but getting sufficient separation so that its mag. +1.6 dot can be seen after the first week. On the 10th and 11th, mag. +1.6 Mars sits near to mag. –0.8 Mercury, both planets being about 1˚ apart on these dates.
Jupiter
Best time to see: 1 November, from 18:00 UT Altitude: 21˚
Location: Capricornus
Direction: South
Jupiter is now easy to observe in the evening sky, reaching its highest position, due south, in the early evening. At this time, it will be 22˚ up. The first quarter Moon sits 5˚ south of mag. –2.3 Jupiter on the 11th. By the month’s end, Jupiter’s southerly position is compromised by evening twilight.
Saturn
Best time to see: 1 November, from 18:00 UT
Altitude: 18˚
Location: Capricornus
Direction: South
As we approach the year’s end, the placement of the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn becomes compromised by twilight. At the start of November, Saturn can be viewed at its highest point in the sky, due south, in darkness, but by the month’s end you’ll struggle to see it in this position. As the sky does darken towards the end of the month, look out for Jupiter, Saturn and Venus, all in a line with Saturn in the middle.
Uranus
Best time to see: 4 November, around midnight
Altitude: 52˚
Location: Aries
Direction: South
Uranus reaches opposition on 4 November and is visible all night long. It reaches an altitude of 52˚ when due south, as seen from the centre of the UK. A bright, almost full Moon sits 1.8˚ south of mag. +5.7 Uranus on the morning of the 18th around 04:00 UT.
Neptune
Best time to see: 1 November, 21:00 UT
Altitude: 32˚
Location: Aquarius
Direction: South
Neptune remains wellpositioned all month, an evening planet near mag. +4.2 Phi (ϕ) Aquarii. The long dark nights allow it to appear at its highest position in the sky, due south under dark-sky conditions. Shining at mag. +7.9, binoculars are required.
The planets in November
The phase and relative sizes of the planets this month. Each planet is shown with south at the top, to show its orientation through a telescope
Jupiter’s moons: November
Using a small scope you can spot Jupiter’s biggest moons. Their positions change dramatically during the month, as shown on the diagram. The line by each date represents 00:00 UT.
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