November Night Sky 2024: See this month’s brightest planets
The night sky in November offers some striking sights, with multiple planets visible throughout the month. Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn will be prominent, each offering unique characteristics and timing for those who wish to observe them. Here’s what to look out for and when, as these celestial bodies bring their unique glow to the evening sky.
Venus: Bright beacon in the western sky
Venus is the highlight of the western sky this month, becoming more visible each evening. In late November, this planet shines for almost three hours after sunset, making it hard to miss as one of the brightest points in the sky. Venus’s position shifts east and passes through the Teapot constellation in Sagittarius on November 16. If you’re out and about on November 4, look for a thin crescent moon just below Venus shortly after sunset – an impressive pair for the casual stargazer.
Mars: Fiery presence becomes brighter
Mars appears in the eastern sky late in the evening, with its orange-red glow becoming more prominent as it approaches Earth. By means of mid-NovemberMars almost doubles in brightness and stands out against nearby stars Castor and Pollux. On November 20, around 10 p.m., the waning moon will be to the left of Mars, creating a beautiful contrast. This makes it an ideal time to spot the planet if you want to look at the sky late at night.
Jupiter: shines strongly in the east
Jupiter rises in the east a few hours after sunset in early November and reaches higher points in the sky during the month. This gigantic planet, accompanied by its bright moons, is easily visible through small telescopes. Jupiter’s magnitude brightens as it approaches opposition to the Sun in early December, reaching its peak in late November when it is near the orange star Aldebaran and the Hyades star cluster.
Saturn: rings in the southern sky
Nestled among the stars of Aquarius, Saturn takes its place high in the southern sky after nightfall. On November 10, telescope users can see Saturn’s rings tilted at their widest angle of the year. Saturn slowly ends its retrograde phase on November 16 and begins its gradual descent from the night sky over the coming months. The planet’s steady, pale yellow glow makes it a striking addition to November’s celestial display.
For skywatchers, November offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy these planetary sights, with a telescope or with the naked eye.
