Astronomy Calendar: Astronomical Events in November 2024

28th Oct 2024
Astronomy Calendar: Astronomical Events in November 2024

As autumn leaves fall, the night sky rises to the occasion, offering a celestial spectacle that rivals nature’s earthbound beauty. November 2024 unfolds as a cosmic theater, with each astronomical event playing its part in a grand universal performance. This month, the stars align, quite literally, to present a series of celestial phenomena that will challenge our perceptions and expand our horizons. So, let’s figure out when, where, what, and how.

Astronomy Calendar November 2024

Best Time to Stargaze in the UK

For UK stargazers, autumn and winter provide ideal conditions for celestial observations. November, in particular, offers longer nights and often clearer skies, making it an excellent month for stargazing. The best time to observe the night sky is on clear nights when the moon is in its crescent phase or absent altogether, as this ensures the darkest sky conditions. 

Aim for periods free from heavy cloud cover and consider visiting designated Dark Sky Parks, such as Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, which boasts the most pristine dark skies in the UK. Now, let’s go back what. So, here is a full list of astronomical events you don’t want to miss this November.

1 November: New Moon

On the first day of the month, the New Moon will occur at 12:47 PM BST for observers in the United Kingdom. This lunar phase marks the beginning of the lunar cycle, where the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, with its dark side facing our planet. During this alignment, the Moon’s illuminated surface is not visible from Earth, resulting in the darkest night skies of the month.

This absence of moonlight is an ideal opportunity for stargazers to explore celestial wonders without interference from lunar brightness. 

4 November: Conjunction of Moon and Venus

Stargazers are in for a treat: a stunning celestial duet between the Moon and Venus will light up the early evening sky. This conjunction will reach its closest approach at 23:51 BST. At this moment, the delicate crescent Moon, illuminated at a soft 9%, will glide within just 3°05′ of Venus.

Look to the southwestern horizon around 17:11 BST as twilight fades. The pair will rise about 14° above, making this cosmic pairing not only a beautiful sight to the naked eye but also a dream for astrophotography enthusiasts.

11 November: Moon near Saturn

It’s going to be a spectacular night as the Moon makes a close approach to Saturn. The Moon, illuminated at 77%, will be just 0.06 degrees from the ringed planet, creating a stunning sight in the night sky. This event is particularly exciting as it coincides with a lunar occultation, where the Moon will pass in front of Saturn, briefly hiding it from view for observers in parts of North and South America.

The conjunction will occur around 1:36 GMT. Don’t miss this chance to witness two of the most captivating objects in our solar system come together!

12 November: Northern Taurid meteor shower 

The Northern Taurid meteor shower reaches its peak on the night of November 12. This annual shower, known for its slow-moving meteors and occasional brilliant fireballs, will be at its most active around midnight GMT in the UK. While the Northern Taurids typically produce a modest rate of about 5 meteors per hour, their tendency to create exceptionally bright, long-lasting fireballs makes them a favorite among stargazers.

The shower’s radiant point will be high in the southern sky, offering optimal viewing conditions. For the best experience, find a dark location away from city lights, allow your eyes to adjust for about 20 minutes, and scan the entire sky – you might just witness a dazzling fireball streaking across the night.

15 November: Full Moon, Supermoon

November's Full Moon
Credit: https://www.timeanddate.com

Mark your calendars for November 15, 2024, as the night sky will be illuminated by a spectacular celestial event – the Full Beaver Moon, which also happens to be a Supermoon. This lunar spectacle will reach its peak illumination at 4:28 PM GMT in the UK, offering an extended viewing opportunity throughout the evening. As the last of three consecutive supermoons in 2024, this Full Moon will appear noticeably larger and brighter than usual, with its closest approach to Earth at approximately 360,261 km – about 30,000 km nearer than its average distance. 

Skywatchers can expect to see the Moon rise in the east shortly after sunset, appearing up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical Full Moon.

17 November: Leonid meteor shower peak

This annual shower, known for its fast and bright meteors, promises to dazzle stargazers with up to 15 meteors per hour at its peak. The Leonids, produced by dust grains left behind by comet Tempel-Tuttle, will radiate from the constellation Leo but can appear anywhere in the sky. While the nearly full moon may hinder visibility of fainter meteors this year, patient observers might still catch some of the brightest streaks. 

Keep in mind that the Leonids are famous for their periodic storms, producing thousands of meteors per hour roughly every 33 years, with the next spectacular display anticipated around 2034.

17 November: Uranus at opposition, Moon near Jupiter

With meteor shower peak, this night promises a triple celestial treat for stargazers! Uranus reaches opposition at 02:48 GMT, offering the best opportunity of the year to observe this distant ice giant. Shining at magnitude 5.6, Uranus will be at its brightest and closest to Earth, visible throughout the night. While theoretically visible to the naked eye under perfect conditions, binoculars or a small telescope will reveal Uranus as a tiny blue-green disk.

Adding to the night’s spectacle, the waxing gibbous Moon will be in close proximity to Jupiter, creating a stunning pairing in the evening sky. Jupiter will be unmistakable near the Moon. Bundle up and prepare for a night of cosmic wonders as the autumn sky showcases these celestial giants!

21 November: α-Monocerotid meteor shower

meteor shower
Credit: https://www.npr.org

This night, you have a chance to witness the elusive α-Monocerotid meteor shower. This rare celestial event, active from November 15 to 25, typically produces a low number of meteors. However, it’s known for occasional intense outbursts that can create spectacular, albeit brief, meteor storms. The α-Monocerotids originate from an unknown long-period comet, with meteors streaking across the sky at an impressive speed of 65 km/s. While the average zenithal hourly rate is usually modest, past outbursts in 1925, 1935, and 1995 have produced rates exceeding 1,000 meteors per hour.

The shower’s radiant lies in the constellation Monoceros, near the celestial equator. Although predicting the shower’s intensity is challenging, patient observers might be rewarded with a surprise outburst.

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