With November, we take steps closer to the solstice. In the northern hemisphere, winter approaches in earnest; in the southern, the sun is welcomed back and temperatures continue to rise. The November night sky this month is also a time of astronomical activity, with active meteor showers, planetary close approaches, and even a few extra astronomical events we don’t get every month.
Hopefully, the skies will be clear and dark for you to enjoy at least one, or to get out for one of these other astronomical events happening in the November night sky.
The first of these is the Northern Taurids Meteor Shower. The Taurids run from approximately October 20th to November 30th, but their peak of activity is on November 12th. On this night of peak activity, you can spot up to ten meteors per hour!
The only thing that could possibly dim your viewing is that the moon will be nearly full and 78% illuminated on the 12th. Still, it’s a great time to get out your telescope and aim away from the moon’s glow to try and get a meteor shower show.
Look for the Taurids radiant point in the constellation of Taurus. For most people, it will be in the eastern or southern sky depending on your location. Keep your eyes peeled in the general direction of Taurus, but look around that area of the night sky to spot meteors with longer tails.
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