Eyes on the Sky Update for 11/6 – 11/12

Eyes on the Sky Update

for

Monday, November 6, 2023 – Sunday, November 12, 2023

Monday, Nov. 6 – Look for Saturn in the south-southeast about 6 p.m.  To the unaided eye, Saturn will look like an ordinary “star.”  Far below Saturn is a lone bright star called Fomalhaut, the brightest star of the Southern Fish, Pisces Austrinus.

Tuesday, Nov. 7 – The waning crescent moon is seen against the stars of Leo, near its brightest star, Regulus.  Venus blazes to the lower left of the pair; all three are in the east-southeast around 5 a.m., an hour before dawn begins.

Wednesday, Nov. 8 – The waning lunar crescent is above Venus in the east-southeast, again around 5 a.m., about one and a half hours before sunrise.

Thursday, Nov. 9 – Spectacular pairing of the lunar crescent and Venus.  Binoculars will show an impressive view of both celestial objects in the same field-of-view.

Friday, Nov. 10 – Orion’s belt stars have risen over the eastern horizon by 8:30 p.m. and the middle of the Summer Triangle – made up of the stars Altair, Deneb, and Vega – are hovering halfway up the sky in the west.  Meanwhile, the Big Dipper is riding low in the north.

Saturday, Nov. 11 – 4 percent illuminated crescent moon (very thin) to the lower left of Spica, the marker star of Virgo, both are far below Venus and near the horizon.  Look to the east-southeast after 5 a.m., binoculars enhance the view.

Sunday, Nov. 12 – Minor meteor shower call the Northern Taurids peaks during this night.  As seen from a dark location, an enhancement of only 5 to 10 meteors per hour over the background rate of meteors which is about the same.