November is an exciting month for stargazers. With a beautiful full moon and the chance to see meteors, there’s a lot on offer.
What to Look For
Full Hunter’s Supermoon
This month, catch the spectacular full moon on November 6. It’s the largest and brightest one of 2025, making it a perfect sight at sunset. Remember to grab your camera!Leonid Meteor Shower
The Leonids will light up the sky from the night of November 20 into the morning of November 21. Under dark skies, you might see 10 to 15 meteors each hour. Best viewing time is from 1 a.m. to dawn.Star of November: Capella
Look northeast in the evenings to find Capella. This bright star signals the coming winter and twinkles beautifully as it rises.
Key Positions in the Sky
The Summer Triangle will start to sink into the western horizon, while the Winter Milky Way will become visible in the southeast. If you want to take pictures, use a tripod for stability.
The constellation Pegasus, known as the “Great Square,” will easily greet you in the eastern sky after dark. Nearby, you’ll find the Andromeda Galaxy, our closest galactic neighbor. It’s about 2.5 million light-years away, and stunningly, you can often spot it with just your eyes on a clear night.
Planetary Highlights
- Mercury: Best seen in the Southern Hemisphere at dusk.
- Venus: Low on the eastern horizon before dawn, but will soon be hard to spot.
- Mars: Currently hidden in the sun’s glare at dusk.
- Jupiter: A bright sight rising in the northeast during evening hours.
- Saturn: High in the southeast; a telescope will reveal its stunning rings.
- Uranus and Neptune: These planets require a telescope for a decent view.
Local Events in D.C.
Shenandoah National Park offers dark skies and “Let’s Talk About Space” events in November.
Check out local astronomy clubs, like NOVAC and the National Capital Astronomers, for gatherings and stargazing nights.
Fun Facts
Did you know? The light from the Andromeda Galaxy that you see tonight left the galaxy when our ancestors were just beginning to walk upright.
For those interested in astronomy, NASA offers great resources. Check out NASA’s 2025 Science Calendar for stunning images and insights about future space events.
So, whether you’re looking up tonight or planning a trip to a dark sky area, there’s plenty to admire in the heavens this November. Happy stargazing!
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