Backyard Stargazer – What to see in the sky in November
By Francis Parnell
Francis Parnell, the Backyard Stargazer of Darlington
For November, there are a number of neat naked-eye or binocular sights for us to observe.
On the 1st, one hour after sunset, spot the waxing lunar crescent 4 degrees lower right of the ringed planet Saturn. On the 2nd, look for the Moon about 8 degrees left of Saturn.
The Moon is just past full on the 13th and is less than 2 degrees from Aldebaran, the glowing red eye of Taurus, the Bull. Aldebaran is 67 light-years away, 44 times the Sun’s diameter, and 160 times the luminosity.
On the morning of the 20th, a thick lunar crescent is about 6 degrees left or lower left of Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, the Lion. Regulus is 79 light-years away, 5 times the diameter, and 150 times the Sun’s luminosity.
Look southwest along the horizon at dusk on the 22nd to find bright white Venus with yellow Jupiter about 5 degrees above it.
About 45 minutes after sunset on the 27th, look low in the southwest to see the lineup of Venus, Jupiter and a very low, very thin crescent Moon. Try to find a clear horizon to get a good view.
At sunset on the 28th, look low in the southwest to find the slim crescent Moon about 2 degrees above Venus with Jupiter 6 degrees lower right of the pair.
On the 29th, a very close pairing, a little more than 1 degree, of the crescent Moon to the lower left of Saturn.
FAST FACT: This time of year you may be thinking about buying a telescope for Christmas. If so, you’ll want a scope that’s not too heavy or difficult to use. If it’s too heavy, you’ll use it once or twice and it ends up in the closet.
My advice: visit the ORION Telescope website at www.telescope.com and click on “How To Choose a Telescope,” then check out the small, portable, easy-to-use telescopes with affordable prices.
Some are computerized and some even have Wi-Fi connections!
With or without a telescope or binoculars, “Keep looking up!”
