Astronomical Events in November 2025: The Biggest Supermoon, Comet Lemmon & More
Looking for what’s worth watching in the sky this November? This month has something for everyone – from the biggest Full Moon of the year to fast Leonid meteors and a bright green comet streaking across the sky. Use the free Sky Tonight app to track each event and make every clear evening count.
Contents
- November Celestial Events Calendar: What’s Up in the Sky This Month
- November Moon Events
- Planets in November 2025
- Constellations in November 2025
- Meteor showers in November 2025
- Comets in November 2025
- How to navigate the night sky?
- Bottom line: space events in November 2025
November Celestial Events Calendar: What’s Up in the Sky This Month
Note that we provide the event dates in GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). For your location, the dates may differ due to the different time zones. Learn the exact time and dates of all the events for your time zone with the help of the Sky Tonight app.
- November 2: Venus (mag -3.9) near Spica (mag 1.0), Moon near Saturn (mag 0.8) and Neptune (mag 7.8) 🌟;
- November 5: Super Full Moon 🌟, Southern Taurids’ peak (ZHR = 7);
- November 6: Moon near Aldebaran (mag 0.8) and Uranus (mag 5.6), lunar occultation of the Pleiades (mag 1.6);
- November 8: Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) reaches perihelion 🌟, Comet 210P/Christensen reaches perigee;
- November 9: Mercury (mag 0.3) near Antares (mag 1.1); Mercury goes retrograde;
- November 10: Moon near Pollux (mag 1.2) and Jupiter (mag -2.4) 🌟;
- November 11: Jupiter goes retrograde;
- November 12: Northern Taurids’ peak (ZHR = 5), lunar occultation of Regulus (mag 1.4), Last Quarter Moon;
- November 13: Mercury (mag 1.2) near Mars (mag 1.5);
- November 17: Lunar occultation of Spica (mag 1.0); Leonids’ peak (ZHR = 15) 🌟;
- November 19: Moon near Venus (-3.9);
- November 20: New Moon, Moon near Mercury (mag 6.3);
- November 21: Uranus (mag 5.6) at opposition 🌟, lunar occultation of Antares (mag 1.1), Moon near Mars (mag 1.4), α-Monocerotids’ peak (ZHR = variable);
- November 22: Comet 210P/Christensen reaches perihelion;
- November 24: Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) reaches perigee;
- November 25: Venus (mag -3.9) near Mercury (mag 1.9);
- November 28: First Quarter Moon, Saturn ends retrograde motion, November Orionids’ peak (ZHR = 3);
- November 29: Moon near Saturn (mag 0.9), Mercury ends retrograde motion, lunar occultation of Pluto (mag 14.5);
- November 30: Moon near Neptune (mag 7.8).
*The highlighted events are the outstanding events of the month.
About magnitude: the faintest magnitude for stars and planets visible to the naked eye in cities with moderate light pollution is about 4. Typical amateur binoculars allow you to observe objects with a brightness of 8-10 mag. Small-to-medium telescopes, when used under dark skies, help you see up to 12-13 mag.
November Moon Events
Moon phases in November 2025
- Full Moon: November 5, 13:19 GMT (8:19 a.m. EST)
- Last Quarter: November 12, 05:28 GMT (12:28 a.m. EST)
- New Moon: November 20, 06:47 GMT (1:47 a.m. EST)
- First Quarter: November 28, 06:59 GMT (01:59 a.m. EST)
Did you know that there are eight traditionally recognized Moon phases? The four major phases are the Full Moon, New Moon, First Quarter, and Last Quarter. In between, there are four minor ones: the Waxing Crescent, Waxing Gibbous, Waning Gibbous, and Waning Crescent. The major Moon phases mark specific moments, while the minor phases span about 7.4 days, with the lunar appearance changing gradually over that time.
Track the Moon’s phases using our interactive lunar calendar – perfect for planning your stargazing nights ahead. To check lunar visibility instantly at any time, get the free Sky Tonight app and keep the lunar calendar right in your pocket!
Moon Near Saturn & Neptune – November 2
On the evening of November 2, the Moon, Saturn, and Neptune will form a triangle in the sky. Around 18:00–21:00 local time, look toward the south-southwestern sky (or north-northeast if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere) to see this alignment in the constellations Aquarius and Pisces. The nearly full Moon will dominate the scene; Saturn, glowing golden at a magnitude of 0.8, will be visible to the naked eye just a few degrees away; and Neptune, a faint dot with a magnitude of 7.7, will require binoculars or a telescope to spot.
Read more: Moon near Saturn and Neptune
The Biggest Full Moon of 2025 – November 5
The Full Moon on November 5, 2025, at 13:19 GMT, will be a Supermoon– and not just any Supermoon, but the biggest and brightest of the year. During this event, the Moon will appear about 8% larger and 16% brighter than an average Full Moon. This happens because the Full Moon occurs near perigee – the point in the Moon's orbit closest to Earth.
Although the difference in size may be hard to notice with the naked eye, the November Supermoon will still be a breathtaking sight, glowing high in the sky. Step outside just after moonrise to see it at its most impressive – the Moon illusion will make it look larger near the horizon.
Interestingly, this Full Moon doesn’t bear the usual November name “Beaver Moon.” Instead, it’s called the Hunter’s Moon, following October’s Harvest Moon. To learn more about the meaning behind this Full Moon’s name and its other special features, check out our detailed November Full Moon guide.
Read more: November Full Moon
Moon Near Jupiter & Pollux – November 10
On the night of November 10, the waning gibbous Moon will pass close to Jupiter (mag -2.4) in the constellation Gemini. If you look just north of them, you'll see the famous twin stars Castor and Pollux, which mark the heads of the Twins. Pollux is the brighter of the two. The Beehive Cluster (M44) will also be in the same area of the sky (about 13° apart), though the Moon’s bright glare will hide most of the cluster’s faint stars from view without a telescope. The grouping will climb higher through the night and remain visible until dawn. Look for the objects above the eastern horizon starting in the evening. They will reach the highest point in the sky about 4 a.m. local time.
Read more: Moon Near Jupiter & Pollux
New Moon – November 20
The New Moon occurs on November 20 at 06:47 GMT, bringing the darkest night of the month – perfect for stargazing. It’s your best chance to spot some of the most stunning November deep-sky objects like the Pleiades, the Hyades, and the Andromeda Galaxy. Also, the Leonid meteor shower peaks 3 days before, and on the night of November 19-20, is expected to have increased activity, so you might also catch a few “shooting stars” on a perfectly dark sky!
Read more: November Deep-Sky Objects, Leonid Meteor Shower
Planets in November 2025
Planets Visible in the Northern Hemisphere – November 2025
Mercury (Libra): Hard to see in the evenings on the western horizon at the beginning of November, appears low above the southeastern horizon at dawn by the end of the month. Mercury shifts from direct to retrograde motion on November 9, then passes inferior conjunction with the Sun on November 20, moving into the morning sky. By November 29, it resumes direct motion. Its brightness changes dramatically, fading from magnitude −0.2 to 6.5 by mid-month, then recovering to 0.2 by the month’s end.
Venus (Virgo, Libra): Shines as the brilliant “Morning Star” low above the southeastern horizon before sunrise. Maintains a steady magnitude −3.9, remaining the brightest planet in the sky and easily visible to the naked eye.
Mars (Libra, Scorpius, Ophiuchus): Visible in the southwest after sunset, low on the horizon. Mars slowly brightens from magnitude 1.5 to 1.3 during the month, but remains a subtle target due to its low position.
Jupiter (Gemini): Dominates the night and early‑morning skies throughout November. Begins the month at magnitude −2.3 and brightens slightly to −2.5. An excellent target for observation.
Saturn (Aquarius): Visible in the evening and early‑night hours. Gradually dims from magnitude 0.9 to 1.1 by month’s end. Its famous rings are still almost edge-on, visible as a thin line through a telescope.
Uranus (Taurus): Visible all night long and reaches opposition on November 21, offering the best viewing conditions of the year. Shines steadily at magnitude 5.6. Can potentially be glimpsed with the naked eye under very dark skies, but is more easily observed with binoculars.
Neptune (Pisces): Observable in the evening and night sky. Its brightness slightly decreases from magnitude 7.8 to 7.9. Requires strong binoculars or, preferably, a telescope for observation.
Planets Visible in the Southern Hemisphere – November 2025
Mercury (Libra): Visible low in the western sky after sunset during early and mid‑November. On November 9, Mercury switches from direct to retrograde motion. It reaches inferior conjunction with the Sun on November 20, transitioning to the morning sky. By November 29, it resumes direct motion. Mercury’s brightness changes dramatically, fading from magnitude −0.2 to 6.5 by mid-month, then recovering to 0.2 by the month’s end.
Venus (Virgo, Libra): Appears in the morning sky at dawn early in the month, low above the eastern horizon. Shines at a magnitude of −3.9, making it the brightest planet and easy to see with the naked eye.
Mars (Libra, Scorpius, Ophiuchus): Visible in the southwest after sunset, low on the horizon. Mars slowly brightens from magnitude 1.5 to 1.3 during the month, but remains a subtle target due to its low position and modest brightness.
Jupiter (Gemini): Visible in the morning during the first half of the month and throughout the night by late November. Begins the month at magnitude −2.3 and brightens slightly to −2.5, making it an excellent target for observation.
Saturn (Aquarius): Well-placed in the evening and night sky during the first half of the month; visible in the early evening later in November. Its brightness drops slightly from magnitude 0.9 to 1.1. Saturn’s famous rings remain nearly edge-on and appear as a thin line through telescopes.
Uranus (Taurus): Visible in the morning and night skies early in the month and all night long by mid- and late November. Reaches opposition on November 21, providing the best observing conditions of the year. Shines steadily at a magnitude of 5.6 – possibly visible to the naked eye under dark skies, but best seen with binoculars.
Neptune (Pisces): Remains visible in the evening and night sky. Its brightness decreases slightly from magnitude 7.8 to 7.9. A telescope or strong binoculars are needed for observation.
Mercury’s Retrograde Loop (November 9 – November 29)
In November, Mercury completes an entire retrograde cycle. On November 9, it begins its apparent retrograde motion, moving westward against the background of stars. After reaching inferior conjunction with the Sun on November 20, it shifts into the morning sky. Then, on November 29, it appears to resume its usual direct (eastward) motion.
This “backward” motion is only an optical illusion. In reality, Mercury’s orbit doesn’t reverse – the effect occurs because Mercury, orbiting the Sun faster than Earth, overtakes us in its orbit. If you have a hard time visualizing that, don’t worry – check out our short Instagram video that pictures Mercury’s retrograde motion clearly (and quite impressively)!
You won’t notice retrograde motion in a single observing session – it reveals itself gradually over several nights. However, you can easily track it using the analemma feature in the Sky Tonight app, which shows Mercury’s apparent path across the sky throughout the month.
Read more: What Is Retrograde Motion?
Uranus Opposition – November 21
On November 21, Uranus will reach opposition, meaning it will appear directly opposite the Sun in the sky as seen from Earth. On that date, Uranus will rise in the east at sunset, stay high in the sky around midnight, and set in the west at sunrise. Around the time of opposition, Uranus will also be at its closest approach to Earth for the year, about 18.5 astronomical units away, and will shine at its maximum brightness at a magnitude of 5.6 in the constellation Taurus.
Uranus may be just barely visible to the naked eye under dark skies, but it’s best observed with binoculars or a telescope. With a moderate telescope, viewers might even spot up to four of Uranus’s largest moons: Titania, Oberon, Umbriel, and Ariel. The planet's disk will also appear slightly larger than usual, measuring 3.7 arcseconds across.
Read more: What Is Opposition in Astronomy?
Constellations in November 2025
In the Northern Hemisphere, November is a great time to see the prominent constellations Cassiopeia, Andromeda, and Pisces, as well as the less prominent Cepheus.
In the Southern Hemisphere, November offers a chance to see several smaller constellations like Sculptor, Phoenix, Tucana, and Hydrus, which are well-positioned. This is also the best time to view Cetus, one of the largest constellations in the sky, as it rises high in the evening.
If you're having trouble finding constellations, use the Sky Tonight app. Simply type in the name of the constellation you want, tap the target icon, and the app will show you its location based on where you are. Need more details? Tap on the name to learn more about it.
Read more: November Constellations
Meteor showers in November 2025
Five meteor showers will reach their peaks this month. Those are the Southern Taurids, Northern Taurids, Leonids, Alpha Monocerotids, and November Orionids, where the most prolific one is the Leonid meteor shower.
Two streams of the Taurid meteor shower – the Southern and Northern Taurids – will be visible in November. The Southern Taurids will peak around November 4–5, bringing up to 7 meteors per hour, though visibility may be hindered by the bright Full Moon. A week later, the Northern Taurids reach their peak on November 11–12, producing up to 5 meteors per hour. The Last Quarter Moon will provide darker skies and better viewing conditions.
While the Taurids aren’t prolific, they are famous for delivering occasional fireballs: extremely bright meteors that light up the sky. This year is also a Taurid swarm year, a rare occurrence that happens when Earth passes through a denser trail of larger meteoroids influenced by a 7:2 orbital resonance with Jupiter. This means that you might see more meteors and bright fireballs than normal, especially around November 3.
The true highlight of November 2025 is the Leonid meteor shower, which peaks on the night of November 17–18. Viewing conditions are excellent this year because the peak occurs just three days before the New Moon, ensuring dark skies. The Leonids are expected to produce around 15–20 meteors per hour at their peak. Additional bursts of activity may occur on November 14 at 16:37 GMT and between 23:53 and 00:54 GMT on November 18-19. Keep an eye on the sky during this period – the Leonids are known for their fast, bright meteors and occasional spectacular outbursts.
The Alpha Monocerotids and November Orionids are minor meteor showers that occur later in the month. The Alpha Monocerotids peak on November 21–22 with a variable rate of meteors, while the November Orionids peak on November 27–28, producing up to 3 meteors per hour.
Get some top tips on how to successfully observe meteor showers in our dedicated article, then test your knowledge with the meteor shower quiz!
Comets in November 2025
This November, several comets reach their closest points to the Sun or Earth:
- November 8: Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) reaches perihelion (mag 4.6), Comet 210P/Christensen reaches perigee (mag 10.4);
- November 22: Comet 210P/Christensen reaches perihelion (mag 10.4);
- November 24: Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) reaches perigee (mag 11).
The most exciting one is Comet Lemmon, which may be visible to the naked eye! Now, let's discuss it in more detail.
Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) at Perihelion – November 8
Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) is shaping up to be the best comet of 2025!
On November 8, 2025, Comet Lemmon will reach perihelion, passing just 0.53 AU from the Sun. The comet will shine at around magnitude 5, making it visible through binoculars and even to the naked eye under dark, clear skies.
In early November, Comet Lemmon is best seen in the Northern Hemisphere. Starting mid-November, the observers in the Southern Hemisphere will have their turn as the comet shifts into their skies. Keep watching – the comet's brightness and visibility may change quickly as it passes near the Sun.
Read more: Comet Lemmon
How to navigate the night sky?
One of the easiest ways to find celestial objects in the sky is to use the Sky Tonight astronomy app. It is an interactive map of your sky on your device, overlaid on the real image of the sky. Its database contains thousands of celestial objects — stars, planets, comets, galaxies, nebulae, and more. Best of all, they are all free.
Just open the Sky Tonight app and point your device (phone or tablet) at the sky to activate live mode. Tap on any object you're interested in to see its name. Tap again to get more information about it. The app also includes a handy astronomy calendar so you can plan your observations in advance! Watch our tutorial to learn how it works.
Bottom line: space events in November 2025
In November, skywatchers can enjoy the biggest Full Moon of the year, the Leonids’ bright meteors (and maybe also the Taurids’ swarm!), beautiful Moon–planet encounters, and Comet Lemmon – the best comet of the year. Use the free Sky Tonight app to plan and track every event, and turn each clear night into an adventure.
Happy stargazing!
