November Astronomical Events: What’s in the Night Sky This Month
Don't miss these exciting November celestial events in 2026! Four planets will line up before dawn, Mars and Jupiter will form a striking triangle with a bright star, and the Leonid meteor shower will light up the night sky. The month also brings the first Supermoon since January 2026, a beautiful triangle of the Moon and two reddish stars, and even a challenge to spot four galaxies in a single night!
Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, there’s plenty to see. In this guide, you’ll find the best viewing dates, planet visibility, Moon phases, and stargazing tips for both hemispheres. Want to know exactly what you can see from your location? The Sky Tonight app will help you find every event in your sky.
Contents
- Best Astronomical Events This Month: November 2026
- November Celestial Events Calendar
- Moon Events This Month: November 2026
- Astronomical Events in November 2026: Planets
- Astronomical Events in November 2026: Constellations and Stars
- Astronomical Events in November 2026: Meteor Showers
- Astronomical Events in November 2026: Deep-Sky Objects
- Space Events in November: Important Dates in Astronomy and Space History
- November Astronomical Events: To Sum Up
Best Astronomical Events This Month: November 2026
- November 13–22 — Four-planet parade: Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter will line up across the morning sky, and all four are bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. You’ll need to get up before sunrise to catch them — but when has that ever stopped a true stargazer? The view will be especially good from the Northern Hemisphere, with Mercury easiest to spot around November 20–22.
- November 17–18 — Leonids meteor shower peak: November’s most famous meteor shower returns, bringing up to 15 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. The Leonids are known for their fast meteors and spectacular historical storms, including the legendary one in 1966. This year, the Moon will set around midnight, leaving darker skies for the best pre-dawn observing hours.
- November 22 — Mars, Jupiter, and Regulus form a triangle: Look up before dawn to spot a compact triangle made of three bright celestial objects: reddish Mars, brilliant Jupiter, and the star Regulus. The triangle will measure just a few degrees across, and all three points will be easily visible to the naked eye.
- November 24 — Full Beaver Supermoon: November’s Full Moon will be a Supermoon, appearing slightly larger and brighter than an average Full Moon. Traditionally known as the Beaver Moon, it will be especially beautiful around moonrise, when the Moon appears unusually large near the horizon.
- November 25–26 — Moon, Aldebaran, and Betelgeuse form a triangle: The nearly Full Moon will join two famous reddish stars — Aldebaran in Taurus and Betelgeuse in Orion — to create a large, nearly equilateral triangle in the sky. Spanning about 20°, this striking pattern will be easy to enjoy without any special equipment.
November Celestial Events Calendar
Note that we provide the event dates in UTC+0. 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.
The Visibility column shows how easy each event is to observe:
- 🟢 Good — easy to spot with the naked eye under normal conditions
- 🟡 Moderate — visible, but may require some experience or optical aid
- 🔴 Poor — difficult to observe because of poor viewing conditions
- ⚫ Not visible — the event can’t be observed visually
Click the linked events to open separate guides with more details.
¹For retrograde motion, “Not visible” refers to the event itself: even if the planet is visible, retrograde motion can’t be noticed at a glance — you need to track a planet’s position over several nights to see the change.
Want to know what’s visible tonight or plan your stargazing week? Check our weekly night sky guide for the best stargazing events happening right now.
Moon Events This Month: November 2026
November brings a special treat for Moon watchers: the first Supermoon since January 2026! But there’s more to the lunar calendar than just the Full Moon. Let’s explore November’s Moon phases and find out when to enjoy the Moon itself — and when to take advantage of dark, moonless skies.
November 24: Full Beaver Supermoon
On November 24, 2026, at 14:53 UTC, the Full Moon will occur in the constellation Taurus. November’s Full Moon is traditionally called the Beaver Moon. The name comes from the time of year when beavers finish building their dams and lodges for winter. It was also the season when hunters traditionally set traps for beavers before rivers and swamps froze.
This Full Moon will also be a Supermoon — the first since January 2026! It will appear about 6.5% larger and 13.5% brighter than an average Full Moon because it will be closer to Earth than usual. The difference may be hard to notice with the naked eye, but the Moon will still be a beautiful sight, especially around moonrise.
Read more: Full Moon in November 2026
Moon phases in November 2026
- Last Quarter Moon: November 1, 20:28 UTC
- New Moon: November 9, 07:02 UTC
- First Quarter Moon: November 17, 11:48 UTC
- Full Moon: November 24, 14:53 UTC
| Date | Moon phase | Moon visibility |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 1 | Last Quarter Moon | Best seen in the morning. Through a telescope, you can explore lunar craters and mountains along the terminator — the boundary between light and shadow. |
| Nov 9 | New Moon | The Moon won’t be visible, making this the best time of the month to observe faint galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. |
| Nov 17 | First Quarter Moon | Best seen in the evening. The half-lit Moon is a great target for binoculars or a telescope. |
| Nov 24 | Full Moon | The Full Beaver Supermoon rises around sunset and remains visible until dawn. Its bright light will make faint stars and deep-sky objects harder to see. |
To check the exact moonrise and moonset times for your location on any date and plan your observations, use our dedicated lunar calendar.
Astronomical Events in November 2026: Planets
Mercury and Venus return as morning objects, Mars and Jupiter draw close together, and Uranus reaches opposition. Around November 13–22, early risers can even try to spot four naked-eye planets before sunrise! Meanwhile, Saturn and Neptune remain visible in the evening.
Learn more: Planets Visible Tonight
Planets in November 2026: Visibility from the Northern Hemisphere
| Planet | Best seen with | When to see | Nov 1–10 | Nov 11–20 | Nov 21–30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Naked eye | Morning | ⚫ Not visible | 🟡 Moderate | 🟡 Moderate |
| Venus | Naked eye | Morning | 🟡 Moderate | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good |
| Mars | Naked eye | Late night/morning | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good |
| Jupiter | Naked eye | Late night/morning | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good |
| Saturn | Naked eye | Evening/night | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good |
| Uranus | Binoculars or telescope | Night | 🟡 Moderate | 🟡 Moderate | 🟡 Moderate |
| Neptune | Telescope | Evening/night | 🟡 Moderate | 🟡 Moderate | 🟡 Moderate |
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Mercury (Virgo, Libra; mag from about 3.3 to −0.7): Mercury starts November hidden in the Sun’s glare but returns to the morning sky around mid-month. Its best visibility comes around November 20, when it reaches its greatest western elongation of 19.6°. The planet also turns direct on November 13 and joins Venus, Mars, and Jupiter in the November 13–22 planetary alignment.
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Venus (Virgo; mag from about −4.2 to −4.9): Venus rapidly climbs higher in the morning sky after its late-October inferior conjunction, becoming a brilliant pre-dawn object. From November 3 to 9, Venus appears close to Spica, with the closest approach occurring on November 9. On November 7, the thin crescent Moon passes very close to Venus, with an occultation visible from some locations. On November 14, Venus turns direct. The planet also takes part in the four-planet alignment on November 13–22.
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Mars (Leo; mag from about 0.9 to 0.5): Mars rises earlier and grows brighter throughout November, becoming an increasingly convenient late-night and morning target. On November 2, the Moon passes close to Mars, with an occultation visible from certain regions. Mars approaches Jupiter on November 16, then forms a compact triangle with Jupiter and Regulus on November 22. On November 25, Mars passes just 1.6° north of Regulus, and on November 30, the Moon returns nearby.
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Jupiter (Leo; mag from about −2.0 to −2.2): Jupiter shines brightly in the late-night and morning sky, rising earlier each day. On November 2, the Moon passes extremely close to Jupiter, occulting it from some locations. On November 16, Jupiter and Mars reach their minimum angular separation, and on November 22, the two planets join Regulus in a striking triangle. Another close lunar encounter, including an occultation visible from certain regions, occurs on November 30.
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Saturn (Cetus; mag about 0.5 to 0.6): Saturn remains an easy evening target, although it sets progressively earlier as November goes on. The planet is best observed shortly after dark. On November 21, the Moon passes about 6.8° from Saturn, providing a convenient guide to finding the ringed planet.
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Uranus (Taurus; mag about 5.6): Uranus reaches opposition on November 25, when it will be at its brightest and visible throughout the night. However, the Full Moon on November 24 will pass just 5° from the planet, making it difficult to spot even around opposition. For better viewing conditions, observe Uranus around the November 9 New Moon, when the sky will be much darker. Binoculars or a telescope are recommended.
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Neptune (Pisces; mag about 7.7): Neptune remains visible in the evening sky, but its observing window gradually shortens as it sets earlier each night. Optical aid is required; binoculars can reveal Neptune as a faint point of light under dark skies. On November 20, the Moon passes about 4.4° from Neptune, although moonlight will interfere with observations.
Planets in November 2026: Visibility from the Southern Hemisphere
| Planet | Best seen with | When to see | Nov 1–10 | Nov 11–20 | Nov 21–30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Naked eye | Morning | ⚫ Not visible | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Venus | Naked eye | Morning | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Moderate | 🟢 Good |
| Mars | Naked eye | Late night/morning | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good |
| Jupiter | Naked eye | Late night/morning | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good |
| Saturn | Naked eye | Evening/night | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good |
| Uranus | Binoculars or telescope | All night | 🟡 Moderate | 🟡 Moderate | 🟡 Moderate |
| Neptune | Telescope | Evening/night | 🟡 Moderate | 🟡 Moderate | 🟡 Moderate |
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Mercury (Virgo, Libra; mag from about 3.3 to −0.7): Mercury returns to the morning sky after its November 4 inferior conjunction, but observing conditions are challenging at southern mid-latitudes. Even around its greatest western elongation on November 20, the planet remains low in the brightening twilight. Observers closer to the equator have a better chance of spotting it during the four-planet alignment on November 13–22.
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Venus (Virgo; mag from about −4.2 to −4.9): Venus becomes a brilliant morning object, moving farther from the Sun and growing brighter throughout November. Look for it before sunrise above the eastern horizon. From November 3 to 9, Venus appears close to Spica, with the closest approach occurring on November 9. On November 7, the Moon passes close to Venus, and on November 14, the planet turns direct. Venus also participates in the four-planet alignment on November 13–22.
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Mars (Leo; mag from about 0.9 to 0.5): Mars becomes more prominent in the second half of the night as it rises earlier and brightens. The Moon passes close to Mars on November 2, followed by a close approach with Jupiter on November 16. On November 22, Mars, Jupiter, and Regulus form a compact triangle, and Mars passes particularly close to Regulus on November 25. Another lunar encounter occurs on November 30.
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Jupiter (Leo; mag from about −2.0 to −2.2): Jupiter remains a bright and easy target in the morning sky, gradually becoming visible earlier in the night. The Moon approaches Jupiter on November 2, while Mars passes close to it on November 16. On November 22, Jupiter joins Mars and Regulus in a small celestial triangle. The Moon makes another close approach on November 30.
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Saturn (Cetus; mag about 0.5 to 0.6): Saturn is well placed in the evening sky, although its observing window becomes shorter toward the end of November. Look for it after sunset and, if you have a telescope, enjoy the view of its rings. On November 21, the Moon passes about 6.8° from Saturn.
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Uranus (Taurus; mag about 5.6): Uranus reaches opposition on November 25, becoming visible throughout the night. However, because the planet lies far north of the celestial equator, it appears lower in the sky for observers at southern latitudes. Binoculars or a telescope are recommended. The nearly Full Moon passes close to Uranus on November 24.
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Neptune (Pisces; mag about 7.7): Neptune is visible in the evening and early nighttime sky, gradually setting earlier throughout November. Southern observers have good opportunities to observe the planet with a telescope, especially under dark skies. On November 20, the Moon passes nearby, although its brightness will make Neptune harder to detect.
November 13–22: 4-planet alignment
From November 13 to 22, 2026, four planets — Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter — will line up in the morning sky. All four are bright enough to be seen with the naked eye, although Mercury may be difficult to spot in the twilight, especially from southern mid-latitudes. You’ll just have to get up before sunrise — but that’s a small price to pay for seeing four bright planets at once!
The best viewing conditions will be in the Northern Hemisphere. Look toward the eastern part of the sky before sunrise: brilliant Venus and elusive Mercury will appear low near the horizon, while Mars and Jupiter will shine higher up. Mercury will be the trickiest to spot, so choose a location with a clear, unobstructed horizon.
Which date should you choose? It depends on what you want to see:
- November 14: The planets will form a narrow horizontal spread in the sky.
- November 15–16: Mars and Jupiter will appear especially close together, separated by about 1°.
- November 20–22: Mercury will be higher above the horizon and easier to spot.
To find the planets from your exact location, use the Planet Walk feature in the Star Walk 2 app.
Learn more: Planetary Alignment in November 2026
November 22: Mars, Jupiter, and Regulus form a triangle
On November 22, 2026, look toward the constellation Leo before dawn to spot a compact, nearly isosceles triangle formed by Mars (mag 0.6), Jupiter (mag −2.2), and Regulus (mag 1.4). The three bright objects will create a striking pattern, with reddish Mars, brilliant Jupiter, and bluish-white Regulus providing a beautiful contrast of colors.
The triangle will measure just 2.4° along each of its two shorter sides and 3.9° along its base — small enough to fit comfortably within the field of view of most binoculars. You won’t need any optical equipment, though: all three objects will be easily visible to the naked eye. Look for them in Leo in the hours before sunrise; the triangle’s shape will gradually change as the planets move.
Astronomical Events in November 2026: Constellations and Stars
In the Northern Hemisphere, November is a great time to see the prominent constellations Cassiopeia, Andromeda, and Pisces, as well as the fainter 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
November 25–26: Moon, Aldebaran, and Betelgeuse form a triangle
Late on November 25 or before dawn on November 26, 2026, look for a beautiful celestial triangle formed by the nearly Full Moon, Aldebaran (mag 0.9), and Betelgeuse (mag 0.0–1.6). Aldebaran, the orange eye of Taurus, and Betelgeuse, the reddish shoulder of Orion, will form two corners of the triangle, with the bright Moon completing the shape. The triangle will be best enjoyed with the naked eye, and all three objects are bright enough to be seen even from a city.
The three objects will form a large, nearly equilateral triangle, with sides roughly 20° long. That’s about two fist-widths at arm’s length! The exact shape and best observing time depend on your location, so check the configuration in Sky Tonight.
Astronomical Events in November 2026: Meteor Showers
Five meteor showers reach their peaks in November 2026. The Southern and Northern Taurids offer good chances to spot bright, slow-moving meteors under relatively dark skies. The Leonids are the most active shower of the month, while two smaller showers will have to compete with bright moonlight.
| Meteor shower | Peak | Meteors per hour | Visibility | Best seen from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Taurids | November 4–5 | 5–10 | 🟢 Good | Both hemispheres |
| Northern Taurids | November 11–12 | 5 | 🟢 Good | Both hemispheres |
| Leonids | November 17–18 | 15 | 🟢 Good | Both hemispheres |
| Alpha Monocerotids | November 21–22 | Variable | 🔴 Poor | Both hemispheres |
| November Orionids | November 27–28 | 3 | 🔴 Poor | Both hemispheres |
These rates assume a dark sky and the radiant directly overhead; actual counts are usually lower.
Details: November Meteor Showers
November 17–18: Leonid meteor shower
The Leonids are November’s most famous meteor shower, producing up to 15 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. Their meteors are among the fastest, traveling at about 71 km/s! The shower is also famous for its spectacular meteor storms. During the legendary storm of 1966, observers in North America reported thousands of meteors per hour.
In 2026, the Leonids will peak on November 17 at 23:45 UTC. The First Quarter Moon will brighten the evening sky, but it will set around midnight, leaving darker skies for meteor watching. The best time to observe is after midnight and before dawn, when the radiant in Leo climbs higher. No major meteor storm is expected this year.
Learn more: Leonid Meteor Shower 2026
Other meteor showers in November 2026
Four other meteor showers also peak this month:
- November 4–5 — Southern Taurids: Up to 5–10 meteors per hour. Known for slow, bright fireballs, they peak under a thin waning Moon, providing good viewing conditions.
- November 11–12 — Northern Taurids: About 5 meteors per hour. The thin waxing crescent Moon will cause little interference, making this a good time to watch for Taurid fireballs.
- November 21–22 — Alpha Monocerotids: A highly unpredictable shower that has produced spectacular outbursts in the past. However, the bright waxing Moon will make observations difficult this year.
- November 27–28 — November Orionids: A weak shower producing around 3 meteors per hour. The waning gibbous Moon will wash out most faint meteors.
Get some top tips on how to successfully observe meteor showers in our dedicated article, then test your knowledge with the meteor shower quiz!
Astronomical Events in November 2026: Deep-Sky Objects
November offers plenty of deep-sky wonders, from star clusters visible to the naked eye to distant galaxies and colorful nebulae that make excellent astrophotography targets. The best time to observe faint objects is around the New Moon on November 9, when moonlight won’t interfere with the view.
In the Northern Hemisphere, look for the Hyades and Alpha Persei Cluster, two large star clusters that can be seen without a telescope under dark skies. Binoculars will reveal more stars in M34 and M103, both located in Perseus and Cassiopeia, respectively. For a bigger challenge, try photographing the Heart Nebula (IC 1805), a vast cloud of glowing gas in Cassiopeia, or the Phantom Galaxy (M74), a beautiful face-on spiral galaxy in Pisces.
In the Southern Hemisphere, November is a great time to admire the Small Magellanic Cloud and 47 Tucanae, both visible to the naked eye under dark skies. Binoculars will help you find NGC 362, another globular cluster near the Small Magellanic Cloud. If you have a telescope, try NGC 1097, a barred spiral galaxy in Fornax with a bright center and sweeping spiral arms.
Read more: Best Deep-Sky Objects in November
November 6–12: Four-Galaxy Challenge
Here’s a special challenge for our Southern Hemisphere stargazers: can you spot four galaxies in a single night? The nights around the November 9 New Moon offer an excellent opportunity to try, with dark skies and minimal moonlight.
Start with the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds in the southern sky. These two neighboring dwarf galaxies are among the easiest deep-sky objects to spot from the Southern Hemisphere. Under dark skies, they appear as faint, glowing clouds. Next, look for the broad, hazy band of our own Milky Way stretching across the sky.
The final and trickiest target is the Andromeda Galaxy. Look for a faint, elongated patch of light low in the northern sky. Around November 9, look for Andromeda at its highest point late in the evening. The farther south you are, the lower it appears, and it never rises south of about 49°S. For the best chance of completing the challenge, try observing from latitudes between 15°S and 30°S, where Andromeda rises reasonably high while the Magellanic Clouds are also well placed. Choose a location with very dark skies and a clear northern horizon. Binoculars will make Andromeda easier to find, although under excellent conditions all four galaxies can be spotted with the naked eye.
Space Events in November: Important Dates in Astronomy and Space History
November is full of milestones in space exploration and astronomy. Here are five historical events worth remembering this month:
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November 3, 1957 — Laika becomes the first animal to orbit Earth. The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2 with Laika, a stray dog from Moscow, aboard. The mission proved that a living creature could survive the launch into orbit, although Laika herself did not survive the flight. In 2026, we mark the 69th anniversary of this historic mission. Laika was one of many pioneers of space exploration. But do you know who else made history? Find out in our Firsts in Space quiz.
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November 14–19, 1969 — Apollo 12 reaches the Moon. Launched on November 14, Apollo 12 became the second crewed mission to land on the Moon on November 19. Its launch was especially dramatic: lightning struck the Saturn V rocket twice shortly after liftoff! Despite the incident, the astronauts completed a successful lunar landing. And yet, some people still believe the Moon landings were faked. Curious why? We’ve debunked five of the most popular Moon landing myths.
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November 20, 1998 — Construction of the International Space Station begins. The launch of Zarya, the first ISS module, marked the beginning of one of humanity’s most ambitious international space projects. In 2026, we celebrate the 28th anniversary of this historic launch. Discover how it all began with Zarya, and then test your ISS knowledge with our quiz!
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November 21, 1676 — Ole Rømer demonstrates that light has a finite speed. By studying the eclipses of Jupiter’s moon Io, Danish astronomer Ole Rømer showed that light does not travel instantaneously. His groundbreaking discovery laid the foundation for measuring the speed of light. This November marks its 350th anniversary. Get to know Io and Jupiter’s other fascinating moons — who knows, maybe they’ll inspire your own discovery!
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November 29, 1961 — Enos becomes the first chimpanzee to orbit Earth. Aboard the Mercury-Atlas 5 spacecraft, Enos completed two orbits around our planet and returned safely. His successful mission helped pave the way for John Glenn’s historic orbital flight in February 1962.
November Astronomical Events: To Sum Up
November 2026 has something for every stargazer! Early risers can enjoy a parade of four planets and the compact triangle of Mars, Jupiter, and Regulus. Night owls can watch for Leonid meteors, admire the Full Beaver Supermoon, or spot the Moon forming a large triangle with Aldebaran and Betelgeuse.
For the darkest skies, plan your observations around the New Moon on November 9 — especially if you want to explore deep-sky objects or take on the Four-Galaxy Challenge from the Southern Hemisphere. If you prefer bright, easy-to-spot sights, don’t miss the November 24 Supermoon.
Use the Sky Tonight app to find out what’s visible from your location and choose the best time to look up. Clear skies!
