Constellations in November: 6 to Find in the Night Sky
Six of the best constellations to see in November are Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Pisces, Sculptor, Phoenix, and Tucana. November evenings around 21:00 local time are a good starting point for observing them. Cassiopeia, Andromeda, and Pisces favor northern observers, while Sculptor, Phoenix, and Tucana are better placed in the Southern Hemisphere. To find any of them from your location, open the free Star Walk 2 app, enter the constellation’s name in the search field, and follow the arrow on the sky map.
Contents
- November Constellations: Quick Reference
- How to Find the Six November Constellations
- Tips for Observing Constellations in November
- November Night Sky Events in 2026
- November Constellations: Frequently Asked Questions
- Best November Constellations and Stars: Bottom Line
November Constellations: Quick Reference
These six constellations are well placed on November evenings. Around 21:00 local time is a useful starting point, although the best viewing time varies with the date and observing location.
The constellation descriptions below use these approximate ease-of-recognition ratings:
- ☆☆☆ — bright and relatively easy to recognize.
- ☆☆ — moderately bright; visible with some effort.
- ☆ — faint; best seen under dark skies.
| Constellation | Visibility | Brightest star | How to find it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cassiopeia | 90°N–20°S | Schedar | Find the distinctive W-shaped star pattern. |
| Andromeda | 90°N–40°S | Alpheratz | Look between Cassiopeia and the Great Square of Pegasus. |
| Pisces | 90°N–55°S | Alpherg | Find the faint Circlet near the Great Square of Pegasus. |
| Sculptor | 40°N–90°S | Alpha Sculptoris | Use bright Fomalhaut in Piscis Austrinus. |
| Phoenix | 30°N–90°S | Ankaa | Use bright Achernar in Eridanus. |
| Tucana | 15°N–90°S | Alpha Tucanae | Look for the Small Magellanic Cloud. |
The latitude ranges are approximate and refer to the practical visibility of each constellation’s main pattern. Near the limits, some stars remain very low and difficult to see. Individual stars may be visible beyond these ranges.
How to Find the Six November Constellations
The six constellations offer different observing challenges. Cassiopeia is easy to recognize by its bright stars, while Pisces and the southern constellations require darker skies. The following descriptions explain where to find each constellation and what deep-sky objects to look for.
Cassiopeia
Cassiopeia is a prominent northern constellation whose five brightest stars form a recognizable W-shaped pattern.
- Ease of recognition: ☆☆☆
- Visibility range: 90°N–20°S
- Brightest stars: Schedar (mag 2.2), Gamma Cassiopeiae (mag 1.6–3.0, variable)
- Notable deep-sky objects: White Rose Cluster (NGC 7789, mag 6.7), Owl Cluster (NGC 457, mag 6.4)
How to find Cassiopeia in November
Cassiopeia lies on the opposite side of Polaris from the Big Dipper, making these star patterns useful landmarks for navigating the northern sky.
From the Northern Hemisphere, Cassiopeia appears high in the northern sky on November evenings. At mid-northern latitudes, its main W-shaped pattern is circumpolar, meaning it never sets below the horizon. When Cassiopeia is high in the sky, the Big Dipper is generally low, and vice versa.
From the Southern Hemisphere, Cassiopeia appears progressively lower the farther south you go. Near the equator, its W-shaped pattern is still visible in the northern sky. Around 20°S, it stays very low, making a clear northern horizon essential.
Cassiopeia also contains several star clusters worth observing. With binoculars or a small telescope, you can explore the Owl Cluster (NGC 457), whose brightest stars resemble a pair of eyes. The White Rose Cluster (NGC 7789) is another target, appearing as a dense gathering of faint stars through a telescope.
Cassiopeia: mythology
In Greek mythology, Cassiopeia was a vain queen who boasted that she or her daughter, Andromeda, was more beautiful than the sea nymphs known as the Nereids. Her pride angered Poseidon, the god of the sea, who sent the monster Cetus to ravage her kingdom.
As punishment for her arrogance, Cassiopeia was placed among the stars, seated on her celestial throne. As the constellation circles the north celestial pole, the queen appears to turn upside down — a reminder of her vanity.
Andromeda
Andromeda is a northern constellation best known for containing the Andromeda Galaxy, one of the most distant objects visible to the naked eye.
- Ease of recognition: ☆☆
- Visibility range: 90°N–40°S
- Brightest stars: Alpheratz and Mirach (both about mag 2.1)
- Notable deep-sky object: Andromeda Galaxy (M31, mag 3.4)
How to find Andromeda in November
Andromeda lies between Cassiopeia and the Great Square of Pegasus. Its brightest star, Alpheratz, marks one corner of the Great Square and provides a convenient starting point for tracing the constellation.
From mid-northern latitudes, Andromeda appears high in the sky on November evenings and may pass nearly overhead. Find the Great Square of Pegasus, then follow the chain of stars extending from Alpheratz toward the main pattern of Andromeda.
From the Southern Hemisphere, Andromeda is visible toward the northern part of the sky. It is well placed for observers near the equator but appears progressively lower at higher southern latitudes. From far-southern locations, only part of the constellation may be visible.
Andromeda’s main attraction is the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), the nearest major galaxy to our Milky Way. To find it, locate Mirach in Andromeda, then follow the short chain of fainter stars leading toward the galaxy.
Under dark skies, M31 appears as a faint, elongated patch of light. Its glow comes from billions of stars whose light has traveled about 2.5 million years to reach Earth. This makes the Andromeda Galaxy one of the most distant objects visible without optical equipment.
The Andromeda Galaxy is also among the easiest deep-sky objects in the Northern Hemisphere for beginners. Explore our infographic to discover more galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters that can be observed with binoculars or even the naked eye.
Andromeda: mythology
In Greek mythology, Andromeda was the daughter of King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia. After Cassiopeia angered Poseidon, an oracle declared that the kingdom could only be saved by sacrificing Andromeda to the sea monster Cetus.
Andromeda was chained to a rock by the sea and left for the monster. The hero Perseus spotted her and came to her rescue. In different versions of the myth, he defeated Cetus with his sword or turned it to stone using Medusa’s severed head.
Perseus freed Andromeda, and the two later married. Their story is represented in the night sky by the neighboring constellations Andromeda, Perseus, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, and Cetus.
Pisces
Pisces is a large but faint zodiac constellation. Its main stars form two fish connected by long chains of dim stars.
- Ease of recognition: ☆
- Visibility range: 90°N–55°S
- Brightest star: Alpherg (Eta Piscium, mag 3.6)
- Notable deep-sky object: Phantom Galaxy (M74, mag 9.5)
How to find Pisces in November
Pisces is difficult to recognize under light-polluted skies because none of its stars are particularly bright. A dark observing location makes its main pattern easier to trace.
Start with the Great Square of Pegasus. Near the Square, look for the Circlet of Pisces, a small, roughly oval pattern of seven faint stars marking the Western Fish.
The brightest star in the Circlet is Gamma Piscium (mag 3.7). The brightest star in the entire constellation is Alpherg (Eta Piscium, mag 3.6), which lies outside the Circlet.
From the Circlet, trace a long chain of faint stars toward Alrescha (Alpha Piscium), where the cords connecting the two fish meet. Another chain extends from Alrescha toward the Eastern Fish. Together, these patterns form a broad V shape.
From the Northern Hemisphere, Pisces is well placed in the southern part of the sky on November evenings. Its faint stars can be difficult to distinguish under light pollution, even when the constellation is high above the horizon.
From the Southern Hemisphere, Pisces appears toward the northern part of the sky. It can climb fairly high from low and mid-southern latitudes but becomes harder to observe farther south.
Pisces contains the Phantom Galaxy (M74), a face-on spiral galaxy with an apparent magnitude of about 9.5. Its low surface brightness makes it a challenging target. Under dark skies, a telescope can reveal its faint, hazy glow, while observing the spiral arms requires larger equipment and favorable conditions.
Pisces: mythology
According to Greek mythology, the goddess Aphrodite and her son Eros were fleeing the monster Typhon. To escape, they transformed themselves into fish and jumped into the Euphrates River.
In one version of the story, they tied themselves together with a cord so they wouldn’t be separated by the current. The constellation Pisces represents the two fish connected by a ribbon, commemorating their escape.
Sculptor
Sculptor is a faint southern constellation located between Aquarius and Phoenix. Its stars are difficult to recognize without a dark sky.
- Ease of recognition: ☆
- Visibility range: 40°N–90°S
- Brightest star: Alpha Sculptoris (mag 4.3)
- Notable deep-sky object: Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253, mag 8.0), String of Pearls Galaxy (NGC 55, mag 7.8)
How to find Sculptor in November
Sculptor has no prominent naked-eye pattern. Its three brightest stars, all around magnitude 4, form a loose triangle that can be difficult to recognize under light-polluted skies.
Sculptor occupies a faint region south of Cetus. Bright Fomalhaut in neighboring Piscis Austrinus is a useful starting point.
From the Northern Hemisphere, Sculptor appears low above the southern horizon on November evenings. At mid-northern latitudes, a clear, unobstructed horizon and dark skies are important for observing its stars.
From the Southern Hemisphere, Sculptor climbs much higher and may pass nearly overhead from mid-southern latitudes. Its faint stars are easier to distinguish when the constellation is high in the sky.
Sculptor contains the Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253), which appears as an elongated patch of light through binoculars under dark skies. Another target is NGC 55, also known as the String of Pearls Galaxy.
Sculptor: mythology
Unlike the ancient Greek constellations, Sculptor has no traditional mythology. It was introduced by French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in the 18th century.
Lacaille originally named it L’Atelier du Sculpteur, meaning “the Sculptor’s Workshop.” The name was later shortened to Sculptor. Like several other constellations introduced by Lacaille, it represents a human profession rather than a mythological figure.
Phoenix
Phoenix is a southern constellation whose brightest star, Ankaa, is a useful landmark for finding its fainter stars.
- Ease of recognition: ☆
- Visibility range: 30°N–90°S
- Brightest star: Ankaa (mag 2.4)
- Notable deep-sky object: IC 5328 (mag 11.0)
How to find Phoenix in November
Phoenix is best recognized by Ankaa, its brightest star, which forms part of a faint, kite-like pattern.
A useful starting point is Achernar (mag 0.4), the bright star at the southern end of Eridanus. Phoenix lies near Achernar, between Sculptor and Grus.
From the Southern Hemisphere, Phoenix appears high in the sky on November evenings. Ankaa is relatively easy to spot, but the constellation’s other main stars are much fainter and require darker conditions to trace.
From latitudes around 30°N, Phoenix remains low above the southern horizon. Farther north, its main pattern is generally out of view.
Phoenix contains several faint galaxies, including IC 5328, an elliptical galaxy with an apparent magnitude of about 11. A telescope is required to observe it.
Phoenix: mythology
Phoenix takes its name from the legendary bird that is reborn from its own ashes. In ancient mythology, the phoenix symbolizes renewal and immortality.
The constellation belongs to a group of southern bird constellations that also includes Grus, Pavo, Tucana, and Apus.
Phoenix was introduced in the late 16th century. Dutch cartographer Petrus Plancius included it on a celestial globe based on observations by navigators Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman. It later appeared in Johann Bayer’s star atlas Uranometria in 1603.
Tucana
Tucana is a southern constellation notable for containing the Small Magellanic Cloud and the globular cluster 47 Tucanae.
- Ease of recognition: ☆
- Visibility range: 15°N–90°S
- Brightest star: Alpha Tucanae (mag 2.8)
- Notable deep-sky objects: Small Magellanic Cloud (mag 2.7), 47 Tucanae (NGC 104, mag 4.0)
How to find Tucana in November
Tucana lies deep in the southern sky, near the south celestial pole. From latitudes around 35°S and farther south, its main pattern is circumpolar, meaning it remains above the horizon throughout the year. November evenings offer favorable conditions for observing it.
From the Southern Hemisphere, look for a relatively faint group of stars near the south celestial pole. Although Tucana’s individual stars are not especially bright, two prominent deep-sky objects help locate the constellation.
The first is the Small Magellanic Cloud, a nearby dwarf galaxy that appears as a faint, misty patch under dark skies. The second is 47 Tucanae (NGC 104), one of the brightest globular star clusters in the night sky. It appears as a fuzzy spot to the naked eye and becomes more impressive through binoculars or a telescope.
Both objects lie in the southern region of Tucana and are particularly well placed for observers in Australia, southern Africa, and southern South America.
From the Northern Hemisphere, Tucana is generally invisible. Only observers near the equator, south of about 15°N, may catch part of the constellation very low above the southern horizon.
Tucana: mythology
Tucana represents a toucan, a tropical bird known for its large, colorful bill.
Like Phoenix, Tucana is a relatively modern constellation introduced by Petrus Plancius in the late 16th century. Its creation was based on observations by Dutch navigators Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman.
Rather than depicting a figure from ancient mythology, Tucana reflects the interest in exotic wildlife encountered during early European voyages to the Southern Hemisphere.
Tips for Observing Constellations in November
The best conditions for observing faint constellations are a dark, clear sky, little moonlight, and a location with an unobstructed horizon. Binoculars can help reveal stars and deep-sky objects that are difficult to distinguish with the naked eye.
- Best time: Observe after the sky becomes fully dark, ideally around 21:00–22:00 local time. The exact position of each constellation depends on the date and observing location.
- Moon phase: Choose nights near the New Moon on November 9, 2026, at 07:02 UTC. The nights around November 7–11 offer favorable conditions for spotting faint constellations and deep-sky objects. Check the Moon’s phase in our Moon calendar.
- Location: Find a dark observing site away from light pollution. A clear southern horizon is especially important for northern observers searching for Sculptor and Phoenix.
- Dark adaptation: Give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Avoid bright phone screens or use a red-screen mode to preserve your night vision.
- Equipment: The bright stars of Cassiopeia and Andromeda are visible to the naked eye. Binoculars can help reveal fainter stars in Pisces, Sculptor, Phoenix, and Tucana. They are also useful for observing bright deep-sky objects such as the Andromeda Galaxy and 47 Tucanae.
- Sky map: Use Star Walk 2 to locate constellations from your observing site. Enter the constellation’s name in the search field, select it, and follow the arrow on the sky map.
Want to practice finding constellations without an app? Our infographic on seven easy-to-find constellations shows how to use familiar star patterns as landmarks.
November Night Sky Events in 2026
November 2026 offers several astronomical events alongside its prominent constellations. The New Moon on November 9 creates dark observing conditions, while two Taurid meteor showers and the Leonids provide opportunities to watch shooting stars.
Meteor-shower rates are estimates for ideal conditions, with the radiant near the zenith and a dark, clear sky. The actual number of meteors depends on the radiant’s altitude, moonlight, and local observing conditions.
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November 4–5, 2026: Southern Taurids peak. The Southern Taurid meteor shower reaches its main maximum under a waning crescent Moon. The International Meteor Organization lists an ideal peak rate of about 5–10 meteors per hour. The shower is known for slow-moving meteors and occasional bright fireballs.
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November 11–12, 2026: Northern Taurids peak. The Northern Taurids reach their maximum under a thin waxing crescent Moon, with little moonlight interference. The International Meteor Organization lists an ideal rate of about five meteors per hour. Like the Southern Taurids, this shower can produce bright fireballs.
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November 13–22, 2026: Four planets line up before sunrise. Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter will be visible in the morning sky. The Northern Hemisphere offers better conditions for observing the complete lineup. From many southern locations, Mercury remains too low for easy viewing. Around November 15–16, Mars and Jupiter will also appear about 1° apart.
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November 17–18, 2026: Leonids peak. The Leonid meteor shower reaches its regular maximum around November 17 at 23:45 UTC, according to the International Meteor Organization. An ideal rate of about 15 meteors per hour is expected. The First Quarter Moon will brighten the early evening, but conditions will improve after moonset.
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November 24, 2026: Beaver Supermoon. The November Full Moon occurs at 14:53 UTC. It is also a supermoon, appearing about 6.5% larger and 13.5% brighter than an average Full Moon. The Moon will shine near the Pleiades star cluster in Taurus, although its glare will make the cluster harder to observe.
For additional observing opportunities, see our astronomy calendar for 2026.
November Constellations: Frequently Asked Questions
Besides the six featured constellations, November offers other recognizable star patterns and celestial sights. Here are a few more objects to look for.
What other constellations are visible in November?
Besides Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Pisces, Sculptor, Phoenix, and Tucana, the November night sky features Pegasus, Perseus, Aries, Taurus, and Cetus. Orion also becomes increasingly prominent later in the evening as the month progresses. Which constellations you can see depends on your location and observing time.
What stars are visible in November?
November evenings offer several bright stars to observe. In the Northern Hemisphere, look for Schedar in Cassiopeia, Alpheratz in Andromeda, and Aldebaran in Taurus. In the Southern Hemisphere, Ankaa in Phoenix and Achernar in Eridanus are useful landmarks. The stars you can see depend on your location and observing time.
Can I see Orion in November?
Yes. Orion becomes increasingly prominent as November progresses. From the Northern Hemisphere, it rises during the evening and is especially well placed later at night and before dawn. The constellation is also visible from much of the Southern Hemisphere. Its three-star Belt makes it easy to recognize.
Can I see the Little Dipper in November?
Yes. The Little Dipper, an asterism in Ursa Minor, is visible year-round from many northern locations, including in November. Its brightest star, Polaris, marks the end of its handle and lies close to the north celestial pole. Most of the Little Dipper’s other stars are faint, so dark skies make it easier to recognize.
Can I see the Milky Way in November?
Yes. The Milky Way is visible in November under dark skies, although the regions on display depend on latitude and observing time. From the Northern Hemisphere, its band passes through Cassiopeia and Perseus on autumn evenings. Southern observers can also see parts of the Milky Way, but its appearance changes with latitude and the time of night.
Best November Constellations and Stars: Bottom Line
Look for Cassiopeia, Andromeda, and Pisces from northern latitudes, or explore Sculptor, Phoenix, and Tucana from the Southern Hemisphere. Choose a dark evening near the November 9 New Moon for the clearest views of faint stars and galaxies. To find a constellation from your location, open Star Walk 2, search for its name, and follow the arrow on the sky map.
