Sky-watchers got a rare treat on November 11, when Mercury glided across the face of the sun, orbiting it. The process took five-and-a-half hours and was visible across the globe. The last time this occurred was in 2016, and we won’t see one again until 2032.
This month’s full moon (November 12) is known as the Full Beaver Moon because this was the time of year to set beaver traps before the swamps and rivers froze. It has also been known as the Frosty Moon and the Hunter’s Moon.
Time for the showers
Two days from now, gear up for the Leonids Meteor Shower. The Leonids is an average shower, producing up to 15 meteors per hour at its peak and occurs annually on November 17 and 18. This shower is unique in that it has a cyclonic peak about every 33 years, where hundreds of meteors per hour can be seen. It last occurred in 2001.
The Leonids is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Tempel-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1865. The shower runs annually from November 6 to 30. This year, it peaks on the night of November 17, and the morning of November 18.
Another aerial spectacle to look out for is the conjunction of Venus and Jupiter, on November 24. The two bright planets (will be visible clearly as there is hardly any moonlight to interfere) will be close to each other in the evening sky. November 26 is a new moon and as always, it is the best time to observe the night sky. Watch out for Mercury on November 28 as it reaches its greatest western elongation of 20.1° from the Sun.
This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky.
Skywatching terms
Gibbous: Referring to the moon or a planet when it is 50% illuminated.
Terminator: The boundary on the moon between sunlight and shadow.
Zenith: The point in the sky directly overhead.
