Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) was about 44 million miles away from Earth in this photograph from the International Space Station as it orbited 272 miles above the South Pacific Ocean southeast of New Zealand just before sunrise on Sept. 28, 2024. We may be able to see it this month with binoculars. Image: NASA/Matthew Dominick.
Autumn Stars, Planets, Meteors, and (Possibly) a Comet
BY JONATHAN TRUAX, ASTRONOMER, MUSKEGON COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S CARR-FLES PLANETARIUM
November can be a difficult month for star gazing. Nights in November are frequently cloudy here in Michigan, yet the clear nights offer a chance to enjoy the stars of autumn, as well a preview of some of the best stars of winter. Sky watchers will also have opportunities to enjoy four naked eye planets this month, observe a meteor shower, and if predictions hold observe a comet.
About 30 minutes after sunset, sky watchers can locate the brilliant planet Venus low in the southwest near the horizon. The waxing crescent moon this month will be near Venus on the nights of November 3 through the 5th.
As the sky darkens higher in the sky above Venus in the west you might be able to glimpse comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas as a fuzzy star with a faint wispy tail. Use binoculars for the best views.
This month Jupiter is a bright evening “star” seen in the east among the stars of Taurus about an hour after sunset. The waning gibbous moon is near Jupiter the nights of November 16 through the 18th.
Saturn can be located in the south as a yellow “star,” fainter than Jupiter but brighter than most stars among the stars of Aquarius the Water Carrier. The waxing moon will be very near Saturn the nights of November 9 through the 11th.
During the month of November sky watchers can view the red planet Mars. The Earth is rapidly approaching a close encounter with the planet. This month Mars rises in the northeast around 10:30 p.m. local time. Mars is currently among the stars of Gemini the Twins near the two stars Castor and Pollux. The moon waning moon will be very close to Mars the nights of November 20 and 21.
The Leonid meteor shower reaches peak activity during the early morning hours of November 17 and 18. Normally sky watchers can enjoy at least 25 meteors per hour coming from Leo. Meteors will appear in any direction of the sky, but their paths will trace back to Leo. The best time to view the show is between midnight and dawn. This month’s waning moon, which happens to be in Taurus, will interfere with the shower making it difficult to see some of the fainter meteors.
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. through December 12 (closed November 28), a modern retelling of the Christmas story investigates the sky signs that declared the birth of Jesus Christ and caused the Wise Men to travel across the desert from Babylon to Bethlehem at the Carr Fles Planetarium show “Mystery of the Christmas Star.”
As darkness falls after sunset during November, the “Summer Triangle” made of the three bright stars Vega, Altair, and Deneb is high in the west. Low in the west, orange Arcturus, brightest star of summer is still visible.
Looking low on the north horizon, locate the “Big Dipper” formed by the stars of Ursa Major. High in the north, locate the “W” formed by the stars of Cassiopeia. In the northeast, try to find the bright yellow star Capella of Auriga, the charioteer. The winter constellation of Taurus can be seen rising low on the east horizon.
Looking low in the south, locate the bright white star Fomalhaut, of Piscis Austrinus, the only bright star in the south.
About three hours after sunset, the bright constellation of Orion is rising in the east. Look for three bright stars in a row, with two other bright stars above and below. The three stars are the famous “belt” of Orion. Above or northeast of the “belt” is orange-red Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star. The bright blue star below the “belt” is Rigel.
Visit the MCC Carr-Fles Planetarium website for upcoming events and call (231) 777-0289 for sky show information. Carr-Fles Planetarium is located on the Muskegon Community College campus in Room 135. Thanks to the generosity of the Reach for the Stars campaign donors, you can now experience Carr-Fles Planetarium with state-of-the-art digital projection, sound and lighting systems; all-new library of shows; and modern theater seating and domed ceiling.
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