The Night Sky in November

Abstract

THE moon is new on November 3 at 4h and full on November 18 at 8h U.T. On November 20, the moon occults the 3rd magnitude star ζ Tauri, the disappearance as seen from Greenwich taking place at 5h 33m and the reappearance at 6h 28m, On November 21, ν Geminorum (magnitude 4·1) is occulted, the reappearance being observable at Greenwich at Oh 8m. Conjunctions of the moon with the planets occur as follows—Venus on November ld 8h: Jupiter on November 9d 7h: Mars on November 9d 21h: Saturn on November 14d 16h. On November 4, Uranus is in opposition to the sun ; on this date the planet may be located between ∘ Arietis and ω Arietis, stars of about the same apparent magnitude as that of Uranus, which presents a small disk of about 3½"in diameter. Both Jupiter and Mars are low in the early evening sky, but Saturn, southing at about 20h in the middle of the month, is better placed for observation. Venus is a bright morning star and is near Spica (αirginis) on November 6. The variable star Algol (βPersei) is well placed for observation throughout the night. The change in light may be easily seen about 1½ hours before and after the following times: November 10d 2·2h, 12d23·Oh, 15d 19·8h and 30d 3·9h. The Leonid meteors are expected between November 9 and 20, the radiant point being about 10 ° north of the bright star Regulus. The maximum of the Andromedids is due about November 20, the radiant being near γ Andromedae. By midnight in mid-November, the brilliant collection of our winter stars comprising those of the constellation of Orion, preceded by Aldebaran and the Pleiades and followed by Procyon and Sirius, is well above the eastern horizon.