Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 17 hrs ago
November brings a supermoon, meteor showers and planetary alignments
November offers several chances to watch meteor showers and planets in the night sky.
In the early morning, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter will appear lined up, with the best viewing period described as around mid-month.
Mars and Jupiter will also appear close together, joined in the sky by the bright star Regulus.
The Leonids are expected to peak around November 17 or 18, and usually produce about 10 to 15 meteors an hour.
The Beaver full supermoon arrives on November 24; a supermoon occurs when a full moon is near its closest point to Earth.
Southern and Northern Taurid meteor showers are also expected early in the month, though their peak dates vary slightly across forecasts.
Many of these sights are visible without special equipment, but clear skies and a dark spot away from city lights can help.
November 2026 offers a Beaver supermoon, several meteor showers and multiple planetary groupings for skywatchers.
The full moon reaches its peak on November 24 and is described as a supermoon because it occurs near the Moon’s closest point to Earth.
Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter are expected to appear together in the morning sky during part of the month.
The Leonids are forecast to peak around November 18, though sources give slightly different peak dates.
Viewing conditions will depend on location, weather, darkness and the timing of observations.
- Who
- Skywatchers, including observers in Mexico and the Northern Hemisphere.
- What
- November’s sky features include a supermoon, meteor showers and planetary groupings.
- When
- Throughout November 2026, with key events from early to late in the month.
- Where
- In the night and pre-dawn sky; some events are described as especially visible from the Northern Hemisphere.
- Why
- Not stated
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The Southern Taurids are expected to have one of their best periods, with another source placing their peak around November 4.
The Northern Taurids are expected to be active, and one article describes Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter appearing together around this time.
Mars and Jupiter are expected to approach or reach conjunction; the sources give slightly different dates.
The Leonids are forecast to peak around this period, with one source naming November 18 as the predicted peak.
The Beaver supermoon reaches peak illumination, with one source giving 9:50 a.m. EST and another giving 6:02 p.m. in Mexico City.
Comet 161P/Hartley–IRAS is listed as reaching perihelion.
- Supermoon
- November 24, 2026
- Moon distance
- 360,768 kilometers from Earth
- Leonids
- Predicted peak: November 18 in Popular Science
- Leonids rate
- Usually 10 to 15 meteors per hour, according to Popular Science
- Uranus opposition
- November 25
- Comet 161P/Hartley–IRAS
- Perihelion listed for November 27
4 sources
November 2026 Skywatching Guide: Meteors, Planets, Stars and a Full Moon
November skygazing: Planetary alignments, a supermoon, comet, and more
Calendario astronómico de noviembre: lluvias de meteoros, superluna y conjunciones planetarias que no te puedes perder
De la Superluna de Castor a las Leónidas: eventos astronómicos de noviembre 2026
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