November arrives to announce the beginning of the end of 2024. It has been a year full of spectacular astronomical events, such as eclipses and comet appearances. This month will also feature its own phenomena in the sky for astronomy enthusiasts to enjoy. At WIRED en Español we have prepared this guide with the dates of each event for all those interested.
From November 5 to 12: Taurid meteor shower
November begins with a little-known meteor shower spectacle. The Taurids are the frozen remains of Comet Encke, which the Earth coincides with during its orbit around the Sun. These shooting stars get their name because all the meteors seem to come from a point close to the constellation of Taurus.
The cars will reach their peak frequency between November 5 and 12. According to the observation portal EarthSkythe best time to see them will be at midnight during the first few days, before the appearance of the full Moon. The rate of meteors per hour is estimated to be 5 to 10 at its best.
November 15: Full Moon (Beaver Moon)
The full moon in November is the last supermoon of the year. Full moons with this label appear to be larger and illuminated because they coincide with the satellite’s closest approach to Earth. According to starwalkwhen it appears it will be 6.5% larger and 12.8% brighter than other full moons.
Ancient Native American peoples also referred to the November moon as the ‘Beaver Moon.’ In this month, beavers actively work to prepare for the harsh winter. The full moon told hunters that it was a good time to obtain the thick hides of these animals and also to make preparations for the cold season.
November 17: Leonid meteor shower
November will make up for its lack of unique comets with two meteor showers. The Leonids are the second of the month. In addition, they are among the most striking of the year, only surpassed by the Perseids of July and August. The frozen fragments come from comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle and coincide with the passage of the Earth, always in November. By 2024, the peak of the meteors is predicted for November 17 at a rate of 10 to 15 bolides per hour.
This time, the Leonid meteor shower could present observation difficulties due to its proximity to the November supermoon. It is advisable to focus your attention on parts of the sky far from the Moon to identify the light glow of the frozen fragments.
November 20: Moon near Mars
Near the end of the month, the sky will offer an ideal setting to test your planet identification knowledge. On November 20, the Moon will approach Mars during its passage through the constellation Cancer. The planet will look like a reddish star a few centimeters from the most luminous body in our sky.
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