# November 2026 Skywatching Guide: Meteors, Planets, and Supermoons A comprehensive guide to celestial events, planetary alignments, and meteor showers throughout November 2026. - **Source:** [CNET](https://brifing.si/source/ce507de7-7f24-4ff4-ab6d-7635abcc095a) - **Published:** 2026-10-31 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/2014b79c-911b-455d-8a1b-abd258eefe5f ## November Skywatching Overview November 2026 offers a dense schedule of celestial events following the end of daylight saving time on November 1. With earlier sunsets, observers gain extended windows for viewing without extreme late-night hours. While no major singular event dominates, the month features a consistent series of planetary alignments and meteor showers. ## Planetary Visibility Dynamics Every planet is visible throughout November, though accessibility varies significantly by date and time. Mercury and Venus remain challenging due to their proximity to the sun, while Mars and Jupiter dominate the eastern horizon. Saturn and Neptune share a similar trajectory, requiring binoculars or telescopes for optimal observation of their specific features. ## Mars and Jupiter Conjunction Mars and Jupiter maintain a close proximity throughout the entire month, rising together in the eastern sky. They are joined by the star Regulus, forming a visible trio accessible to the naked eye. This grouping provides a reliable reference point for observers tracking planetary movement across the night sky during November. ## Taurid Meteor Showers The Southern Taurids peak between November 4 and 5, followed by the Northern Taurids on November 11 and 12. Both showers originate from the Taurus constellation and are fueled by comet 2P/Encke. While they average only five meteors per hour, both are known for producing bright fireballs during their active periods. ## New Moon Stargazing Window The new moon on November 9 marks the darkest night of the month, providing ideal conditions for deep-sky observation and night photography. This date coincides with Carl Sagan Day, encouraging enthusiasts to engage with educational content. Reduced lunar light pollution significantly improves the visibility of dimmer objects like Uranus and Neptune. ## November Planet Parade A planetary alignment featuring Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter occurs around November 14, lasting until November 25. Mercury reaches western elongation on November 20, offering the best viewing window just before sunrise. Observers have a narrow 30-minute timeframe to catch Mercury before the sun rises and obscures the view. ## Leonids Meteor Activity The Leonids meteor shower runs from November 6 to 30, peaking on the night of November 16. While historically capable of producing hundreds of meteors, 2026 expectations remain modest at 15 meteors per hour. The 41% illuminated moon will likely obscure fainter meteors, making this a target primarily for dedicated night owls. ## Beaver Moon Supermoon The Beaver Moon on November 24 is the first of four consecutive supermoons closing out 2026. Reaching peak illumination near perigee, it appears 7% larger than a standard full moon. Because the moon remains over 90% full from November 22 to 27, light pollution will be high during this specific week. ## End of Month Alignment November concludes with a repeat performance of the Mars, Jupiter, and moon trio, once again accompanied by Regulus. This final meetup occurs on the last day of the month, providing a clear naked-eye spectacle. Eagle-eyed observers may also spot Algieba, the second-brightest star in the Leo constellation, near the planetary group. ## Constellation and Asterism Shifts The transition from summer to winter constellations continues, with Taurus, Pegasus, and Capricornus becoming prominent. While the Summer Triangle remains visible, the Winter Triangle rises earlier each evening. Observers are encouraged to use digital tools like Stellarium to accurately pinpoint lesser-known asterisms such as the Pleiades and the Circlet of Pisces. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.cnet.com/science/space/november-2026-skywatching-stars-planets-meteors-moon-guide/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._