November heralds a host of captivating astronomical events in the Canary Islands, offering celestial wonders that are both accessible and awe-inspiring.
Meteor Showers in the Canary Islands
Throughout the month, five meteor showers will grace the night sky in the Canary Islands. The Southern Taurids will peak on November 5th, followed by the Northern Taurids on November 12th. Although these showers are visible to the naked eye, they are expected to produce only around 5 meteors at their brightest moments.
The Leonid meteor shower will reach its zenith on the night of November 17th-18th, with the potential to witness up to 18 meteors per hour. An additional peak of activity is anticipated at midnight on the 21st.
Full Beaver Moon
On November 27th, a full moon will adorn the constellation Taurus. This full moon derives its name from Native Americans, who observed beavers seeking shelter in their burrows during this time of year. In North America, it was common to set traps for beavers due to their valuable and warm fur.
Lunar Occultation of Venus
November 9th will bring a fascinating phenomenon known as the lunar occultation of Venus. In the constellation Virgo, observers will have the unique opportunity to witness the Moon and Venus drawing closer to each other in the hours before dawn.
Comet Lemmon
Comet Lemmon (C/2023 H2) recently reached its closest point to the Sun on October 29th, known as perihelion. It is now making its way towards its closest approach to Earth, which will occur on November 10th. On this date, the comet may reach a magnitude of 6.3, making it a fantastic target for observation with binoculars. As it journeys through the constellations Hercules, Aquila, Capricorn, and southern Pisces, it promises to be a captivating celestial object.
Planetary Visibility
Astronomy enthusiasts will be delighted by the visibility of several planets in the night sky. Mercury will grace the southwestern horizon during the night, passing through the constellations Libra, Scorpius, and Ophiuchus. Venus will make its appearance on the eastern horizon in the morning. Jupiter, on the other hand, will rise throughout the night in the constellation Aries.
On November 3rd, Jupiter will be in a unique position, directly opposite the Sun from Earth’s perspective. This alignment will provide an optimal opportunity to view the planet fully illuminated by the Sun, making it particularly brilliant in the night sky.
Jupiter’s brightness will be at its peak during the night, surpassing any other time of the year. Additionally, the planet’s four largest moons will be easily distinguishable, appearing as bright points on either side of Jupiter. These celestial phenomena promise to offer captivating sights for those who gaze upon the Canary Islands’ night sky in November.
