Eyes to the Skies: November features early morning meetups of the moon and planets

    Welcome to WTOP’s monthly feature “Eyes to the Skies.” Each month will feature the best the sky has to offer stargazers regarding the moon, planets and stars. Space-related events that might interest you taking place in the D.C. region will be included as well.

    Let’s get to the skies for November 2026!

    Must-see sky sights for November

    During November 2026, you can enjoy the ever-longer nights, such as fall constellations and the Andromeda galaxy, which are best seen with binoculars.

    There are early morning meetups of the moon and planets.

    Stars of the month

    The “falling stars” of the Leonid meteor shower. Details are below.

    Highlights of the month

    Nov. 1: Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. for most of the U.S. and Canada.

    Nov. 2: In the eastern sky before dawn look for the waning crescent moon leading bright Jupiter, reddish Mars and the star Regulus in a line 13 degrees long. Look for Earthshine. It’s worthy of taking a picture with your smartphone using zoom and/or digital camera.

    Nov. 4: Remember our star of the month in November, Algol? It is worth looking at it going to minimum brightness for two hours centered at 1:45 a.m. EST, and then getting brighter. See the other dates this month below. Try taking a smartphone/camera photo or maybe even a video.

    Nov. 6: Algol again at 10:45 p.m. EST

    Nov. 7: You can see an almost new very thin waning crescent moon, Venus and the star Spica at 5:30 a.m. EST. Need a clear view of the eastern horizon for best viewing. Look for Earthshine. Worthy of taking a picture with your smartphone using zoom and/or digital camera.

    Nov. 9: Algol again at 7:23 p.m. EST

    Nov. 10: You can see Venus and the star Spica becoming very close at 5:30 a.m. EST on eastern horizon. Need a clear view of the eastern horizon for best viewing. Worthy of taking a picture with your smartphone using zoom and/or digital camera.

    Nov. 16: After midnight Mars and Jupiter keep close company in the eastern sky all night. Worthy of taking a picture with your smartphone using zoom and/or digital camera.

    Nov. 16-17: Tonight the peak of the Leonid Meteor Shower takes place and will not be hampered by the moon.

    Nov. 23-24: Watch the Full Beaver Supermoon rise at sunset in the East on the 23rd and 24th, which will be best for pictures. The full moon will take place at 9:53 a.m. EST on the 24th.

    Nov. 27: Algol again at 12:17 a.m. EST.

    Nov. 29: Algol again at 9:06 p.m. EST.

    Nov. 30: The gibbous moon keeps very close company with bright Jupiter, reddish Mars and Regulus high in the East before dawn, around 5 a.m. EST. Venus and Spica are close near the Eastern horizon as well. Worthy of taking a picture with your smartphone using zoom and/or digital camera.

    The moon

    Nov. 1: Last quarter

    Nov. 9: New moon

    Nov. 17: First quarter

    Nov. 24: Full Beaver Supermoon

    Planets

    Mercury after the first week is very low in the east in morning twilight. You will need a clear horizon.

    Venus is low in the east before dawn.

    Mars is in the east late evening.

    Jupiter is in the east late evening.

    Saturn is in the east after sunset.

    Uranus is in the western sky after dark. You need a telescope to best observe the planet although it is visible in binoculars.

    Neptune is in the western sky after dark. You need a telescope to observe the planet.

    Pluto is way out there in the solar system and requires taking images through a telescope spaced days apart to hunt it down.

    D.C.-area groups holding astronomy programs and events

    • Join me at Shenandoah National Park for my “Let’s Talk About Space” presentations. Check out the Go Shenandoah website for other sky events. Rangers also host night sky programs so check it out when you visit the park.
    • Virginia State Parks has astronomy programs as well.
    • NOVAC Meeting, George Mason University. Check the calendar for astronomy events.
    • National Capital Astronomers 
    • The Analemma Society has resumed observatory operations. Check the link regarding Friday night public viewing sessions at Turner Farm in Great Falls, Virginia. Check their calendar for other astronomy activities in November.
    • The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in D.C. and Chantilly, Virginia, has loads of astronomy stuff in November.
    • Check out the new attraction at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in D.C.: Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience. Read more about it in this WTOP story.
    • Check out the Night Sky Network and the Astronomical League for events outside the D.C. area.

    Bonus section

    For smartphone photographers, this is a must-have guide for astrophotography by using your smartphone.

    Use this useful tool to create a custom star chart for your location to help you find your way around the stars. While you are at it, check out the very useful astronomical tools.

    And if you want to plan ahead for 2026 sky events, here’s a nifty guide to help from Scientific American.

    You can also send in any space related questions to my email address. Suggestions about this feature are also welcome.

    Follow my daily blog to keep up with the latest news in astronomy and space exploration. You can email me at skyguyinva@gmail.com.

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