Expect ‘Fireballs’ As Venus Meets The Moon: The Night Sky This Week
Each Monday, I pick out North America’s celestial highlights for the week ahead (which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere). Check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more.
The Night Sky This Week: Nov. 4-10, 2024
The sight of Venus and a slim crescent moon — taking place after sunset for three consecutive evenings — is the sky-watching highlight this week. Tuesday will offer the best sight, with the “Evening Star” shining brightly very close to the moon, whose dark limb will display “Earthshine,” delicate light reflected from Earth’s oceans and ice. Beyond that there are bound to be some “fireballs” and, potentially, intense Northern Lights. If you have binoculars then grab a last look at the comet before it leaves the inner solar system.
Here’s everything you need to know about stargazing and sky-watching this week:
Monday, Nov. 4: Venus And A Crescent Moon
With Venus now settling in to its reign as a bright “Evening Star,” it’s visible each evening in the west after sunset. Just 10%-lit tonight, it will shine below-left to Venus. Since the moon will be so slender and so low on the horizon, it won’t be an easy sight. Happily, there are two more chances this week.
Monday-Tuesday, Nov. 4-5: Southern Taurid Meteor Shower
Did you see a “shooting star” this week? If so, it was probably a Taurid, a loose meteor from the Southern Taurid meteor shower, which peaks tonight at around midnight. It’s not a major meteor shower, with only about five “shooting stars” per hour, but its peak is not particularly well-defined. So any “shooting stars” you see this week are probably Taurids.
The prospects this week for impressive “shooting stars” are good because as well as the midnight sky being moonless, Taurids tend to be bright “fireballs.” They’re the result of dust and debris left in the inner solar system by Comet 2P/Encke.
Sunday, Nov. 10: Moon And Antares
Look towards the southwest horizon after darkness sets in, and you’ll see a 45%-lit crescent moon close to the red supergiant star Antares in the constellation Scorpius.
The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like SkySafari Pro, Stellarium and The Sky Live. Check planet-rise/planet-set, sunrise/sunset, and moonrise/moonset times to see where you are.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
