What’s Up in Denver? November 16th through 22nd

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Here’s a brief look at what’s going on in the Mile High City this week.

November 16:

Mars next to Jupiter
Mars next to Jupiter

November 17:

Leonids Meteor Shower
Leonids Meteor Shower
  • Leonid meteor shower peaks, producing very fast meteors at the rate of 10-15  per hour radiating from the constellation Leo after 11:00 PM until sunrise on the 18th.
  • First quarter Beaver Moon: 4:47 AM
  • The first quarter Beaver Moon reaches its Ascending Node: 5:49 AM

November 18:

An artist’s concept depicts one of NASA’s Voyager probes. The twin spacecraft launched in 1977.NASA/JPL-Caltech
An artist’s concept depicts one of NASA’s Voyager probes. The twin spacecraft launched in 1977. NASA/JPL-Caltech

November 19:

Standley Lake Stargazing
Standley Lake Stargazing

November 20:

The Moon near Saturn
The Moon near Saturn

November 21:

Wings Over the Rockies Astronomy Night:
Wings Over the Rockies Astronomy Night:

November 22:

The Moon reaches aphelion
The Moon reaches aphelion
  • The waxing gibbous Beaver Moon reaches aphelion, its furthest point from the sun in its orbit at 3:12 PM

This Week’s Solar System Summary:

  • The Sun shifts from rising about 6:45 AM to 6:52 AM, while sunset moves from 4:43 PM to 4:39 PM, continuing the gradual shortening of daylight as we move deeper into November.
  • The Moon rises around midday at the start of the week and shifts into the afternoon by the weekend, while moonset moves from late evening toward the early morning hours.
  • Mercury is making its return to the morning sky and reaches greatest western elongation on November 20. Look for it low in the eastern sky shortly before sunrise. A clear horizon will help, as it remains a challenging target in the brightening sky.
  • Venus shines brilliantly in the southeastern sky before sunrise. It is becoming easier to spot in the morning twilight and makes a striking sight alongside the other morning planets.
  • Mars rises around midnight and is visible in the eastern sky before sunrise. It appears very close to Jupiter early in the week, making the pair an excellent target for binoculars and naked-eye observing.
  • Jupiter rises around midnight and shines brightly in the eastern sky before sunrise. It is paired closely with Mars at the beginning of the week and is an increasingly prominent morning target.
  • Saturn is visible in the evening sky and remains well placed for telescope observing. It rises during the afternoon and sets in the early morning hours.
  • Uranus rises during the evening and remains visible through most of the night. It is approaching opposition later this month, making now a good time to find it with binoculars or a telescope.
  • Neptune is visible during the evening and into the early morning hours. It remains a good telescopic target, although its faintness requires optical aid.

This Week’s Meteoric Activity:

You can keep track of the activity of meteor showers as well as those beyond the limits of visual observing by visiting the NASA Meteor Shower Portal.

  • Leonids (LEO): 5:00 AM near Algenubi (ε Leonis) in Leo: About 10–15 per hour at peak.
  • Southern Taurids (STA): 1:00 AM near 5 Tauri in Taurus: About 2–3 per hour. Activity ends November 20
  • Northern Taurids (NTA): 1:00 AM near the Pleiades in Taurus: About 2–3 per hour
  • November Orionids (NOO): 5:00 AM in Orion: Less than 1 per hour. Activity began November 13
  • α-Monocerotids (AMO): 4:00 AM in Monoceros: Usually less than 1 per hour, but occasional unpredictable outbursts are possible. Peak November 22

Check Out These Helpful Guides from DAS:

Sky Map

Clear skies and happy stargazing!