What’s Up in Denver? November 2nd through 8th

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

November 2:

The Moon near Mars and Jupiter
The Moon near Mars and Jupiter

November 3 (Election Day):

The Moon and Regulus
The Moon and Regulus

November 4:

50 Years of Voyager Discoveries with Dr. Jeffrey Hayes
50 Years of Voyager Discoveries with Dr. Jeffrey Hayes

November 5:

Standley Lake Stargazing
Standley Lake Stargazing

November 6 (Dark Sky Weekend):

50 Years of Voyagers 1 & 2
50 Years of Voyagers 1 & 2

November 7 (Dark Sky Weekend):

The Moon, Venus and Spica
The Moon, Venus and Spica

November 8 (Dark Sky Weekend):

Edmond Halley by Sir Godfrey Kneller
Edmond Halley by Sir Godfrey Kneller
  • English astronomer Edmond Halley was born on this day in 1656. By studying historical records and applying Isaac Newton’s laws of gravity, Halley determined that comets seen in 1531, 1607, and 1682 were appearances of the same object. He correctly predicted its return in 1758, although he died before the comet returned. Today, it bears his name: Halley’s Comet, which is expected to return in 2061.

This Week’s Solar System Summary:

  • The Sun shifts from rising about 6:29 AM to 6:35 AM, while sunset moves from 4:58 PM to 4:52 PM, continuing the shortening days of autumn.
  • The Moon rises around midnight at the start of the week and shifts into the early morning by the weekend, while moonset moves from early afternoon toward midafternoon. The waning crescent Moon becomes thinner as it approaches New Moon the following week.
  • Mercury is low in the western sky after sunset and remains difficult to spot in the bright twilight. Look for it shortly after sunset with a clear western horizon.
  • Venus remains too close to the Sun to be visible, having passed through inferior conjunction in late October. It will gradually emerge in the morning sky.
  • Mars rises shortly after midnight and is visible in the eastern sky during the early morning hours. It is gradually brightening as it approaches its next opposition.
  • Jupiter rises around 1:30 AM and shines brightly in the eastern sky before sunrise. It is a good target for morning observing.
  • Saturn is visible from early evening through much of the night. It remains well placed for telescope observing, although it sets in the early morning hours.
  • Uranus rises during the evening and remains visible through most of the night. Binoculars or a telescope will help locate it, especially with the Moon still bright early in the week.
  • Neptune is visible during the evening and much of the night. A telescope is needed to observe this faint, distant planet.

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.

  • Southern Taurids (STA): 1:00 AM near Aldebaran in Taurus: About 5 per hour at peak.
  • Northern Taurids (NTA): 1:00 AM near Aldebaran in Taurus: About 2 per hour
  • Orionids (ORI): 4:00 AM near Meissa in Orion: Less than 1 per hour. Activity ends November 7

Check Out These Helpful Guides from DAS:

Sky Map

Clear skies and happy stargazing!