What’s Up in Denver? November 9th through 15th

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

November 9:

Venus next to Spica
Venus next to Spica

November 10:

Secrets of the Cigar: JWST Unveils the Prototype Starburst Galaxy
Secrets of the Cigar: JWST Unveils the Prototype Starburst Galaxy

November 11 (Veteran’s Day):

The Moon near Antares
The Moon near Antares

November 12:

Standley Lake Stargazing
Standley Lake Stargazing

November 13:

The Moon reaches apogee
The Moon reaches apogee
  • The waxing crescent Beaver Moon reaches apogee, its farthest distance from Earth 405,619 km around 12:00 PM

November 14:

November 15:

Mars and Jupiter next to Regulus
Mars and Jupiter next to Regulus
  • Look for Mars and Jupiter next to Regulus, find the bright red planet and the gas giant next to the alpha star at the bottom of the Sickle Asterism in the constellation Leo rising in the eastern sky a little before midnight.

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.

  • Northern Taurids (NTA): 1:00 AM near Aldebaran in Taurus: About 5 per hour at peak. Peak November 11–12
  • Southern Taurids (STA): 1:00 AM near 5 Tauri in Taurus: About 2–3 per hour
  • Leonids (LEO): 5:00 AM near Rasalas in Leo: Less than 1 per hour. Peak next week

Check Out These Helpful Guides from DAS:

Sky Map

Clear skies and happy stargazing!