November Skywatch: Beaver Moon, Meteor Showers & Planetary Pairings

November Skywatch: Beaver Moon, Meteor Showers & Planetary Pairings

Hello, sky-watchers of Latin America and the Caribbean! November kicks off with the Full Beaver Moon and brings two great meteor showers, plus a series of Moon–planet and Moon–cluster meetups. Whether you’re gazing from Caracas, Panama City or Punta Cana, here’s your friendly, day-by-day guide to the month’s highlights. Clear skies!

November 2: Saturn meets the Moon

In the early pre-dawn sky on November 2, a slender waning crescent Moon glides just south of golden Saturn. Binoculars will frame this pairing beautifully—a lovely way to start your morning observing.

November 5: Full “Beaver” Moon

On the evening of November 5, the Full Beaver Moon rises at sunset, bathing the night in warm, golden light. This is the brightest Moon of the month—perfect for a moonlit walk or backyard gathering. Scan the lunar surface with binoculars to spot the dark maria contrasting with bright crater rays.

November 6: Moon meets the Pleiades (M45)

Look for a gibbous Moon hanging just above the misty glow of the Pleiades star cluster in Taurus on November 6. Under dark skies, the cluster’s blue-white stars sparkle beside the Moon’s bright face—an enchanting duo in a telescope or binoculars.

November 9: Jupiter meets the Moon

Before dawn on November 9, seek out a slim waning crescent Moon positioned just above brilliant Jupiter in the eastern sky. It’s an easy naked-eye sight, and binoculars will frame them together as the morning twilight brightens.

November 12: Last Quarter Moon

The Moon reaches Last Quarter on November 12, rising around midnight with its left half illuminated. This half-lit phase offers dramatic shadows along crater walls and mountain peaks—ideal for late-night lunar exploration.

November 12–13: Taurids Meteor Shower Peak

The Taurids meteor shower peaks overnight November 12 into 13, radiating from the constellation Taurus. With rates up to 10–15 meteors per hour, these slow-moving “fireballs” can be quite bright. Bundle up after midnight for the best view.

November 17–18: Leonids Meteor Shower Peak

Late on November 17 into 18, the Leonids blaze across the sky, radiating from Leo. Known for swift, bright meteors, the Leonids can deliver up to 15 meteors per hour under dark skies. Look east after midnight to catch the action.

November 20: New Moon

The New Moon on November 20 slips into the Sun’s glare, leaving the sky beautifully dark. It’s your best window for deep-sky observing—galaxies, nebulae and star clusters will pop in even small telescopes or binoculars.

November 28: First Quarter Moon

On November 28, the Moon reaches First Quarter, shining half-illuminated at sunset. Follow the terminator with binoculars to trace ridge lines, crater walls and the dramatic boundary between lunar day and night.

November 29: Saturn meets the Moon

Cap off the month on November 29 with another pre-dawn pairing—Saturn and a waxing gibbous Moon gliding close together low in the sky. Binoculars will nicely frame the planet’s rings beside the Moon’s bright limb.

For full details—exact times, viewing tips, and more—please refer to Celestron’s 2025 Celestial Calendar and 2025 Moon Calendar.

Catch last month’s skywatch highlights here, and don’t miss November's upcoming cosmic wonders in our next post. Happy observing!.