November 2026 brings eight exciting celestial events for skywatchers, including three meteor showers and a beaver supermoon. The Southern Taurid meteor shower peaks overnight from November 4 to 5. Later, Mars and Jupiter get close on November 16. Many of these displays will be visible across both hemispheres this month.
November 2026 is bringing several exciting astronomical events for skywatchers. 3 meteor showers, a close encounter between Mars and Jupiter, a Supermoon and some impressive planetary displays will be witnessed this month. Venus will also reach its brightest point of the year, while distant Uranus will appear opposite the Sun. Some of these events will be visible across both hemispheres, while others will offer better viewing opportunities in particular regions. Here are eight celestial events to watch in November 2026. 1. Southern Taurid Meteor Shower - November 4-5 The Southern Taurid meteor shower will reach its peak overnight from November 4 to 5.
It is expected to reach its highest point at about 1:45 pm EST on November 5. The shower is famous for its low-velocity meteors, and for occasional bright fireballs. Under good conditions, observers will see approximately 5 meteors per hour. Where to watch: North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and other regions in both hemispheres. This can be seen best after midnight from a dark location. 2. Northern Taurid Meteor Shower - Nov 11-12 The peak of the Northern Taurids is Nov. 11-12 at night. The expected time of peak moment is about 1:02 pm EST on Nov. 12. This shower is noted for occasional very bright fireballs, similar to the Southern Taurids.
It is located in a constellation called Taurus and is easiest to find later in the evening. Where to watch: North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. It can be seen from both hemispheres, but the northern hemisphere typically offers more favorable viewing conditions. 3. Mars And Jupiter Close Approach - November 16 On November 16, Mars will be very close to Jupiter in the sky. The closest they get is on around 11:22 pm EST on Nov. 15 and the best time to observe is before dawn on Nov. 16. The planets will seem approximately 1.2 degrees apart. Both will be observed without a telescope, but better with binoculars.
Where to watch: North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Face east, towards the rise of the sun, before your rising. 4. Leonid Meteor Shower - November 17-18 The Leonid meteor shower will reach its peak overnight from November 17 to 18. The predicted peak moment is approximately 7:19 pm EST on November 17. The shower originates from debris left behind by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. Its meteors are particularly fast, travelling at approximately 71 kilometres per second. Skywatchers could see around 10-15 meteors per hour under dark skies. Where to watch: North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.
The best opportunity is after midnight, away from city lights. 5. Mercury At Greatest Western Elongation - November 20 Mercury will reach its greatest western elongation on November 20, at approximately 5:59 pm EST. This means the planet will appear at its greatest angular distance west of the Sun. The event offers a better opportunity to observe Mercury, which is usually difficult to spot because of its proximity to the Sun. Where to watch: Both hemispheres can observe Mercury, although it will be better positioned in the morning sky for Northern Hemisphere observers. Look towards the eastern horizon before sunrise.
6. Beaver Supermoon - November 24 November's Full Moon, traditionally called the Beaver Moon, will also be a Supermoon. It will reach peak illumination at approximately 9:53 am EST on November 24. A Supermoon occurs when a Full Moon takes place near the Moon's closest orbital point to Earth, known as perigee. It can appear somewhat larger and brighter than an average Full Moon. Where to watch: Worldwide, including North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. The best viewing opportunity will be around local moonrise on November 24. 7. Uranus At Opposition - November 25 Uranus will reach opposition on November 25, at approximately 5:47 pm EST.
During opposition, Earth lies approximately between the planet and the Sun, making Uranus appear brighter and visible for much of the night. The distant ice giant will shine at approximately magnitude 5.6. Although it may be detectable with excellent eyesight under very dark skies, binoculars or a telescope are recommended. Where to watch: North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Look towards the constellation Taurus. 8. Venus At Its Brightest - November 27 Venus will reach its greatest brightness of 2026 on November 27, at approximately 1:37 pm EST. The planet will appear exceptionally bright in the morning sky around this date.
Venus is often called the Morning Star when it appears before sunrise. Its brightness comes from its highly reflective cloud-covered atmosphere and its relatively close position to Earth. Where to watch: Both hemispheres, including North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Look towards the eastern sky before sunrise.