Reported by ScienceDaily
November 2026 is packed with celestial events worth watching, from brilliant meteors streaking across the sky to a striking encounter between Mars and Jupiter. NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft is also approaching an extraordinary milestone, while a dazzling supermoon will close out the month.
Three meteor showers offer multiple opportunities to catch shooting stars, including occasional fireballs bright enough to stand out dramatically against the night sky. Meanwhile, two of the solar system's most recognizable planets will appear unusually close together just before sunrise.
As if that weren't enough, humanity's most distant spacecraft is reaching a point where radio signals from Earth take an entire day to arrive.
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November gives skywatchers several chances to see meteors flash across the darkness. The first opportunities come from the Southern and Northern Taurids, two related meteor showers that reach their highest activity levels about a week apart.
The Southern Taurids peak around November 5, followed by the Northern Taurids around November 12. Both showers get their names from the constellation Taurus, where their meteors appear to originate when viewed from Earth.
Neither shower is especially prolific. Even under excellent conditions, each typically produces only about five meteors per hour. However, the Taurids are known for occasionally producing impressive fireballs, exceptionally bright meteors that can make even a relatively quiet night of skywatching memorable.
The Leonids provide another opportunity later in the month. Their best viewing periods are expected during the early morning hours of November 17 and 18, particularly after the Moon has disappeared below the horizon. Under ideal conditions, observers could see approximately 15 meteors per hour, although actual counts will generally be lower.
For the best chance of spotting meteors, travel somewhere away from bright city lights. Allow your eyes roughly 30 minutes to become accustomed to the darkness, then watch a broad section of the sky rather than concentrating on one small area.
Meteor showers aren't the only reason to get outside before dawn. On November 15 and 16, Mars and Jupiter will create an eye-catching pairing in the southeastern sky.
The two planets will appear separated by only about 1.2…