Future Publishing via Getty Images Every Monday I pick the Northern Hemisphere (mid-northern latitudes) celestial points for the week ahead, but be sure to check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more.
What to see in the night sky this week: November 14-20, 2022
November is always a good time to look at the stars, but this week will be better than most. In addition to the chance to see the twinkling bright winter stars rise in the east just after dark, this week sees the peak of the Leonid meteor shower. While not the most productive of a regular year, there are plenty of reasons to look out this week when it peaks. Aside from its peak night coinciding with moonless night skies—a rarity for meteor shower peaks in 2022—the Leonid meteor shower is famous for its occasional meteor storms. That probably won’t happen this year, but there are reasons to believe it will be stronger than usual.
Wednesday, November 16, 2022: Last Quarter Moon
Today we see our physical satellite in space reach the last quarter phase of the moon, which sees it rise around midnight and set at noon. So, in addition to ensuring dark, moonlit skies past midnight for the rest of the week, it also means you can easily spot the half and also the setting moons in the west in the morning. A final quarter moon sets behind Paranal Hill and the platform of the Very Large Telescope (VLT), … [+] with its four optical telescopes and four mobile auxiliary telescopes, at the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Paranal Observatory, in the Antofagasta region of Chile, in the Atacama Desert about 1150 km north of Santiago, on June 21, 2022. AFP via Getty Images
Thursday/Friday, November 17/18, 2022: Leonid Meteor Shower
Just before midnight Thursday and into the early hours of Friday is the peak of the Leonid meteor shower in dark, moonless night skies. The 36% illuminated crescent will rise after midnight. Keep your eyes peeled (no binoculars or telescope needed) for the 10-20 “shooting stars” per hour (a dark sky will help you spot them). This meteor shower is known for bright meteors with persistent trains—which means you’ll be able to watch some of them glow for a second or so as they streak across the night sky.
Friday/Saturday, November 18/19, 2022: Leonid Meteor Shower
According to the American Meteor Society, this year could see Earth move through some Leonid meteor streams associated with previous meteor storms. On November 19, experts predict that Earth could pass through the same dust trail that caused a meteor storm in 1733 with an astonishing 200 “shooting stars” per hour! Others suggest 50 an hour. In any case, get out and look up! Sunday, November 20, 2022: Crescent near Spica Stellarium
Sunday, November 20, 2022: Crescent near Spica
Before sunrise this morning in the eastern sky, a 15% illuminated waning Moon—a crescent—will rise just below the star Porrima and 4º above Spica, the bright star of the constellation Virgo. The red supergiant star Arcturus in the constellation Botes will be to the left of the Moon as it rises.
Event of the week: Leonidas meteor shower
Active between November 3 and December 2 each year, the Leonid meteor shower is caused by dust and debris left in the inner Solar System by comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. Although they can appear from anywhere, the bright spot for meteors is the constellation Leo. The times and dates given are for mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location information, consult online planetariums such as Stellarium and The Sky Live. Check planetary sunrise/set, sunrise/sunset and moonrise/moonset times for your location. I wish you clear skies and open eyes.
