Sky guide

You can’t miss these 5 skywatching events in November 2022

Keep your eyes peeled for Uranus, a total lunar eclipse, and more.

by Jennifer Walter
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
NASA/CXO/University College London/W. Dunn et al; Optical: W.M. Keck Observatory

Even though Halloween has come and gone, several skywatching treats are on the horizon for November.

Sarote Impheng / EyeEm/EyeEm/Getty Images

ESA via Giphy

This month, more than one meteor shower will pass overhead, and you’ll have a chance to see the last total lunar eclipse of 2022.

NASA/JPL

Plus, don’t miss a stunning view of our Solar System’s most distant planet.

Javier Zayas Photography/Moment/Getty Images

Here are 6 cosmic events you can’t miss in November:

5. Southern Taurids

On the night of Nov. 4-5, this long-lasting meteor shower peaks with a rate of roughly five meteors per hour.

Shutterstock

Shutterstock

Your best opportunity to spot the Southern Taurids will be just after midnight.

But the peak of this shower isn’t as defined as others. If you miss it at the beginning of the month, you can still spot the Taurids for a few more weeks.

4. Total lunar eclipse

On the evening of Nov. 8, a total lunar eclipse will be visible from North America, South America, Asia, and Australia.

Kelly Gray / 500px/500Px Plus/Getty Images

Kelly Gray / 500px/500Px Plus/Getty Images

This will be the last total lunar eclipse on Earth until 2025, though there will be a penumbral and partial lunar eclipse next year.

3. Uranus at opposition

On Nov. 9, our Solar System’s most distant planet will be perfectly aligned with the Sun and Earth.

NASA/CXO/University College London/W. Dunn et al; Optical: W.M. Keck Observatory

NASA/CXO/University College London/W. Dunn et al; Optical: W.M. Keck Observatory

This alignment offers the clearest and brightest view of Uranus all year — though it’ll still appear as just a faint speck in the sky.

2. Northern Taurids

The sister shower to the Southern Taurids will peak on the evening of Nov. 11-12.

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Shutterstock

The Northern Taurids’ pinnacle moment overlaps with the Southern Taurids this time of year, which can make for a stunning show.

1. Leonids

Nov. 16-17 will be your chance to see the explosive Leonid meteor shower peak.

NASA/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

NASA/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The Leonids are known to cause meteor storms.

These are sudden bursts of activity where thousands of meteors will streak across the sky at once — an unpredictable and stunning feature of this late fall shower.

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