Astronomical Events Information | 2016 | November
The Moon Passing Close to Venus and Saturn
Let’s Enjoy the Medley of the Moon and Planets in the Evening Sky!
At the beginning of November, Venus and Saturn which approached as close as 3 degrees on October 30, are still hanging close together low in the southwestern sky immediately after sunset. From November 2 to 3 the thin crescent moon passes close by these paired planets. Compared to Venus (-4 magnitude), Saturn (0 magnitude) might be difficult to see in the lingering dusk, but on the 3rd let’s search for it by drawing a small equilateral triangle with Venus and the Moon.
After this, the Moon moves through the background of the starry sky day-by-day as it waxes towards 1st quarter. On the 6th, it passes near Mars. Let’s enjoy the position of the Moon indicating the planets and its changing shape.
Reference: Ephemeris Computation Office
You can look up the rising and setting times for the Sun and the Moon, and the phases of the Moon in the “Koyomi Station” of the NAOJ Ephemeris Computation Office.
You can find the appearance of the Moon and planets as seen from a typical city under “Sky Viewer.”