Realm of Darkness
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Published: 29th October 2022
Looking back at October, it gave us some good opportunities to view the night skies
And with the continuing darkness
November provides a good opportunity to view some object, including asteroids, the planets, plus some other objects
Though, the beginning of November may cause you a few problems viewing. If you’re based in the United Kingdom
Friday 4th November
Moon and Jupiter Near Each Other
If you are looking to view Jupiter, then tonight you can use the Moon to help you locate Jupiter
The Moon will be in the waxing phase. A few days away, from reaching a Full Moon
Sunset will occur at around 16:30 in the UK, click here for a location closer to you, with the moon having risen at around 3:30
And will reach its highest point at around 21:30. Finally dipping below the horizon at around 3:00 in the morning
Saturday 5th November
If you are based in the UK, the Saturday and possibly the Friday night, will be lit by shooting stars. Unfortunately these will be the ones made from gunpowder
As people celebrate the failure to blow up Parliament, by creating explosions
And may make any attempts to view the cosmos more difficult
So either go, and view a firework display, or wait until they’ve finished and view the night skies later in the night
Tuesday 8th November
Lunar Eclipse
As we are based in the UK, it would be remiss of us not to mention that this Lunar eclipse is not visible in the UK
However, for our readers from other locations in the world where it is visible, here goes
The Moon will disappear in locations including the Americas, Asia, Northern Europe, and Oceania
As the Moon begins to pass into the Earth's shadow it will begin to dim, before disappearing. Then it leaves Earth's shadow and begins to become visible
This chart may help you find when the Lunar Eclipse occurs in your location
You can view the Lunar eclipse without the aid of binoculars or a telescope but it will give you a better view, of the disappearing Moon
Full Moon
After disappearing for some. Our enemy the Full Moon returns with a vengeance
The November Full Moon, also known as a Beaver Moon. While not totally blocking the river of the night sky. May cause problems, with viewing a particular object
You can always set up your camera, binoculars, or a telescope, to allow you to photograph or view our enemy with greater clarity. Giving you a chance to practice your skills
Wednesday 9th November
Uranus at Opposition
If you wish to try and view Uranus, then tonight may provide an opportunity
Although the occurrence of the Full Moon, the previous night, may make it difficult
Opposition means that Earth will sit between the Sun and Uranus, thus giving a better view of Uranus
Our chart may help you in locating in your location
Saturday 12th November
Asteroid 27 Euterpe at Opposition
Asteroid 27 Euterpe will reach opposition on Saturday the 12th of November
Though visibility times will vary. In the UK, it should become visible just before 19:00. And will be visible until about 5:00 in the morning. It will reach its peak, just before midnight, about 52° above the horizon in a southerly direction
Our chart may provide details about viewing in your location
It is not an easy object to spot, and you will need a telescope with a 100mm lens, to view it with any clarity
Thursday 17th November
Leonid Meteor Shower
Thursday the 17th, means that the Leonid meteor shower reaches its peak
Though it should be visible from the 6th, til the 30th of November
The Leonids has a low ZHR (Zenith Hourly Rate) of 15, so in ideal conditions, i.e viewing in a dark location, with low amounts of light. Means that you may see a meteor every four or five minutes
Our chart should hopefully help you in locating near you
Friday 18th November
M45 Good Visibility
Friday the 18th provides a good chance to view the M45, also known as the Pleiades Open Cluster
It should start to become visible from 17:20 in a northeast direction
Reaching its peak just before midnight, at around 61° above the horizon, in a south direction
Before disappearing at around 6:30 the next morning
You will probably want a pair of binoculars or a telescope, to view or photograph with any clarity
Our chart provides information to possibly help you locate in your location
Saturday 19th November
Asteroid 115 Thyra at Opposition
Asteroid 115 Thyra on the 19th of November will reach opposition
Meaning that Earth will sit, between the Sun and the asteroid, hopefully improving the chances to view
It should start to become visible from around 17:35 in a northeast direction, about 33° above the horizon
The Moon will be nearing a New Moon, but you will probably need at least a 100mm telescope, to view it with clarity
Our chart may help in finding in your location
Tuesday 22nd November
Asteroid 324 Bamberga at Opposition
On Tuesday the 22nd of November, Asteroid 324 Bamberga will be in opposition, providing a better opportunity to view
It will become visible around 17:30, about 33° above the horizon, in a northwest direction
Before becoming unobservable at around 6:10 the next morning. In a northwest direction, about 26° the horizon
Viewing with clarity will require something in the 100mm lens range telescope
Wednesday 23rd November
New Moon
Our favorite time of the month. The night when the Moon disappears, allowing us the chance to view a greater amount of the nighttime heavens
The Moon will be above the horizon until about 17:55, with the Sun having set a few minutes beforehand
And will not rise again until about 9:00 the next day, with the Sun having already been up for over an hour
Tuesday 29th November
Asteroid 30 Urania at Opposition
With the month of November coming to an end. The asteroid 30 Urania moves into opposition
Being an asteroid, despite being in opposition, will still need a telescope with a 100mm lens, to view
It should become visible around 18:05, about 21° above the horizon
Reaching its highest point, just before midnight. At about 62° above the horizon, in a south direction
Before finally disappearing at around 5:30, the next day, at around 21° above the horizon
Associated Video
Darkest Hour, Brightest Night also produce the Realm of Darkness video. Which gives you an overview of the events due to occur in November 2022
This should be released on the 31st October 2022
The Realm of Darkness video can be found in the video section of our website. Or our YouTube channel
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Written by: Ben Patmore
Ben Patmore is an amateur astrophotographer
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