Stars over Sisters

As Earth's axis of rotation continues to lean farther away from the sun for those of us who reside in the northern hemisphere, the corresponding shorter days and cooler temperatures are reliable indicators that a change of season is in progress.

This fact can also be read in the stars of the night sky, as the constellations of early winter begin to gather in the east after dusk.

Jupiter and its host constellation of Aries are already well above the horizon in early November. And the Pleiades star cluster in Taurus isn't far behind. The eye of the Bull, denoted by the bright star Aldebaran, along with the beast's two horns, appears a short time later.

Auriga, and its brightest star, Capella, also arrive on the scene. Later in the month the prominent stars of Orion begin to make their appearance as the dazzling luminaries of winter start to congregate.

If you are one who is awed by the sight of seemingly countless stars in a truly dark sky, then a steadily brightening moon will be an annoyance during the first half of November. First quarter, when the right half of the moon is illuminated, occurs on November 2. Earth's only natural satellite continues to brighten until November 10 when its entire face is lit. November's full moon is called the Beaver Moon. The reason for the name is somewhat speculative, but one interpretation suggests that beavers are actively preparing for winter at this time year. (They may also be preparing for any unfortunate encounters with Ducks.)

The dark-sky-lover finally gets some relief when the waning moon reaches last quarter on November 18; even better by November 25 when the moon goes dark.

Jupiter's brilliance still dominates the night sky. The giant planet is already up as the sun is setting, and it doesn't drop below the western horizon until about 4 a.m. local standard time by the end of the month. This is a good time to view the four Galilean moons and watch them continually shift positions relative to their host planet. The show is visible through an optical instrument of almost any size.

Venus and Mercury are only about two degrees apart during the first half of November, but both are very low in the southwest just after sunset. By mid-month, Mercury dives back toward the sun, while Venus continues to rise a bit higher with each passing day.

A brightening Mars rises about 1 a.m. local daylight-saving time at the beginning of the month, but opposition (when the distance between Mars and Earth is at a minimum) is still more than four months away.

By the end of November, Saturn begins to make a legitimate reappearance, hovering more than 25 degrees above the eastern horizon an hour before sunrise.

If you would like to learn more about astronomy, join the Sisters Astronomy Club at their next meeting on Tuesday, November 15, beginning at 7 p.m. in Sisters Park & Recreation District's Coffield Center.