Naked Eye Astronomy – November 2026

📝 Steven Burr


M31 Andromeda Galaxy - Luis Cho

The Moon

Just prior to sunrise on the 1st, we find the last quarter moon passing in front of the Beehive Cluster in the constellation of Cancer.  On the third, the moon passes close by Regulus in the constellation of Leo.  On the 9th, the new moon arrives followed by the first quarter on the 17th.  On the 24th, the full Beaver Moon arrives.  According to the Farmer’s Almanac, it is the time of year for beavers to begin taking shelter in their lodges and it was also the season to trap beavers for their thick winter pelts.  Other names include, the Whitefish Moon (Algonquin), the Frost Moon (Cree, Assiniboine) and Freezing Moon (Anishinaabe).  Just before sunrise on the 30th, the moon passes close to Regulus in the constellation of Leo.

The Planets

Venus will emerge from the morning twilight by mid-month and gain height as the month progresses.  Mars remains visible in the early morning hours up to sunrise along with Jupiter, both remain within the constellation of Leo for the month.  Both Mars and Jupiter will be situated close to the moon just prior to sunrise on the 2nd and the 30th.  Saturn remains well positioned for evening observing in the constellation of Pisces.

Leonids Meteor Shower

The Leonids peak on the evening of 17th/18th November. To observe this meteor shower, look to the east just after midnight on the 17th and find the constellation Leo.  The meteors will be radiating from this constellation.  The Leonids owe their origins to debris left over by the Comet Tempel-Tuttle which orbits the sun every 33 years.  We have a waxing gibbous moon that will set by midnight on the 17th, so early hours of the 18th are best for viewing.

 Constellation Andromeda


Andromeda - Urania's Mirror 1825

Andromeda is now high in the evening sky can be located just south of the constellation of Cassiopeia (the W asterism) and adjacent to Pegasus.  According to Greek mythology, Andromeda was the daughter of Cepheus (King of Ethiopia) and Cassiopeia.   She was chained to a rock and being sacrificed to the sea monster Cetus because of her mother’s impiety. In the end, Perseus rescued Andromeda and slew the monster.  In the night sky we find the constellations Perseus, Andromeda, Cassiopeia (Andromeda’s mother) and Cepheus (Andromeda’s father) all grouped together.  The Andromeda Galaxy is one of our closest neighbours and visible to the naked eye as a faint smudge.  For the Babylonians, this region of the sky was associated with Anunitum (Goddess of Heaven), known for love, war and fertility.

References:

Boeckmann, Catherine, Full Moon Names 2026 [online]. Almanac, updated 31 December 2025 [cited 3 January 2026]. Available from: https://www.almanac.com/full-moon-names

Burnham, Robert, Burnham’s Celestial Handbook Vol 3 (New York: Dover Publications, 1978)

Draconids Meteor Shower 2026 [online], Timeanddate, [cited 4 January 2026]. Available online from: https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/meteor-shower/draconid.html

Edgar, James S. ed., RASC Observer’s Handbook 2026, ed. by James S. Edgar (Marquis Book Printing, 2025)

Hard, Robin, Eratosthenes & Hyginus: Constellation Myths (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015)

Leonids Meteor Shower 2026 [online], Timeanddate, [cited 4 January 2026]. Available from: https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/meteor-shower/leonids.html

Mortillaro, Nicole, Night Sky Guide 2026 (Richmond Hill: Firefly Books, 2025)

Orionids Meteor Shower 2026 [online], Timeanddate, [cited 4 January 2026]. Available online from: https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/meteor-shower/orionid.html

White, Gavin, Babylonian Star-Lore: An Illustrated Guide to the Star-Lore & Constellations of Ancient Babylonia (London: Solaria Publications, 2014)