Mars and Jupiter will appear to cross paths in the November sky, offering an observable planetary alignment during the early morning hours. Around 6 a.m. on Monday, November 2, the last-quarter Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Regulus will be visible above the southeastern horizon.
The planets can be seen with the naked eye, although observing them this autumn requires either staying up late or getting up early. Saturn is the only one of the five visible naked-eye planets that can be observed after sunset and for much of the night. The others appear later at night or in the early morning, particularly Venus and Mercury.
Mercury will remain difficult to spot, with its visibility limited to roughly two weeks from November 15. Observers will need a location with a clear eastern horizon to have a chance of seeing it.
Jupiter and Mars are the main attraction this month. Between approximately 6 and 7 a.m., regular observers should see Mars appear to move closer to Jupiter, pass it and then move away again. The Moon or Regulus, one of the brightest stars in the sky, will join the scene on some nights.
The apparent movement provides a way to follow the planets’ motion around the Sun over just a few days. It also reflects the origin of the word “planet,” derived from an ancient term meaning “wandering stars.”
Sources: Le Monde Sciences.