Moon, Mars and Jupiter Set for November Skywatching Display

Skywatchers may see the waning Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Regulus together in the eastern sky overnight November 1–2, according to the forecast. At about an hour after midnight, the Moon is expected to be roughly 45% illuminated and less than 5 degrees from Mars.

Key details

• Jupiter is forecast to appear below Mars, with Regulus farther along the apparent line toward the horizon.
• The Beehive Cluster, or M44, is expected about 10 degrees from the Moon’s unilluminated side.
• A lunar occultation of Jupiter is forecast to begin at 20:45 GMT on November 2. Visibility will depend on location, with parts of Australia, Indonesia and other island locations in view.
• For US observers, the Moon is forecast to appear about 1 degree from Regulus at moonrise on November 3.
• A lunar occultation of Regulus is forecast for November 3 in parts of South America, including Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Colombia.

The Moon is forecast to appear less than 5 degrees from Mars about an hour after midnight.

Why it matters

The forecast gives observers in different regions several opportunities to track close pairings involving the Moon and bright objects in the sky. The Jupiter and Regulus occultations offer views that depend on location, while US observers can look for the Moon near Regulus at moonrise.

What happens next

The sequence of close sky pairings continues through November 3, giving observers several nights to watch the Moon move past bright planets and stars. Which pairing will you look for first?