Lunar Occultation of Regulus – November 13, 2025
From 04:28 to 07:16 IST, the Moon will pass in front of Regulus, causing a lunar occultation.
Visible from parts of Russia, Svalbard, eastern Greenland, northeastern Svalbard, and Jan Mayen.
Not visible from New Delhi.
Due to the Moon’s close proximity, the occultation visibility is limited to specific regions.
A close conjunction of the Moon and Regulus can be seen more widely, even where the occultation isn’t visible.
Conjunction of Mercury and Mars – November 13, 2025
Date & Time: November 13, 2025, at 00:11 IST
Event: Mercury and Mars share the same right ascension; Mercury passes 1°18′ south of Mars
Brightness: Mercury mag 1.1, Mars mag 1.4 (both in Scorpius)
Visibility from New Delhi:
Not observable, as they reach their highest point during daytime
At dusk, both will be very low, no higher than 1° above the horizon
Viewing note: Too widely separated for a typical telescope view, but binoculars or the naked eye can see them (if visible)
Ideal viewing: Best seen from locations where they are higher above the horizon after sunset or before sunrise
This conjunction offers a subtle sky event mainly suited for darker sky locations with clearer horizon views.
✨ Northern Taurid Meteor Shower – Nov 12, 2025
Get ready for a cosmic light show! 🌌 The Northern Taurids, active from Oct 20 – Dec 10, will peak on Nov 12.
🔭 Best visibility (New Delhi):
After 17:54 IST till dawn (06:13 IST)
Peak displays around 01:00 IST 🌠
Radiant in Taurus, high at 83° altitude
Up to 4 meteors/hour under dark skies ✨
🌙 With the last quarter Moon in Leo, interference will be minimal – making it perfect for spotting these long-lasting fireballs!
Parent body: Asteroid 2004 TG10
Moon at Last Quarter – November 12, 2025
Time: November 12, 2025, at 10:58 IST
The Moon reaches last quarter phase, appearing half illuminated.
Visibility from New Delhi:
Rises at 23:45 IST (late night)
Sets at 13:08 IST (early afternoon)
Most prominent in the pre-dawn sky, high overhead by sunrise
Phase cycle: The Moon moves through new, first quarter, full, and last quarter phases every 29.5 days, changing its appearance and timing in the sky.
At last quarter, the Moon rises around midnight, is high at dawn, and sets around lunchtime.
A great opportunity to observe the Moon’s crisp half shape before sunrise!
Asteroid 471 Papagena at Opposition – November 12, 2025
Date & Time: November 12, 2025, at 05:28 IST
Location: In the constellation Cetus
Visibility from New Delhi:
Visible from 19:51 to 04:38 IST
Rises at 19:51 IST, 21° above eastern horizon
Highest point at 00:15 IST, 63° above southern horizon
Sets below 21° above western horizon at 04:38 IST
Well placed for observation, staying above the horizon most of the night
Culmination (highest point) occurs around local midnight, ideal for viewing
Look up for this asteroid’s opposition—the best time to spot 471 Papagena in Cetus!
Jupiter Enters Retrograde Motion – November 11, 2025
Date & Time: November 11, 2025, at 22:07 IST
Event: Jupiter will begin its retrograde motion, appearing to reverse direction and move westward among the stars.
Why it happens: This apparent reversal occurs because of Earth’s own motion around the Sun, changing our perspective as we pass Jupiter in our orbit.
Frequency: All outer planets (those beyond Earth’s orbit) experience this a few months before their opposition.
Visual effect: Jupiter’s usual eastward drift through the constellations pauses, then heads west — a fascinating dance visible in the night sky.
Tip: Watch Jupiter over the coming weeks and notice how its path changes, a classic effect of planetary motions from Earth’s viewpoint!
Lunar Occultation of Beta Tauri (Elnath) – November 8, 2025
Date & Time: November 8, 2025, from 07:10 IST to 11:08 IST.
Event: The Moon will pass in front of Beta Tauri (Elnath), creating a lunar occultation.
Visibility: This event will be visible from South America and Africa, but not from New Delhi.
Location effect: Due to the Moon’s proximity to Earth, its apparent position shifts by up to two degrees, limiting full occultation visibility to specific regions.
Wider view: While the occultation isn’t visible everywhere, a close conjunction between the Moon and Beta Tauri can be seen from more locations.
Observing tips: Solid map contours outline regions where Elnath’s disappearance (red) and reappearance (blue) are visible through binoculars at a useful altitude.
Dotted contours show where the event is technically above the horizon but possibly hidden by daylight or low elevation.
A celestial highlight for parts of South America and Africa—watch for the Moon’s close encounter with this bright Taurus star!
Full Moon – November 5, 2025
Time: 18:49 IST
The Moon reaches full phase, visible all night (rises at dusk, sets at dawn).
This full moon coincides with perigee – the Moon’s closest point to Earth.
Called a “supermoon” because it appears slightly larger and brighter.
Distance from Earth: about 356,500 km.
Size varies by up to 14% between perigee and apogee.
The brightness difference is subtle, often hard to notice.
A great night to enjoy the brightest full moon of the month!
Let me know if you want it shorter or a caption too!
Mercury at dichotomy on November 4
Date & Time: November 4, 2025, at 08:46 IST
Event: Mercury reaches half phase (dichotomy) during its Sep–Nov 2025 evening apparition
Brightness: Magnitude –0.1 (bright)
Visibility from New Delhi:
Mercury will be low, max altitude about 12° above horizon at sunset (peak around Nov 1)
Difficult to observe due to low altitude
Viewing tip: Best seen shortly after sunset during early November evenings
Challenge: A subtle target for sky watchers looking for a twilight planet in half phase
Moon at Aphelion – November 3, 2025
On November 3, 2025, at 16:51 IST, the Moon reaches its aphelion—the furthest point from the Sun in its orbit
sitting 0.9941 AU from the Sun. At this moment, Earth is 0.9920 AU from the Sun, and the Moon is 362,000 km from Earth.
This rare alignment happens around the full moon, when the Moon circles the far side of our planet as seen from the Sun.
A fascinating moment in the dance of our closest celestial neighbor!
