SkyEye

The Calendar

The Solar System

The word planet is derived from the Greek word for 'wanderer'. Unlike the background stars, planets seem to move around the sky, keeping mostly to a narrow track called the ecliptic, the path of the Sun across the stars. Dwarf planets and small solar-system bodies, including comets, are not so constrained, often moving far above or below the ecliptic.

Sun Libra → Scorpius → Ophiuchus

Although Ophiuchus is not a member of the zodiac, the ecliptic passes through it. The equation of time is at its absolute maximum on 3 November. Local noon as defined by the clock occurs nearly 16.5 minutes after the Sun crosses the meridian.

Mercury Virgo → Libra → Scorpius → Ophiuchus

If visible at all in the morning sky at the beginning of the month, Mercury soon vanishes in the dawn sky at it is occulted by the Sun on 17 November. The closest planet to our star will reappear in the evening sky next month.

Venus Leo → Virgo

Although declining slightly in altitude when seen from northern latitudes, the morning star is still best seen from there. It is rising slightly as viewed from the southern hemisphere.

C/2013 US10 Catalina Centaurus → Hydra → Libra → Virgo

An Oort cloud denizen, comet C/2013 US10 Catalina is making its first and only pass through the inner solar system, reaching perihelion mid-month. Discovered in 2013 by the Catalina Sky Survey, it has an inclination of 149° and a perihelion distance of just over 0.8 AU. It may reach sixth or even fifth magnitude for the next two or three months. It is best placed for viewing from the southern hemisphere at the moment but observers in northern latitudes will get their chance by late December.

Mars Leo → Virgo

Although tightly bunched together last month, the trio of planets Venus, Mars and Jupiter are going their separate ways. The red planet is now rising earlier than the morning star.

Jupiter Leo

As it heads towards quadrature next month, Jupiter rises ever earlier in the morning.

Saturn Scorpius

At conjunction with the Sun on the last day of the month, the ringed planet is lost to view in the solar glare.

Uranus Pisces

At opposition last month, this green-coloured ice giant is visible for much of the night.

Neptune Aquarius

A small telescope is necessary to view the most distant planet in the solar system. At east quadrature on 29 November, it sets around midnight.