If the October eclipse whet your appetite, we have good news: the total lunar eclipse in November will be visible across North America — and it will be the last of its kind until spring 2025.
That’s not the only thing November has in store for us. This month’s night-sky calendar includes two meteor showers, multiple planet sightings, prime Milky Way viewing, and the ever-popular Manhattanhenge in New York City.
Are you ready to gaze at the night sky? Here are five must-attend celestial events in November 2022.
Taurid Meteor Shower, November 4-5
A particularly intense Taurid meteor shower occurs roughly every seven years, and 2022 could very well be that year. The chance of seeing an elusive fireball increases when the intensity is high. According to the Planetary Science Institute, these jumbo-sized meteors are exceptionally vibrant, causing eye-popping fiery reactions when they strike Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of around 10 miles per second.
According to CNET, this year’s peak Taurid activity is expected on November 5, but you can enjoy it in the days leading up to and following that date. According to experts, this event could produce several fireballs in a single hour. Although the bright moon will obscure the Taurid shooting stars, fireballs will be visible.
Total Lunar Eclipse on November 8th
The excitement on Nov. 8 isn’t limited to election day. The moon will pass into Earth’s shadow that same night, marking the last total lunar eclipse until March 2025, according to NASA. (Until then, we can enjoy several partial lunar eclipses and two spectacular total solar eclipses.) What exactly is a total lunar eclipse? According to NASA, this bizarre phenomenon occurs when the moon aligns with the darkest part of Earth’s shadow. The moon turns a fiery red color when it aligns, hence the nickname “blood moon.” This night-sky event is visible with the naked eye, but binoculars or a telescope can improve the viewing experience.
Totality begins at 5:16 a.m. ET in New York, according to Time and Date. The maximum eclipse occurs at 5:59 a.m., when the moon is closest to the shadow center.
Uranus is in opposition on November 9th
If you’ve been wanting to see Uranus, look no further than November 9 — the best day of the year to do so. According to EarthSky.org, as Uranus gets closer to Earth, the sun will shine brighter on its face than it has all year. Throughout the night, look for a small blue-green dot in the night sky to see the planet in opposition. To help you see the stars, download a stargazing app like Sky Safari. Alternatively, find a telescope to observe our distant neighbor up close.
Leonid Meteor Shower, November 17-18
See Leonid, November’s second meteor shower, at its peak late on the 17th and early on the 18th. According to EarthSky.org, this shower became famous in 1966 when it produced thousands of meteors per minute. It’s expected to produce 10 to 15 meteors per hour during the night’s darkest hours — shortly before midnight, before the waning crescent moon appears.
30 November: Manhattanhenge
Few sky events captivate New Yorkers like Manhattanhenge. According to the American Museum of Natural History, this enchanting solar event occurs when the sun aligns with Manhattan’s street grid and illuminates the concrete jungle with solar flares and a dreamy orange glow. Do you want to witness the spectacle for yourself? Check out our guide to seeing Manhattanhenge and where to see it.