November Skywatching Highlights: Jupiter at Opposition, Leonid, North and South Taurid Meteor Showers, and 'Beaver Moon'

November promises a spectacular celestial lineup beginning with Jupiter at its brightest and closest view for the year on Nov 2-3, followed by conjunction of the Moon and Venus on Nov 9, peaking of meteor showers - the Southern Taurids on Nov 5-6, Northern Taurids from Nov 11-13 and Leonids on Nov 17-18, and culminating in the full 'Beaver Moon' on Nov 27.

The November night sky will feature several celestial events including Jupiter being at its brightest and closest on Nov 2-3, meteor showers such as the Southern Taurids peaking on Nov 5-6 and the Northern Taurids from Nov 11-13, followed by the Leonids on Nov 17-18.
Jupiter will be at perigee—the closest point to Earth—on the evening of Nov 1-2, providing clear views of the solar system's largest planet and its four largest moons, which can be viewed using a telescope.
The Taurid meteor showers, the spectacular debris left by Comet Enck, can produce fireballs and up to 10 shooting stars per hour which travel at 17 miles per second and can be seen across the sky without locating the constellation.
The Leonid meteor shower is notorious for occasionally producing incredible meteor storms. In 2023, it is predicted to peak with about 15 'shooting stars' per hour, known for their long and bright trails.
The month will also witness a conjunction of the Moon and Venus on Nov 9, and culminate with the full 'Beaver Moon' on Nov 27, named so as this is the time when beavers begin preparations for the winter months.