November Night Sky UK Guide: Meteor Showers, Planetary Alignments and Lunar Highlights
November rewards patience. The evenings arrive early, the air is often crisp, and some of the year’s most characterful sky events unfold above the UK while most people are indoors with the curtains shut.
This month brings slow, bright Taurid meteors, the famous Leonids, a useful run of dark-sky nights around the New Moon, and a string of planets across the night sky. There is also a proper winter feel to the constellations, with Orion returning in the east and the Pleiades glittering overhead by late evening.
The dates below are for November 2026 in the UK. Meteor shower peak dates are broadly similar each year, while lunar phases and planet positions change from year to year.
Key November night sky dates for the UK
Use this table as a quick planner, then check the sections below for observing tips.
Date | Event | What to look for | Best viewing advice |
1 November | Last Quarter Moon | A half-lit Moon in the early hours | Good for viewing lunar craters after midnight |
5 November | Southern Taurid meteor shower peak | Slow, bright meteors and occasional fireballs | Watch after 22:00 from a dark site |
9 November | New Moon | The darkest skies of the month | Ideal for faint stars, galaxies and meteor watching |
12 November | Northern Taurid meteor shower peak | More slow meteors from the Taurus region | Best from late evening to the small hours |
17 November | First Quarter Moon | A sharp lunar terminator showing mountain shadows | Excellent for binoculars and small telescopes |
17 to 18 November | Leonid meteor shower peak | Fast meteors from the direction of Leo | Watch after midnight, especially towards dawn |
Mid to late November | Evening planet line-up | Saturn in the evening, Uranus near opposition, Jupiter rising later | Use binoculars or a telescope for fainter planets |
24 November | Full Moon | The Beaver Moon | Beautiful to view, but bright for meteor watching |
Late November | Jupiter and Mars improve after midnight | Bright planets climbing before dawn | Best for night owls and early risers |
The Moon sets the rhythm of the month
The Moon is the main light switch for November observing. When it is bright, faint meteors and deep-sky objects become harder to see. When it is new, the sky darkens and subtle targets come alive.
1 November brings the Last Quarter Moon
The month opens with the Moon at last quarter. That means it rises late and stays visible into the morning. It is a fine time to study the lunar surface because the line between lunar day and night, called the terminator, cuts across the face of the Moon.
This is where shadows are longest. Even simple binoculars can show rugged crater rims, dark lava plains and mountain-like ridges. A small telescope will show much more, but binoculars are enough to make the Moon feel like a landscape.
9 November is New Moon and the best dark-sky window
The New Moon on 9 November gives the best chance of genuinely dark skies. The nights around this date are the ones to circle if the forecast looks promising.
This is the prime window for:
Seeing the Milky Way from a properly dark rural location
Hunting faint meteors from the Taurid showers
Looking for the Andromeda Galaxy with binoculars
Enjoying star clusters such as the Pleiades and the Double Cluster
If there is one week to plan a countryside stargazing trip, make it the stretch around the New Moon.
17 November is First Quarter and ideal for lunar viewing
The First Quarter Moon on 17 November sits high enough in the evening sky for comfortable viewing. It is bright, but not overwhelmingly so, and the shadow detail is excellent.
This is one of the best nights of the month for families, beginners and anyone with a new pair of binoculars. The Moon is easy to find, rewarding to view, and tolerant of light pollution. Even from a town or city, it can look superb.
24 November brings the Full Moon
The Full Moon on 24 November is bright, bold and hard to ignore. November’s Full Moon is often called the Beaver Moon in popular skywatching calendars.
A full Moon is less useful for studying crater shadows because sunlight strikes the near side more directly. It is still a beautiful sight, especially as it rises low in the east. Look for the orange or amber colour when it is close to the horizon. That colour comes from moonlight passing through more of Earth’s atmosphere.
The trade-off is sky brightness. The Full Moon will wash out faint meteors and many deep-sky objects, so plan meteor watches and galaxy viewing for darker nights.
The Taurid meteor showers may be slow, but they can be spectacular
November has two Taurid meteor showers. They are not usually the busiest showers of the year, but they are famous for producing slow, graceful meteors and the occasional bright fireball.
The Taurids appear to radiate from the direction of Taurus, the bull-shaped constellation near the Pleiades. You do not need to stare directly at Taurus. In fact, meteors often look longer and more dramatic when they appear some distance away from the radiant.
Southern Taurids peak around 5 November
The Southern Taurids peak around 5 November. In 2026, this falls close to the dark-sky period before New Moon, which is helpful. The lack of strong moonlight should make fainter meteors easier to spot.
Expect a modest number of meteors rather than a storm. Patience matters. Give yourself at least an hour outside, because meteor showers rarely perform on demand.
Best approach:
Find a dark location with a wide open view of the sky
Watch after 22:00, when Taurus is higher
Lie back on a reclining chair or insulated mat
Keep your phone dimmed and avoid white light
Look roughly east to south-east, then let your eyes roam
The Taurids are active over a long period, so nights either side of the peak are still worth trying if the weather is better.
Northern Taurids peak around 12 November
The Northern Taurids peak around 12 November. This also benefits from darker skies after the New Moon, although the waxing Moon will begin to add some light in the evening.
The Northern Taurids share the same general character as the Southern Taurids. They are slow compared with many shower meteors, and that makes them easier to catch by eye. If you see a meteor that seems to drift rather than zip, it may well be a Taurid.
The Taurids are quality-over-quantity showers. A quiet hour can be transformed by one bright fireball.
The Leonids bring speed and history
The Leonid meteor shower peaks on the night of 17 to 18 November. The Leonids are famous because, in some years, they have produced extraordinary meteor storms. Most years are much calmer, but the shower still has a special place in skywatching.
Leonid meteors are fast. They come from debris left by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle and appear to radiate from the constellation Leo. In November, Leo rises later in the night, so the best views usually come after midnight and improve towards dawn.
In 2026, the First Quarter Moon falls on 17 November. Moonlight may affect the evening, but the Moon sets later in the night, and the early morning hours can still be worthwhile.
For the best chance:
Start observing after midnight
Face a broad area of sky away from direct moonlight
Use only your eyes, not binoculars or a telescope
Stay outside long enough for your eyes to adapt
Keep warm enough that you are not tempted back indoors after ten minutes
Meteor watching is beautifully simple. You need darkness, patience and sky. A flask of tea may help too.
Planets to watch through November
November is also a strong month for planets. The exact appearance changes night by night, but the broad pattern is easy to follow across the UK.
The planets travel close to the same path through the sky as the Sun and Moon. This path is called the ecliptic. When several planets are visible in one night, they can seem to form a loose line across the sky. That is the real meaning of a planetary alignment for observers. It is a line-of-sight effect, not a sign that the planets are physically close together in space.
Saturn is the evening showpiece
Saturn remains one of the standout evening planets in November. Look towards the southern half of the sky after darkness falls. To the naked eye it looks like a steady, yellowish “star”. It does not twinkle as much as true stars because it shows a tiny disc rather than a pinpoint.
A small telescope changes everything. Saturn’s rings are among the finest sights in amateur astronomy. Even when the rings appear at a shallow angle, the view is memorable.
If you are using a telescope, let it cool outside for a while before observing. Warm air inside the tube can blur the image. Also wait for moments when the atmosphere steadies. Planet viewing often improves in brief flashes.
Uranus reaches a favourable season
Uranus is near opposition in late November, which means Earth lies roughly between Uranus and the Sun. Around opposition, a planet is usually at its brightest and visible for much of the night.
Uranus is technically near the limit of naked-eye visibility under excellent dark skies, but for most UK observers it is a binocular or telescope target. It appears as a tiny bluish-green point or disc. Do not expect drama, but do enjoy the fact that you are seeing a distant ice giant with your own eyes.
A stargazing app or printed finder chart will help. Start with a bright nearby pattern, then hop carefully from star to star.
Jupiter rises later and dominates the darker hours
Jupiter becomes increasingly rewarding as November progresses. It rises later in the evening and climbs higher after midnight. By the small hours, it can be one of the brightest objects in the sky.
Binoculars can show Jupiter’s four largest moons, first seen by Galileo: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. They look like tiny points lined up beside the planet. Their positions change from night to night, and sometimes from hour to hour.
A small telescope reveals cloud belts when the air is steady. Jupiter is bright, so you do not need a large instrument. Sharp focus and steady seeing matter more.
Mars improves towards the end of the month
Mars also becomes more interesting as the nights go on. It is not always spectacular, but its warm orange colour makes it easy to recognise once it clears the horizon.
In late November, look for Mars later at night or before dawn. Through a telescope, details can be subtle, and the view depends heavily on air steadiness. Through the naked eye, the pleasure is simpler: Mars looks unmistakably different from white or blue-white stars.
What to wear and take outside
UK November nights can be damp, cold and surprisingly draining if you stand still. The sky may be beautiful, but comfort decides how long you stay out.
Dress as if it is colder than the thermometer says. Stargazing is not like walking briskly. You are mostly stationary, often in an exposed place, and heat slips away quickly.
Good clothing choices include:
A warm hat that covers your ears
Gloves thin enough to adjust binoculars
A thick coat or insulated jacket
Thermal base layers if you own them
Wool or thermal socks
Waterproof boots for wet grass
A scarf or neck warmer
Useful observing kit:
Binoculars A 7x50, 8x42 or 10x50 pair works well for the Moon, star clusters and Jupiter’s moons.
Red-light torch Red light helps preserve night vision better than a bright white torch.
Reclining chair or camping mat This makes meteor watching far more comfortable.
Flask and snacks Warm drinks make a long session feel much easier.
Star app or printed chart Set apps to night mode and turn screen brightness down.
Notebook Recording meteors, Moon features or planet positions makes observing more engaging.
Avoid using telescopes for meteor showers. They show too narrow a patch of sky. Your eyes are the best meteor-hunting equipment you own.
How to choose a good UK observing spot
The best site is not always the most remote one. A safe, familiar place with a clear horizon can beat a darker site that feels awkward or exposed.
Look for:
Open views to the east and south
Shielding from streetlights and house lights
Firm ground underfoot
Safe parking or walking access
A place where you feel comfortable staying for an hour or more
Coasts, moorland edges, rural footpaths, reservoirs and country parks can all work well, as long as access is permitted after dark. If you live in a town, do not give up. The Moon, Jupiter, Saturn and bright constellations cut through light pollution well.
For meteor showers, darker is better. Try to get away from direct lights, even if you cannot reach a recognised dark-sky area. The difference between standing under a streetlamp and standing in the shadow of a hedge can be huge.
Small targets that make November feel special
Between the headline events, November has plenty of quieter treats.
The Pleiades, also called the Seven Sisters, climb high in the sky during the evening. To the naked eye they look like a tiny misty cluster. Binoculars turn them into a sparkling group of blue-white stars.
The Andromeda Galaxy is also well placed. From a dark sky it appears as a faint smudge. That smudge is another galaxy, far beyond the Milky Way. Binoculars make it easier to spot, especially around New Moon.
Later in the evening, Orion rises in the east. By late November, its three-star belt becomes a familiar winter marker. Below the belt sits the Orion Nebula, a glowing star-forming region that looks like a soft patch in binoculars.
These objects are reliable. They do not require perfect timing, only a clear sky and a little curiosity.
Make November your skywatching month
A good November skywatching plan does not need to be complicated. Pick three or four nights rather than trying to see everything.
Aim for the Taurids around 5 and 12 November, the New Moon dark-sky window around 9 November, the Leonids on 17 to 18 November, and the Full Moon on 24 November. Add Saturn, Jupiter and the returning winter constellations whenever the clouds allow.
The best part of the November Night Sky UK Guide: Meteor Showers, Planetary Alignments and Lunar Highlights is that many sights need no specialist kit at all. Step outside, let your eyes adjust, and look up for longer than you usually would.
One clear meteor, one sharp crater shadow, or one glimpse of Jupiter’s moons can turn a cold evening into a memory. November gives you plenty of chances. Keep a coat by the door, watch the forecast, and take the next clear night seriously.
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