Mars and Jupiter will narrow to a distance of about 1.2 degrees in the eastern sky on November 15–16, 2026, appearing roughly twice the width of a full moon as part of a busy month of astronomical events visible across Indonesia, afu.id reported.
Southern and Northern Taurid Meteor Showers Peak in November
The November skywatching calendar opens with the Southern Taurid meteor shower peaking on November 4–5, followed by the Northern Taurid peak on November 11–12, according to afu.id. CNN Indonesia reported that the Taurid showers produce roughly 5 to 10 meteors per hour and originate from two separate debris streams left by Asteroid 2004 TG10 and Comet 2P Encke. A new moon phase on November 9 darkens the night sky just ahead of the Northern Taurid peak, improving visibility for observers away from city lights.
Mars and Jupiter Conjunction in Leo
On November 15–16, Jupiter will shine a bright white while Mars appears dimmer with a reddish hue as the two planets rise past midnight in the constellation Leo, afu.id reported. Disway noted that the planetary pair will be observable about an hour before dawn on November 16, requiring no telescope unless viewers wish to examine planetary surfaces.
Leonid Meteor Shower Peak
The Leonid meteor shower reaches its peak from the night of November 17 through dawn on November 18, producing 10 to 15 fast meteors per hour under dark skies, afu.id reported. CNN Indonesia added that the Leonids originate from dust grains dropped by Comet Tempel-Tuttle, discovered in 1865, which produces a major cyclical outburst every 33 years.
Mercury Reaches Greatest Elongation as Venus Shines Nearby
Mercury reaches its greatest western elongation on November 21 at 07:31 Western Indonesia Time, positioning itself about 20 degrees from the Sun in the morning sky, afu.id reported. MerahPutih noted that Venus will shine brightly nearby in the pre-dawn sky on November 19, sitting alongside the star Spica to offer an aesthetic observational pairing.
Supermoon Peaks Alongside Pleiades Star Cluster Approach
A full moon peaks on November 24 at 21:53 Western Indonesia Time, classified as a supermoon because it coincides with the Moon reaching its closest point to Earth, afu.id reported. CNN Indonesia noted this event is also known in traditional folklore as the Frost Moon or Dark Moon, while afu.id stated the lunar disk will appear close to the Pleiades star cluster that night.
Late-November Planetary Alignment
On November 29–30, the Moon joins Jupiter and Mars near Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo, in the eastern pre-dawn sky, afu.id reported. Disway noted that this final alignment of the month offers a last chance to observe multiple planetary bodies within a single field of view before December.
Frequently Asked Questions About November 2026 Skywatching
What equipment is required to view the November planetary conjunctions?
No telescope is needed to observe the close approach of Mars and Jupiter or the planetary alignments, as afu.id notes they are visible to the naked eye from locations with minimal light pollution.
How many meteors can observers expect during the Leonid peak?
The Leonid meteor shower produces approximately 10 to 15 fast meteors per hour under dark skies between midnight and dawn on November 17–18, according to afu.id.
When does Mercury reach its greatest western elongation in November 2026?
Mercury reaches its greatest western elongation on November 21 at 07:31 Western Indonesia Time, sitting roughly 20 degrees from the Sun, afu.id reported.
Why is the November 24 full moon classified as a supermoon?
The full moon on November 24 is a supermoon because it occurs while the Moon is near its closest point to Earth, causing it to appear slightly larger and brighter than a typical full moon, according to afu.id.
The November 15–16 planetary pairing features Mars and Jupiter in the eastern sector of the night sky.
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