November 2006

Jupiter and Venus are in close conjuction on the 15th, but this is not a sight to behold. Those planets plus Mars are too close to the sun to see this month. Saturn remains a morning object in Leo next to the lion's head rising earlier each night. Watch the crescent moon pass by the ringed planet and Regulus around the 13th. If not for a rare event, this might seem like a dull month for planet watching. Mercury will cross the face of the sun November 8th. In the western hemisphere, the transit occurs during the afternoon. It's still in progress at sunset in most of the Americas. The entire transit is visible from most of the Pacific. For most of Australia and eastern Asia, the transit is in progress at sunrise. Late in November, Mercury rises mornings in Libra in the twilight.

Those looking for a fun challenge can try to find Uranus in Aquarius. It is a faint blue dot next to Lambda Aquarii.

For more information on the transit of Mercury, visit this link to the transits page.