The Planets

Jupiter is low in the SW at dusk, it is hidden by the sun's glare by the close of the month.
By mid-month, ruddy Mars rises about 10 p.m. and can be viewed high in the SW before dawn.
Saturn is high in the southern sky at dawn.
Venus is high in the SE at dawn.

The Moon

Last Quarter: November 1
New Moon: November 9
First Quarter: November 17
Full Moon: November 24

Constellation of the Month: Auriga the Charioteer

Auriga (oh-RYE-gah) doesn't look like a charioteer, but rather a badly distorted pentagon. Greek myths identify Auriga as Erichthonius, the son of Hephaestos and Athene. Erichthonius was cripple (like his father) and invented the four-horse chariot so that he could get from place to place.

For this useful invention Zeus rewarded Erichthonius by placing his image in the sky as the constellation Auriga.

Auriga is also seen as a goatherd. In fact, the bright star in Auriga, Capella, is known as the goatherd's or shepherd's star. Capella represents a goat being held by Auriga on his left shoulder.

How to find Auriga: Face northeast about 7:30 p.m. The bright star is Capella, and the constellation Auriga is formed by a pentagon of stars.

Events

• November 2:  See four planets. Pre-dawn finds Mars right of the Moon to the SW, Saturn left of the Moon SSE, Venus is lower in the sky to the SE. Perhaps you             can spot Mercury rising in the E at around 7:30.
• November 12: At dusk, Jupiter is upper right of the Moon.
• November 18: early A.M. Leonid Meteor Shower. Best viewed after the moon has set             from a dark location (up to 10 per hour) .
• November 23: Pleiades lower left of Moon.
• November 26: P.M. Mars near the Moon