PARADE OF PLANETS • November 2026

OUR EARLY EVENING PLANET
Saturn is halfway up in the southeast 90 minutes after sunset in Pisces (a fainter constellation). This is about the brightest it gets in the sky, not too bright, but the brightest “star” in that part of the sky. And, this is a good time to view it in a telescope!

LATE “NIGHT”
Both Jupiter and Mars rise close together in the east around midnight in the constellation Leo. Mars will start to brighten significantly in January as it gets closer to Earth, something that happens every 26 months and at these times it will appear large enough (but still smaller) in telescopes to see its various features. This occurs in February 2027—it will be a very bright early evening “star” at this time, rivaling Jupiter in brightness. Jupiter is alway the second brightest “star” in the sky (you can’t miss it)—the first is Venus. It is a favorite in a telescope, even a small one because the four Galilean moons are always visible as well as the two equatorial and parallel bands on its cloud “surface.” The Great Red Spot is not easy to recognize anymore because its color is pale and blends in with its surroundings.

A MORNING “STAR”
Venus has become a true morning star after transitioning from early evening. It rises about 2.5 hours before the Sun. And, it is alway magnificent because it is always so much brighter than any star in the sky including the bright planet Jupiter.

Remember • Twinkle Factor
The planets DO NOT normally twinkle like stars unless they are very close to the horizon or the atmosphere is extremely turbulent. So, even thought Saturn is not very bright, it is easier to identify because it does not twinkle. And, Mars is the same but every 26 months, it gets very bright and can't be missed. Mars also has a red tint to it.

SKY 
WATCH
There should be a naked eye NOVA star showing for a few days in the night sky sometime during the next year. Click here for more information.