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| FirstLight is the official, monthly publication of the Alachua Astronomy Club (AAC), Gainesville, Florida USA. Copyright © 1987-99. All rights reserved. |
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November Celestial Specials
by Howard L. Cohen
Cool and hopefully clear autumn nights this November bring several notable celestial events for sky watchers
Sky watchers should look carefully at this month's sky calendar. Besides usual November events, several items bear scrutiny. First, early in November, Venus reaches its largest angular displacement east of the Sun (called greatest elongation east), a 47 degree angle. (This planetary jewel reaches greatest brilliancy on December 11.) Look for the dominance of Venus in the southeast sky during evening twilight and be prepared for an increase in people dialing 911 to report a UFO!
Second, Jupiter has treated earthly observers to several double shadow transits by its Galilean satellites this year. Often these events occur during daylight. This November, three multiple transits occur. This first two should be visible in North Florida during early evening before Jupiter sets. In addition, the second transit (evening of November 10) is triple involving three of Jupiter's four large satellites (Io, Ganymede and Callisto respectively). See the November 1997 issues of Astronomy, page 70, or Sky and Telescope, page 104, for detailed descriptions. Use a small telescope to see this event.
Next, about one hour after sunset in Gainesville on November 11, the near full moon occults Saturn. (See Astronomy, November 1997, page 73.) Reappearance occurs about 55 minutes later. (Times given are approximate.) Look for this stunning event as the Moon hides the ringed planet for nearly an hour! Use binoculars or a small telescope.
Finally, the Leonid Meteor shower peaks about one hour before sunrise on November 17. Although the Moon will only be three days past full, this shower is again nearing peak activity, an event with a thirty-three year cycle! Peak years should occur from 1997 to 2001 with best activity probably in 1998 or 1999. The last time the Leonids peaked (1966), the zenith hourly rate (ZHR) reached approximately 150,000 for about one hour for observers in dark skies! Again see the November issues of Astronomy (page 71) or Sky and Telescope (pages 102–104) for details.
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