NASA Highlights Skywatching Events and Voyager 1 Milestone for November 2026
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory released its skywatching guide for November 2026, outlining several events visible to people on Earth. Skywatchers can observe three distinct meteor showers throughout the month, starting with the Southern Taurids around November 5, followed by the Northern Taurids on November 12, and the Leonids on November 17 and 18. On November 15 and 16, Mars and Jupiter will appear just 1.2 degrees apart in the southeastern morning sky before sunrise. Later in the month, on November 24, a full supermoon will rise, marking the first of three consecutive monthly supermoons. In addition to these events, NASA announced a milestone for Voyager 1. The spacecraft will become the first human-made object to travel one light-day from Earth, meaning radio signals require 24 hours to reach it and another 24 hours to return. NASA will hold an activation event called Shine Bright for Voyager’s Light-Day on November 17.
What was announced
NASA outlined a series of celestial events and a spacecraft milestone occurring in November 2026. The agency detailed three meteor showers. The Southern Taurids peak around November 5, followed by the Northern Taurids around November 12. Both Taurid showers offer about five meteors per hour under ideal conditions, along with occasional bright fireballs, which are unusually bright meteors. The Leonid meteor shower peaks before dawn on November 17 and 18, producing up to around 15 meteors per hour after the Moon sets.
On November 15 and 16, viewers looking southeast before sunrise can see Mars and Jupiter close together. The planets will appear roughly 1.2 degrees apart, which is slightly more than the width of two full Moons. NASA also announced that Voyager 1 will cross a major distance mark this month, becoming the first human-made craft to reach one light-day from Earth. Finally, November 24 brings a full supermoon, starting a streak of three supermoons in three straight months.
What it means
Ordinary skywatchers do not need specialized equipment to see most of these phenomena. Mars and Jupiter are visible to the naked eye, appearing near each other from Earth's perspective even though they remain far apart in space. Viewing the meteor showers works best from dark locations after allowing eyes roughly 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
The supermoon happens because the Moon moves along a slightly oval orbit around Earth. When full Moon status aligns with the Moon's closer approach, it looks somewhat larger and brighter. A visual phenomenon called the Moon illusion can make the Moon seem even larger when it sits close to the horizon. Meanwhile, Voyager 1's milestone measures space distance in light-travel time. A light-day is the distance light travels in 24 hours. Because of this gap, sending a command to Voyager 1 and receiving a response takes a total of 48 hours.
What the announcement does not tell us
The release does not explain specific activities planned for the Shine Bright for Voyager’s Light-Day event on November 17, directing readers to a website instead. It does not state the exact day or time Voyager 1 reaches the one light-day distance. Additionally, NASA does not provide localized weather forecasts or light pollution maps to help viewers find clear, dark skies for meteor watching.
How this was written
This analysis was written with AI from the official announcement below, using only facts that announcement states. The quoted wording is NASA News Releases’s own. Always check the original before acting on anything here.
Meteor Showers, a Spacecraft Milestone, and a Supermoon Catch Taurid and Leonid meteors, spot Mars near Jupiter, celebrate Voyager 1’s light-day milestone, and watch November’s supermoon. Skywatching Highlights Transcript A month of meteor showers … a close pairing of Mars and Jupiter … and a supermoon! That’s What’s Up for November. November offers a buffet […]
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