Derekscope

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November Full Moon in the UK – “Moon before Yule“
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• In traditional lore, the Moon before Yule refers to the last Full Moon before the winter solstice, often associated with preparation, reflection, and the gathering of light before the longest night.
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• “Yule” is the ancient celebration as marks the Winter Solstice, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year ~ typically around 21st December in the UK.

• If December’s Full Moon occurs after the solstice (as it does in 2025, on Thursday 4th December), then November’s Full Moon earns the title “Moon Before Yule”.
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• Traditional Full Moon Names and their Meanings
  – Full Moon names reflect seasonal changes and natural rhythms observed by early cultures, particularly those influenced by UK colonial traditions and Native American heritage.
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  – Learn more about traditional Full Moon Names and their Meanings ~ Read more.
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Algol
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• The bright variable star Beta Persei (Algol) reaches its minimum brightness at 00:35 am in the early morning on Wednesday 5th November and will be visible from the UK.
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• Here’s a list of upcoming minimum brightness times for Algol – read more.
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Describing the visual differences between two nights

(Click on any of the photos below to enlarge them.)

• The Moon and Saturn pairing on Saturday 1st at 22:30 is striking, especially with the silhouetted trees grounding the celestial scene in a landscape.
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• Contrast to the first night’s view (top left) ~ the Moon and Saturn still shine through, nestled in Aquarius.

• Saturn appeared as a small disc with no visible rings through binoculars tonight due to the Moon’s glare, but the rings were still detectable with a large telescope but almost invisible in telescope images (see above).
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• Referring to the post from 1st November about the Moon appearing close to Saturn, and that I’ve enclosed two photos from each night above.
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• Mercury’s evening apparition in November 2025 is not especially notable for UK observers.
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• Low altitude ~ Mercury only reaches about 5° above the western horizon at sunset on 2nd and 3rd November, that’s quite low, making it hard to spot without a clear view.
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• Mars & Mercury ~ Mercury is near Mars in Scorpius, but both are low and not easily visible together.
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Moon & Saturn

• Captured in the evening sky, with Saturn glowing gently to the left of the Moon.
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• Exceptionally brightness ~ the Moon in Pisces, is the second brightest object in the sky after the Sun.
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• Saturn in Aquarius, is visible to the naked eye, but much dimmer than the Moon around 10,000 times fainter.
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Moon & Saturn

• Moon & Saturn, both will be visible until around midnight, reaching their highest point near 21:00 / 9.00pm.
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• Saturn won’t twinkle like stars – it glows steadily.
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• Using a binocular, a great way to enhance the view ~ you might glimpse Saturn’s oval shape.
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The Orionid Meteor Shower stills active
now until Friday 7th November 2025.
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• Thursday 2nd October thru Saturday 22nd November 2025
  The Orionid Meteor Shower officially begins on 2nd October, launching a few weeks of “shooting stars.”, running through 7th November 2025.
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• More read – Radiant position
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Mercury at greatest elongation west

• Mercury will reach its greatest eastern elongation, meaning it will be farthest from the Sun in the evening sky.
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• Look in the western sky, shortly after sunset.
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• Mercury’s low position in the autumn evening sky will make it difficult to see, particularly from the UK.
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• Clocks go backward an hour at 2am on the last Sunday this month.
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• At 2am British Summer Time, the clock goes backward to 01:00UT (Universal Times).
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