Derekscope

• The Moon will be in its First Quarter phase, reaching exact alignment 50% disk illumination at 07.38 / 7.38am in the constellation Aquarius.
  o
• The Moon will be well-placed in the southern sky during the evening hours.
  o
• Sunset is around 16:00 / 4pm, so the Moon will be visible shortly after twilight.
  o
• Capturing lunar features like craters and mountain ranges along the terminator ~ great for astrophotography.
  o

Algol Minima

o

• The bright variable star Beta Persei (Algol) reaches its minimum brightness at 23:07 pm in the late night on Thursday 27th November and will be visible from the UK.
  o
• Here’s a list of upcoming minimum brightness times for Algol – read more.

oooo

Algol
The bright variable Star Algol
reaches minimum brightness.
(23:07 / 11.07pm)
o

• The bright variable Star Beta Persei (Algol) reaches minimum brightness.
  o
• This variable star in Perseus varies from its brightest at magnitude +2.1, dropping to +3.4.
  o
• Even when dimmed, Algol is still visible to the naked eye.
  o
• Here’s a list of upcoming minimum brightness times for Algol that are well-placed for UK observers in November 2025.
  o
• Read more – Algol
  – How to find Algol in Perseus?
  – Deaf astronomer John Goodricke

oooo

Algol Minima

o

• The bright variable star Beta Persei (Algol) reaches its minimum brightness at 02:19 am in the early morning on Tuesday 25th November and will be visible from the UK.
  o
• Here’s a list of upcoming minimum brightness times for Algol – read more.

oooo

Ganymede’s shadow on Jupiter

• On the night of Monday 24th into the early hours of Tuesday 25th November 2025, Ganymede’s shadow will transit across Jupiter’s disc, creating a striking celestial event visible from parts of Earth.
  o
• Use a telescope with decent magnification to spot the shadow ~ it appears as a crisp, dark dot against Jupiter’s bright surface.
  o

Algol Minima

o

• The bright variable star Beta Persei (Algol) reaches its minimum brightness at 02:19 am in the early morning on Tuesday 25th November and will be visible from the UK.
  o
• Here’s a list of upcoming minimum brightness times for Algol – read more.

oooo

Algol
o

• The bright variable star Beta Persei (Algol) reaches its minimum brightness at 05:29 am in the early morning on Saturday 22nd November and will be visible from the UK.
  o
• Here’s a list of upcoming minimum brightness times for Algol – read more.

oooo

Titan transits Saturn tonight

• Tonight offers a stunning view: Titan hovering near the curve of Saturn’s rings.
  o
• Astrophotography opportunity to glimpse Titan near Saturn’s rings.
  o

Here’s a guide to star-hopping your way to Uranus

• Uranus reaches opposition on 21st November at 12.17pm.
  o
• Uranus is closest to Earth for the year around 1.7 billion miles away.
  o
• You’ll likely need binoculars to spot it, so use nearby stars as guideposts to ‘hop’ your way to Uranus.
  o
• Because it’s a dim planet, binoculars or a telescope are recommended, and star-hopping from Messier 45 (The Pleiades) in the constellation Taurus can help you locate it.
  o

• Mercury reaches inferior solar conjunction on Thursday 20th November 2025 at 09:19am, becoming unobservable as it passes between Earth and the Sun.
  o
• Mercury is completely unobservable for several weeks due to solar glare.
  o
• Mercury will re-emerge in the pre-dawn sky in early December, becoming a morning object.
  o
• So wait until mid-December when Mercury gains altitude and separation from the Sun for safe and rewarding observation.
  o