Derekscope

Algol
The bright variable Star Beta Persei (Algol)
reaches minimum brightness.
(21:24 / 9.24pm)
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• The bright variable Star Beta Persei (Algol) reaches minimum brightness at 21:24 pm p21:24 m in the early evening on Monday 10th 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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Moon & M45

• The Pleiades is bright enough to be seen without equipment, but the Moon’s glare may reduce visibility.
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• Using binoculars ~ highly recommended to resolve individual stars in the cluster and watch the occultation unfold.
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• For challenging that’s a great opportunity for wide-field shots or time-lapse sequences showing the Moon approaching and passing through the cluster.
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• Comet 24P/Schaumasse is on track to pass through Messier 44 (the Beehive Cluster) in Cancer between 7th and 10th November 2025, offering a rare and poetic alignment for UK observers.
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• The comet’s apparent magnitude is expected to be around +17, so it will require moderate to large telescopes and dark skies to observe clearly.
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• Try long-exposure astrophotography to capture the comet’s subtle glow against the glittering Beehive backdrop.
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• This is a rare!
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• Because Titan’s orbit aligns with Saturn’s equatorial plane only when Saturn’s rings are edge-on from Earth’s perspective.
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• This month – November, you can find Saturn in the constellation Aquarius, rising in the east during the early evening and setting in the west before dawn.

Starts now!

The Leonid meteor Shower is active
(Begins: 6th November – Ends: 22nd November 2025)
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• The Leonid meteor shower is beginning active from Wednesday 6th November to Saturday 22nd November 2025, with its peak expected on the night of Sunday 16th thru Monday 17th November.
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• Radiant position – read more
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The Moon at perigee

• The Moon will reach perigee, its closest point to Earth, at 22:16 GMT today.
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• Already quite large and bright in the constellation Aries, as it’s approaching full phase and perigee.
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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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