November 2025
Compiled by John Panek
Monthly Highlights
We are sad to report on the passing of Albert H. Nagler on October 27. He will be missed, but his legacy lives on via the stunning views through his amazing eyepieces. More about his legacy here: https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/al-nagler-1935-2025/
The JWST has made the first detection of complex organic molecules (COMs) around a star in another galaxy. The MIRI instrument detected acetaldehyde, acetic acid, ethanol, methanol, methyl formate, and 14 other COMs around the massive protostar ST6 in the Large Magellanic Cloud. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/ae0ccd
A possible major shift in cosmology is brewing. Recent measurements by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument reveal a possible major shift in cosmology. A standard distance candle, the Type 1a supernova, may not be so standard and may depend on the age or their progenitor stars. More observations by the now operational Vera C. Rubin Observatory will allow for more definitive tests. https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/544/1/975/8281988?login=false
Get ready for the LEONIDS!!! Currently active and peaking on the night of November 16-17, a 9% crescent moon will not interfere.
SCAS CELEBRATES
HONOR THE NIGHT
Ancient cultures measured time by the Moon's phases, the days of each cycle counted out. They knew when the Moon would wax and wane. Who today is aware whether the Moon is crescent, full or gibbous? We no longer honor the night sky. On a retreat with preteen students, far enough from city lights to see the cosmos, on a night when bright Venus cast a shadow, we asked them to turn off their flashlights, let their eyes adjust, Trust their steps in starlight. We honored the night sky.
Juliane Mc Adam, retired middle school language teacher, CA
Lunar Timetable
Last Quarter November 12 12:28 am
New Moon November 20 12:47am 
First Quarter November 28, 12:58am
Full Moon November 5, 8:19amSOUTHERN CROSS OBSERVATION PAD
The popular free SOUTHERN CROSS OBSERVATION PAD HAS RE-OPENED in MIAMI-DADE BILL SADOWSKI Park! Come visit with us 7:30-10 p.m. Saturday's weather permitting. Bring `scopes & binocs, chairs, family, friends, colleagues, students, and bug repellent. Our SCAS Astros have introduced thousands to the awesome beauty of our seasonal night skies since 1986. Please dim headlights at the Park entrance SW 176 St./SW 79 Ave. 1/2 mile west of Old Cutler Road, Palmetto Bay 33157. The small parking lot is near the deck. Face masks are optional. Check the SCAS Facebook for weather/Holiday cancellations.
For astrophotography instruction visit our free D'AURIA outdoor observatory, Saturdays from dusk -10 P.M. 23325 SW 217 Avenue, Homestead 33031. Park outside the gate. No white lights, lanterns, lasers. litter, alcohol, or pets at both sites. For membership open www.scas.org
ENJOY SCAS PUBLIC STAR PARTIES: Weather permitting!
Saturday evenings dusk- 10 p.m.
SCAS Observation Pad in Miami-Dade Bill Sadowski Park SW 176 St./SW 79 Ave. Palmetto Bay 33157 free
D'Auria Observatory 23325 SW 217 Ave.dusk-10 p.m. astrophotograqphy information free No white lights, lanterns, lasers, litter, alcohol, or pets at either location.
METEOR SHOWERS THIS MONTH
TAURIDS
Both Southern (September 20 - November20) and Northern (October 20 - December 10) versions of this shower overlap and will be responsible for many fireball reports despite the full moon on November 5. Don't let the low ZHR of 5 for them both dissuade you - will you hear a sizzler originating from 2P/Encke?
LEONIDS
Active November 6 to November 30, Peaking November 16-17. From 55P/Tempel-Tuttle with a ZHR of 15. Moon only 9% should not interfere!
Open the link: News and Information about Meteor Showers
Here are some tips on how to maximize your time looking for meteors and fireballs during any meteor shower:
- Get out of the city to a place where the city and artificial lights do not impede your viewing
- If you are out viewing the shower during its peak, you will not need any special equipment. You should be able to see the shower with your naked eyes.
- Carry a blanket or a comfortable chair with you - viewing meteors, just like any other kind of stargazing is a waiting game, and you need to be comfortable. Plus, you may not want to leave until you can't see the majestic celestial fireworks anymore.
In case you missed it......
The 41st annual Winter Star Party was a great success! Many sleep-deprived but happy astronomers report: BEST PARTY EVER!
Don't take my word for it, read the first hand accounts over on Cloudy Nights: https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/941985-winter-star-party-2025/page-3
BRIGHT COMETS THIS MONTH
Still some good ones!
Evenings will show C/2025 A6 (Lemmon), at magnitude 3.8 near the beginning of this month, fading rapidly. Reports of fans, streamers, and other structures apparent at high magnification!
https://www.cobs.si/comet/2606/
Evenings will show C/2025 R2 (SWAN) beginning the month at magnitude 7.3, fading rapidly
https://www.cobs.si/comet/2659/
SCAS HAM RADIO
Recently, member Dan Zuckerman replaced and upgraded his ham equipment. He was chatting with folks in Europe.
Do we have some retired, or new SCAS ham operators who would like to establish a SCAS radio dept?
It could become very convenient, or necessary in certain future conditions. Consider the astronomy information shared and maybe international SCAS members!
Contact Barb if you wish to link up with Dan. barbyager@aol.com.
SOLAR VIEWING
Weather permitting SCAS needs solar telescopes at the "front door" to ZooMiami 12400 SW 152nd st, starting this month
There will be large crowds of families. Please contact barbyager@aol.com ASAP if you can bring equipment, We are restoring our popular solarviewing events at ZooMiami.
Plans need to be made in advance. Updates will be sent out to members soon.
Interested to join our new solar team? Contact: barbyager@aol.com . If you have solar equipment or want to help, please send an email to Dr. Lester Shalloway with your information: drlester3@aol.com.
IN THE SKY
Moon and Pleiades conjoin on October 9
Ceres reaches opposition on October 2, visible in binoculars in Cetus
Super Harvest Moon October 6, appearing bigger and brighter than usual as it passes through perigee
Saturn and Neptune are well placed in the east at sunset
Jupiter and Venus rise in the mornings
NASA/SPACE NEWS
NASA's IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) mission launched September 23 towards Earth-Sun Lagrange point L1 to study the heliosphere. Along for the ride to L1 with IMAP were two secondary payloads, Carruthers Geocorona Observatory and Space Weather Follow On – Lagrange 1 (SWFO-L1). Carruthers will study ultraviolet light emitted by the Earth’s outermost atmospheric layer, the exosphere. SWFO-L1 will monitor the sun continuously with quick early-warning data about the solar wind and energetic particles headed toward the Earth. (https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-noaa-launch-three-spacecraft-to-map-suns-influence-across-space/)
JAXA’s Kibo Experiment Module aboard the ISS launched 5 cubesats on September 19. Four of them contain scientific data or public outreach content broadcast on amateur radio bands, inviting global participation. https://humans-in-space.jaxa.jp/en/biz-lab/news/detail/004963.html
Evening Sights
October 6 - Final Titan shadow transit for this ring plane crossing cycle. These transits will not be visible again until the next edge-on period in 2039–2040. Starts at 4:31 UT with a duration of just over 2 hours, this will be a partial shadow only. https://www.universetoday.com/articles/astro-challenge-see-titans-shadow-cross-saturn#:~:text=Transits%20in%202025,a%20more%20generous%202.5%20degrees.
October 19 - Mercury and Mars conjunction. Low altitude makes them difficult to spot from the Northern Hemisphere, setting less than an hour after sunset
October 21 – Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) expected to be visible to the naked eye
October 25 - Venus passes Scorpius
All month – Saturn with nearly edge-on rings
Morning Sights
First half of October – Venus is low in the east
Lunar conjunctions:
October 6 near Saturn and Neptune
October 10 near the Pleiades
October 13 near Jupiter
October 19 – favorable conditions to see the faint, cone-shaped glow of the zodiacal light