What's in the Sky November 2025
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Time to read 2 min
Hello Stargazers!
As the long nights of late autumn return, November 2025 brings a rich mix of celestial sights for skywatchers across Ontario. From the year’s largest full Moon to the fiery Leonid meteor shower and crisp views of Jupiter and Saturn, this month’s skies will not disappoint. Grab your binoculars, a warm coat, and maybe a cup of hot cocoa — here’s your guide for what to see overhead this November.
November 1–2: Mercury’s Best Evening Appearance
Early November offers your best chance this year to spot Mercury in the evening twilight.
When to look: Just after sunset, around 6:15 p.m. EST.
Where: Low in the southwest, roughly 10° above the horizon.
What you’ll see: A small, bright “star” shining against the fading twilight glow. Binoculars help before Mercury sets (~6:50 p.m.)
November 5: Full “Beaver” Moon — The Year’s Biggest!
The Full Moon of November — also called the Beaver Moon — occurs when the Moon reaches perigee (its closest point to Earth), making it the largest full Moon of 2025.
- Moonrise: 6:08 p.m. EST
- Peak illumination: At 1:19 p.m. EST (Nov 5) but visible all night long.
- Viewing tip: Catch it as it rises in the east just after sunset for the “moon illusion” effect, when it appears enormous and golden.
November 8 – 12: Taurid Fireballs
The Southern Taurids (Nov 3–4) and Northern Taurids (Nov 8–12) create a slow but spectacular meteor display, known for bright fireballs rather than quantity.
Peak window: Nov 9 – 11 after 9 p.m. until midnight.
Radiant: Near the constellation Taurus, high in the southeast after 10 p.m.
Viewing tip: Even though the Moon will still be bright, the Taurids’ slow, long trails make them worth watching.
November 17 – 18: The Leonid Meteor Shower Peak
The Leonids are one of the most anticipated meteor showers each year, created by dust from Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. In 2025, the timing is ideal — the Moon will be only 4 days past new, giving dark skies for meteor watching.
Best time: After midnight to pre-dawn (12:30 a.m.–5:30 a.m.) on Nov 18.
Expected rate: 10–15 meteors/hour under dark conditions.
Direction: Look east toward the constellation Leo, but meteors can appear anywhere in the sky.
November 18: New Moon
The New Moon occurs on November 18 at 6:27 a.m. EST, providing the darkest skies of the month. Perfect for spotting faint galaxies and nebulae or extending your Leonid meteor session into the early hours.
November 20–30: Evening Planets and Winter Constellations
As nights deepen:
Jupiter shines brightly in the eastern sky by 8:30 p.m. and climbs high after midnight — a perfect telescopic target.
Saturn glows golden in the south-southwest after sunset, setting around 11 p.m.
Mars rises just before dawn (~5 a.m.) in Gemini.
By late month, the Winter Hexagon — Orion, Taurus, Canis Major, Auriga, Gemini and Canis Minor — dominates the night sky.
Deep Sky Objects to View in November
Dark mid-month skies open the door for Ontario observers to enjoy:
M31 — Andromeda Galaxy: Visible with the naked eye in dark skies.
M45 — Pleiades (Seven Sisters): A glittering open cluster high overhead.
M42 — Orion Nebula: The jewel of Orion’s sword, visible even in binoculars.
M1 — Crab Nebula (Taurus): A supernova remnant near ζ Tauri, visible in moderate scopes.
M37, M36, M38 in Auriga: A trio of beautiful open clusters for telescopes or large binoculars.
Tips for Observing
Bundle up! Nights can drop below 0 °C — layers, gloves, and a thermos of tea help.
Head to dark skies: Try sites north of the GTA such as Forks of the Credit Provincial Park or Torrance Barrens.
Plan your sessions: Mid-month (Nov 17 – 20) offers dark skies and meteor activity.
Use red-light flashlights to protect night vision.
Allow 20–30 minutes for your eyes to adapt fully.
A Month to Remember
With Mercury’s elusive appearance, the grand Beaver Moon, glowing Taurid fireballs, and a dark-sky Leonid meteor show, November 2025 is a celestial celebration. As winter constellations begin to climb and frost coats the fields, the sky above Ontario sparkles in serene beauty.
So mark your calendars, set your alarms, and wrap up warm — the universe is putting on quite a show this November.
Clear skies, everyone! 🌌