Mercury cannot be seen as it reaches inferior conjunction, passing between the sun and Earth on November 8th. However, it can be seen for 5 hours transiting, or crossing the face of the sun. Use a solar filter and watch the dark dot of Mercury cross the sun’s bright face in the late afternoon. Mercury will return in the predawn sky rising in the east before the end of the month.

Venus can’t be seen this month as it reached superior conjunction (behind the sun as seen from Earth) on October 27th. Venus will reappear in the evening sky but not until December. Venus looks like a very bright white star.

Mars cannot be seen until the very end of the month rising in the southeastern sky within an hour before sunrise. Mars isn’t very bright, and can be seen to the lower left of Mercury on November 30th. Mars looks like a ruddy-colored star.

Jupiter can be seen by the end of the month rising about a half hour before the sun in the southeastern sky. Jupiter is bright and can be seen about 5° below and to the left of Mars. Jupiter looks like a bright, yellow-colored star.

Saturn can be seen rising in the northeastern sky around midnight in the constellation Leo (the Lion) near the bright star Regulus (the Heart of the Lion) or the tip of the backward question mark. Saturn rises earlier every night. Saturn is the only evening planet this month. Saturn and its rings are great to view this month as it reaches western quadrature. Saturn looks like a bright amber-colored star.