Look up! The possibilities are endless.
― Carl Sagan, Cosmos
Asteroid 2015 TB145 passed about 300,000 miles (485,000 km) from Earth on Halloween, or roughly 1.3 times the distance to the Moon. The Arecibo radio telescope obtained this view of the asteroid on October 30.
Stargazing Summary
Taurus climbs high across the sky on November nights, reaching its zenith around midnight late in the month. The bull is marked by its orange eye, which stands at one point of its V-shaped face, and by the Pleiades star cluster at its sparkly shoulder. Orion and Gemini climb skyward earlier each evening, and by month's end are in good view by 9 p.m. or so. And on the other side of the sky, the Summer Triangle drops from sight by late evening.
More stargazing information »
More stargazing information »
Next Meteor Shower
The next meteor shower is the Leonids on the night of November 17. The Moon sets well before midnight, so it won't interfere with the shower, which is best in the hours before dawn on November 18.
More information »
More information »
Radio Program Highlights
If you want to start hearing the StarDate program in your area, you can request a station to carry our program by emailing the request to stations@stardate.org.
November 2-8: Beautiful death. When a star dies, it may expire in beautiful fashion — by surrounding itself with a colorful bubble of gas, or with debris from a titanic explosion. Join us for the last gasp of a dying star, plus the Moon and some beautiful companions.
November 9-15: The Seven Sisters. The Pleiades is climbing into view in the evening sky, and we'll have details on this beautiful star cluster and some of its more interesting stars. And we'll also talk about its role in weather forecasting. Join us for the Pleiades and more.
November 16-22: Planet bonanza. Most of the planets in other star systems discovered so far are in a small patch of the sky — along one side of the Summer Triangle. We'll explain why that's the case. We'll also talk about the un-steady North Star and more.
November 23-29: Gravity. Albert Einstein presented his theory of gravity a century ago this week, and we'll have details. We'll also talk about the consequences of that theory, including black holes and ripples in space and time. Join us for general relativity and more.
November 30-December 6: Moon meanderings. The Moon passes by some impressive lights in the morning sky this week, including three bright planets, and we'll have details. We'll also talk about one of the icons of winter climbing into the evening sky. Join us for this and more.
Program schedule »
Hear StarDate every day on more than 330 radio stations nationwide. Find an affiliate »
November 2-8: Beautiful death. When a star dies, it may expire in beautiful fashion — by surrounding itself with a colorful bubble of gas, or with debris from a titanic explosion. Join us for the last gasp of a dying star, plus the Moon and some beautiful companions.
November 9-15: The Seven Sisters. The Pleiades is climbing into view in the evening sky, and we'll have details on this beautiful star cluster and some of its more interesting stars. And we'll also talk about its role in weather forecasting. Join us for the Pleiades and more.
November 16-22: Planet bonanza. Most of the planets in other star systems discovered so far are in a small patch of the sky — along one side of the Summer Triangle. We'll explain why that's the case. We'll also talk about the un-steady North Star and more.
November 23-29: Gravity. Albert Einstein presented his theory of gravity a century ago this week, and we'll have details. We'll also talk about the consequences of that theory, including black holes and ripples in space and time. Join us for general relativity and more.
November 30-December 6: Moon meanderings. The Moon passes by some impressive lights in the morning sky this week, including three bright planets, and we'll have details. We'll also talk about one of the icons of winter climbing into the evening sky. Join us for this and more.
Program schedule »
Hear StarDate every day on more than 330 radio stations nationwide. Find an affiliate »
This Month in StarDate Magazine
Our November/December issue brings you up to date on a plethora of research projects working to understand the Sun. And we explain how astronomers from the Renaissance through the Enlightenment used Europe's great cathedrals as solar observatories.
Subscribe today
Subscribe today
News from the Observatory
Astronomer Daniel Jaffe Named VP for Research at UT Austin
Professor of Astronomy Daniel Jaffe has been appointed vice president for research at The University of Texas at Austin. He will assume that position on January 16, 2016. Jaffe played a leading role in establishing the university's partnership in the Giant Magellan Telescope. While serving as vice president, Jaffe will continue his research into the formation of stars and planetary systems, as well as building one of the instruments for GMT.
Professor of Astronomy Daniel Jaffe has been appointed vice president for research at The University of Texas at Austin. He will assume that position on January 16, 2016. Jaffe played a leading role in establishing the university's partnership in the Giant Magellan Telescope. While serving as vice president, Jaffe will continue his research into the formation of stars and planetary systems, as well as building one of the instruments for GMT.
Ask an Astronomer
Curious about astronomy? Have a burning question about the universe that you'd like answered? We are a team of graduate students, postdocs, researchers and faculty affiliated with the University of Texas and McDonald Observatory. We welcome questions about astronomy from K-12 students, teachers and the general public!
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About SkyTips
SkyTips is a monthly email newsletter for visitors to McDonald Observatory and StarDate Online. Each issue features stargazing highlights, upcoming StarDate radio program descriptions, and other news. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends and family.
SkyTips is a publication of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory Education and Outreach Office, 2609 University Ave. A2100, Austin, TX 78712. Reproduction of SkyTips content is permitted with proper credit given to McDonald Observatory.
SkyTips is a publication of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory Education and Outreach Office, 2609 University Ave. A2100, Austin, TX 78712. Reproduction of SkyTips content is permitted with proper credit given to McDonald Observatory.
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