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November is an ideal time for astrophotography enthusiasts, with long nights leading up to the upcoming solstice. While it may be getting colder down here on Earth, the sky above becomes clearer, creating opportunities for capturing stunning images of the celestial wonders. This month, in particular, promises some exciting events for astrophotographers.

One of the highlights is the best chance in 2023 to capture Jupiter. Although photographing the giant planet can be challenging, the rewards are immense. Jupiter will be at its closest to Earth, a mere 370 million miles away, resulting in increased brightness and visibility. An image of Jupiter will also reveal its Galilean moons, including Ganymede, Callisto, Europa, and Io.

Astrophotography is most successful when the moon is not present. On November 5th, the moon reaches its Last Quarter phase, rising after midnight. This marks the beginning of 12 moonless nights, providing optimal conditions for capturing the night sky until the waxing crescent moon starts to brighten on November 17th.

November offers two minor meteor showers, the Southern and Northern Taurids. While they may not have high meteor counts, they are known for producing bright fireballs throughout the month. The Taurus constellation, the source of these showers, will be above the eastern horizon around midnight. Keep an eye out for a 25%-lit crescent moon on November 5th and a barely-lit crescent moon on November 12th, both adding an extra touch to the photography experience.

A unique conjunction takes place between the moon and Venus on November 9th. The crescent moon will be in a ‘smiley face’ orientation, located very close to the bright planet Venus. This creates a perfect opportunity for a memorable shot, especially with the right camera lens settings.

Photographers can also capture the beauty of the crescent moon on three nights: November 15th, 16th, and 17th. Each night, the slim lunar crescent will be slightly brighter and positioned higher in the sky, providing astrophotographers with a wonderful target. Look out for the delicate ‘Earthshine’ on the moon’s darkened limb.

The Leonid meteor shower, known for occasional outbursts, is also worth planning for in November. Although it typically produces around 15 shooting stars per hour, it has been known to reach up to 100 per hour during enhanced displays. The dark moonless skies this year offer an excellent opportunity to capture the meteor shower’s characteristically bright meteors with long trails.

On November 19th and 20th, the moon will be in close proximity to Saturn. These nights provide a chance to photograph the 56% lit waxing gibbous moon beside the planet. Practicing a night earlier, on November 19th, will still allow photographers to capture a 44% lit moon approaching Saturn.

To end the month on a high note, be sure to witness the rise of the ‘Beaver Moon’ on November 27th. The full moon will appear in an orange hue during dusk, creating a stunning sight, especially when viewed from a location with a low horizon.

In summary, November 2023 offers a plethora of opportunities for astrophotography enthusiasts. From capturing Jupiter and its moons to witnessing meteor showers, conjunctions, and the rise of the full moon, there is something for everyone. Whether using wide-angle lenses or telescopes with high frame rate cameras, photographers can immortalize the celestial marvels that grace our night sky.

Definitions:
– Opposition: When a planet is directly opposite the sun in the sky, as seen from Earth.
– Last Quarter: The phase of the moon when it appears as half-lit, with the right half visible in the northern hemisphere and the left half visible in the southern hemisphere.
– Waxing Crescent: The phase of the moon that comes after the New Moon and before the First Quarter, characterized by a crescent shape becoming more illuminated each night.
– Gibbous: The phase of the moon when it is more than half but less than fully illuminated.
– ‘Beaver Moon’: A term used to describe the full moon in November, named after the time of year when beavers build their winter dams.

Sources:
– Night photography techniques, tips, and tricks
– Best CCD cameras for astrophotography
– How to photograph a meteor shower
– The best cameras for astrophotography
– When to photograph the moon
– Best star tracker camera mounts
– Best equatorial mounts
– How to photograph the full moon

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