Stargazing in November: A sky of heavenly shenanigans

After traipsing left to right for the past four months, in late November Jupiter slows to a standstill, and then reverses its course, writes Nigel Henbest

Jupiter is set for a change of course (NASA/JPL/University of Arizona)

You can’t miss brilliant Mars over in the east, its warm colour cheering up these dank November evenings. The Red Planet is currently moving slowly but surely against the stars that form the familiar constellation of Taurus (the Bull). Early astronomers around the world knew that planets like Mars are restless inhabitants of the night sky, and the word “planet” actually derives from the Greek for “wanderer”.

If you’re keeping more than a casual eye on Mars, though, you’ll notice its path through the heavens has changed. For months the red planet has been moving right to left, but a few days ago it ground to a halt, and Mars is now travelling from left to right across the sky.

The other brilliant planet on view, Jupiter, is about to do the opposite. After traipsing left to right for the past four months, in late November the giant planet slows to a standstill, and then reverses its course.