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Lights in November sky

Some people today may think they have very strange guests coming to dinner when they see lights in the November sky.

Two brilliant lights grace the southwest sky after sunset this month. They are moving like planets should in orbit around the sun. These lights are the brightest planets – Venus and Jupiter – that can be seen from Earth. And Venus is so close to the sun, it will move quickly, passing near the slower and dimmer king of the planets, Jupiter. Maine skywatchers can see the separation between the two shrink until they come within 2 degrees of each other – equal to two finger-widths held at arm’s length – on Nov. 30.

The alien quality of this phenomenon has prompted more than one phone call from curious observers to the University of Maine’s Jordan Planetarium, said planetarium director Alan Davenport.

“A tiny bright light seen low in the open, dim sky may seem to drift and jump around due to a trick of the eye known as ‘auto-kinetic motion,'” he said. “Even stranger, the constant planets don’t shine steadily when seen low in the sky. Twinkling can be seen with dimmer planets. Bright planets like Venus will often appear to change color as their light is refracted through Earth’s turbulent atmosphere.”

Although these bright lights may change color and move about, he said recently, residents can “rest assured the only aliens coming to Thanksgiving dinner are the in-laws they have had close encounters with before.”

Venus was 16 degrees from Jupiter on Nov. 14, but moved enough daily to pass 2 degrees below the giant planet by Sunday, Nov. 30. On that day, a slim new moon crescent will join them, but the most stunning scene will be Monday, Dec. 1. On that day, a crescent moon, Venus and Jupiter will form a group just 3 degrees across.

For information, visit www.GalaxyMaine.com or call 581-1341.