November 3, 2026: Find the crescent moon near Jupiter, Mars, and Regulus before sunrise. See Venus near Spica and observe Saturn through a telescope after sunset.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Chicago, Illinois: Sunrise, 6:26 a.m. CDT; Sunset, 4:42 p.m. CST. Times are calculated by the US Naval Observatory’s MICA computer program. Check local sources for sunrise and sunset times.
Today’s Highlights
- Moon Joins Jupiter, Mars, and Regulus
- Venus Emerges from Bright Sunlight
- Saturn Easily Observed
Moon Joins Jupiter, Mars, and Regulus
Step outside an hour before sunrise, looking toward the southeast. The crescent moon, 31% illuminated, is over halfway from the horizon to overhead. Jupiter is the “bright star” to its upper right. Their separation is 8.9°. Leo’s bright star is between them. Mars is 4.8° to Jupiter’s upper right. The Mars-Moon gap is 12.6°.
Mars marches eastward, slowly overtaking Jupiter, as their conjunction approaches on November 16. It passes Regulus 10 mornings later.
Meanwhile, the moon continues to appear farther eastward, near Venus on November 6 and 7.
Venus Emerges from Bright Sunlight
Fifteen minutes later, brilliant Venus is about 5° above the east-southeast horizon as it emerges from bright sunlight. The planet is easily seen with a view across a clear horizon. Spica, Virgo’s brightest star, is 2.3° to Venus’ upper left. Use a binocular to see it with Venus.
Saturn is Easily Observed
After sunset, Saturn is well-placed for viewing through a telescope, nearly 25° above the east-southeast horizon. It is not as bright as Venus or Jupiter, but it is the brightest body in the region.
In a telescope’s eyepiece, Saturn’s rings are easy to see, as are the planet’s muted clouds.
During the night, find Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, and Moon.
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