When the gorgeous fall colors fade in the Red River Gorge, another kind of beauty begins to shine. November is one of the best times of the year to look up and take in the night sky in Kentucky’s most breathtaking landscape. Cooler November nights often bring crisp, dry air that clears out the haze of summer and early fall. This makes the stars appear sharper, brighter, and more numerous.
As the days shorten and the nights stretch longer, you have extra hours to enjoy the canopy of stars. By 6 pm, darkness has settled in, so you don’t have to stay up late to enjoy the show. Tucked within the Daniel Boone National Forest, the Red River Gorge is far from the glow of city lights. This means that the Milky Way, constellations, and shooting stars are visible on clear nights.
Astronomical Events in November:
- Leonid’s Meteor Shower: From November 16-17, this meteor shower will peak and produce bright fireball meteors. The moon will be a waxing crescent, meaning that the sky will be darker for better viewing.
- Micro New Moon: On November 20, the New Moon will occur when the moon is near its farthest point from Earth, creating a smaller size and offering the darkest possible sky for stargazing.
- Uranus at Opposition: On November 21, Uranus will be at its brightest and most visible for the year. While still a dim light for the naked eye, it will be easier to observe with binoculars or a telescope.
Constellations on Show in November:
- Pegasus: The Winged Horse is visible in the night sky, and you will be able to find its distinctive “Great Square.”
- Andromeda: Connected to Pegasus, this constellation holds the Andromeda Galaxy, the closest spiral galaxy to our own, the Milky Way.
- Aquarius: Look for the Water Bearer pouring from an urn, a constellation with the brightest star in Piscis Austrinus.
- Pisces: You can find the “Circlet,” a pentagonal shape of dim stars, which is part of this constellation.
- Orion: One of the most distinctive constellations in the sky. Look for three medium-bright stars in a straight short row, which create Orion’s Belt. Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star (about 700-1,200 times the size of our Sun), can be viewed in Orion’s right shoulder and Rigel, a white-blue star, can be viewed directly opposite of Betelgeuse on Orion’s right foot.
November may not have the magical, colorful leaves of October, but November has its own type of brilliance. With long, clear nights, the Red River Gorge lights up with all the night sky has to offer. With perfect spots like the Sky Bridge and Chimney Rock, you will be able to take in our vast universe.
