November brings modest meteor showers and a close-looking pair of planets. NASA's November skywatching guide points to the Northern Taurids around 12 November and Mars and Jupiter appearing near each other before sunrise on 15 and 16 November. The Leonids follow later in the month. These are dates to watch, not a promise of clear skies or a set number of meteors from any location.
The Taurids reward patience
The Southern Taurids' fireball-rich phase peaks around 5 November, while the Northern Taurids peak around 11 and 12 November, according to the International Meteor Organization's 2026 calendar. NASA estimates roughly five meteors an hour from each shower under ideal conditions, with an occasional bright fireball possible. Someone watching under city lights may see fewer.
Mars and Jupiter will look close
Before sunrise on 15 and 16 November, NASA says the planets should appear about 1.2 degrees apart. Jupiter is the brighter point of light, with reddish Mars nearby. They remain far apart in space; the pairing is how they appear from Earth. NASA's guide does not give India-specific rising times, so check a location-specific sky chart and the local forecast before going out.
Check the Leonid viewing window
NASA suggests looking before dawn on 17 and 18 November, after the Moon sets. The International Meteor Organization's calendar lists 16 and 17 November as its peak-night window. Rather than treating either as a guaranteed one-night display in India, check local moonset and aim for a clear pre-dawn period around those dates. NASA cites up to about 15 meteors an hour under ideal conditions and says most observers will see fewer.
For any meteor watch, NASA advises finding a dark place, allowing about half an hour for your eyes to adjust, and taking in a wide area of sky. Weather and nearby lighting can matter as much as the calendar.
