The Sky This Week from November 6 to 13: Venus in the spotlight

Deep-Sky Observing Under Waning Moon

Starting Friday, November 6, the waning Moon leaves behind dark skies that are ideal for deep-sky observation. With reduced moonlight, deep-sky targets become much more accessible, opening up excellent opportunities for astronomers and stargazers alike.

The Helix Nebula in Aquarius

Kicking off the week's observations is NGC 7293, commonly known as the Helix Nebula, located in the constellation Aquarius. Despite its impressive magnitude of 7.3, the Helix presents a unique observational challenge, as its light is spread across a broad 13-arcminute diameter.

Venus Highlights the Planetary Viewing

Alongside deep-sky targets, Venus takes the spotlight in the night sky during this timeframe. Its brilliant presence provides a spectacular view for observers, marking a highlight in the astronomical calendar for the week of November 6 to 13.