Stargazers and skywatchers across the globe are in for a celestial treat as November 2025 draws to a close and December begins, with a flurry of astronomical events illuminating the night sky. From the Moon's shifting phases to planetary standstills and a meteor shower with a history of surprises, the coming nights offer plenty for both seasoned astronomers and casual observers to enjoy.
According to NASA's Daily Moon Observation, the evening of November 28, 2025, marks the First Quarter phase of the Moon. This means the Moon is half-illuminated, with 53% of its surface reflecting sunlight as it sits 90 degrees from the Sun. The First Quarter phase is a distinctive midpoint between the New Moon and the Full Moon, and it's a favorite for skywatchers because the sharp shadows along the lunar terminator reveal the Moon's craters and maria in stunning detail.
Even without any special equipment, observers on this night can spot the Vaporum, Tranquillitatis, and Serenitatis Mares—vast, dark plains often mistaken for lunar "seas." For those with binoculars handy, the Endymion and Alphonsus Craters come into view, along with the Mare Nectaris. And if you have access to a telescope, it's the perfect opportunity to hunt for the historic Apollo 15 and 17 landing sites, not to mention the rugged Descartes Highlands, as reported by Mashable. The Moon is half full, so there's at least half of it ready to be gazed at, making it a great night for lunar exploration from your backyard.
This First Quarter Moon also sets the stage for the next full moon, which is set to rise on December 4, 2025. According to NASA, this upcoming full moon will be the last in a series of three consecutive supermoons—those rare occasions when the Moon is both full and at its closest point to Earth, making it appear especially large and bright. The last full moon before this was on November 5, 2025, so lunar enthusiasts have had a busy month already.
The lunar cycle itself spans about 29.5 days and is divided into eight phases: New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter (or Last Quarter), and Waning Crescent. As NASA explains, these phases are the result of the Moon's orbit around Earth, changing the amount of sunlight reflected toward us. We always see the same side of the Moon, but the illuminated portion waxes and wanes, creating the familiar cycle that has fascinated humans for millennia.
But the Moon isn't the only celestial body making headlines this week. On November 27, Saturn reached a stationary point in the constellation Aquarius, as detailed by Astronomy.com. At 8 P.M. EST, the ringed planet shone at magnitude 0.9, making it the brightest object in the southern sky, about 40 degrees high. Saturn's disk appeared 18 arcseconds across, with its iconic rings stretching 41 arcseconds and tilted just 0.4 degrees to our line of sight—virtually edge-on. This rare orientation gives stargazers a unique perspective on Saturn's rings, which usually appear more open.
Through a telescope, Saturn's moons—Rhea, Tethys, Dione, and the larger, brighter Titan—are visible, though the nearby waxing Moon (at 59% illumination on November 28) may make it tricky to spot the fainter satellites. The Moon’s light can wash out dimmer objects, but the challenge only adds to the fun for dedicated observers.
Mercury, the innermost planet, is also putting on a show. On November 29, it reaches its stationary point at 10 A.M. EST, ending its retrograde motion and resuming its eastward trek against the background stars. Mercury will be visible at magnitude 0.4 in the eastern sky about 40 minutes before sunrise, sitting 8 degrees high in Libra. Early risers will be rewarded with a glimpse of Mercury's 8-arcsecond-wide disk, which is about 30 percent illuminated.
And Mercury isn’t alone in the pre-dawn sky. Venus, dazzling at magnitude -3.9, will just be clearing the eastern horizon at the same time. Its disk, nearly fully illuminated at 99 percent, offers a striking contrast to Mercury's crescent-like appearance. Both planets are best viewed with a telescope before sunrise, but even the naked eye can appreciate their brilliance if you have a clear horizon.
Of course, not all the action is confined to planets and our nearest neighbor. The first days of December bring the Phoenicids meteor shower, a lesser-known but intriguing event for those willing to brave the early morning hours. As reported by Star Walk, the Phoenicids will be active from December 1 to December 5, peaking on December 1. Their radiant lies in the southern constellation Phoenix, making this shower a Southern Hemisphere favorite.
The Phoenicids are a minor meteor shower with a reputation for unpredictability. Most years, they produce only a handful of meteors per hour, but they are notorious for sudden outbursts. The most dramatic occurred in early December 1956, when observers in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and aboard ships in the Indian Ocean reported a surge of roughly 100 meteors per hour. Since then, the Phoenicids have mostly been quiet, but astronomers caution that another surprise could happen at any time.
In 2025, the Phoenicids face a significant challenge: a bright waxing gibbous Moon, illuminated to 86 percent, will wash out all but the brightest meteors. The best chance to catch a shooting star is during the darkest part of the night, around 2-3 a.m. local time on December 2 in the Southern Hemisphere, ideally when the Moon is low or hidden behind a building, hill, or tree. Patience is key—give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness, and you might just catch a few meteors streaking across the sky.
The Phoenicids are linked to Comet 289P/Blanpain, a small periodic comet with a storied history. Discovered in 1819, it was lost for nearly two centuries before being rediscovered in the early 2000s, thanks to its matching orbit and a faint coma observed by astronomers. The comet’s debris trail is what Earth crosses each December, giving rise to this unpredictable shower.
For Northern Hemisphere observers, the Phoenicids are a tough catch, as the radiant in Phoenix remains low on the horizon or doesn’t rise at all from many locations. But for those in the Southern Hemisphere, especially under dark skies, the shower offers a chance at witnessing a rare astronomical surprise—if luck is on their side.
With the Moon waxing toward full, Saturn and Mercury at pivotal points in their orbits, Venus shining bright, and the Phoenicids poised for a possible outburst, the skies of late November and early December 2025 are packed with reasons to look up. Whether you’re scanning the Moon’s rugged surface, tracking the planets, or searching for shooting stars, there’s something for everyone in this cosmic lineup. Grab your binoculars, set your alarm, and let the wonders of the night sky unfold.
