Imagine stepping out into the crisp night air on November 19, 2025, and unlocking the secrets of the universe right above your head—ancient galaxies and star clusters that have captivated stargazers for generations! But here's where it gets exciting: with the moon in its New phase, there's no pesky moonlight to dim these celestial gems, making it the perfect time to hunt for hidden treasures like the Great Andromeda Galaxy, the sparkling Double Cluster in Perseus, and the mesmerizing globular cluster Messier 15 in Pegasus. Let's dive into how you can spot them high in the southern sky shortly after dusk, and uncover why these sights are worth the chilly evening adventure.
By Jeffrey L. Hunt
Chicago, Illinois: Sunrise at 6:46 a.m. CST; Sunset at 4:27 p.m. CST. These times are precisely calculated using the US Naval Observatory’s MICA computer program—always double-check with local sources for your exact sunrise and sunset to plan your stargazing session just right.
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November’s Celestial Wonders
As the moon approaches its New phase, its illumination doesn't overpower the subtler marvels of the cosmos. In recent posts, we've explored step-by-step guides to locating the majestic Great Andromeda Galaxy (M31) (https://wp.me/pJpvr-dQv)—our neighboring spiral galaxy—and the striking Double Cluster (h Per and χ Per) nestled in Perseus (https://wp.me/pJpvr-dR0). Now, the globular cluster in Pegasus shines brightly on the evening stage, positioned just right for easy observation.
Venture outdoors about two hours past sunset—it's not too late, especially with those shorter autumn days—and tilt your gaze high into the southern heavens. There, you'll spot the Great Square of Pegasus, outlining the body of the mythical Winged Horse. Its stars glow with a brightness similar to those in the familiar Big Dipper, making it a handy landmark for beginners.
For viewers in the Northern Hemisphere, Pegasus appears as if it's lying on its back. The horse's neck stretches from Markab, curving southwestward to Baham (which might represent an eye) and then upward to Enif, the snout at the tip.
Star Clusters
Globular star clusters, like the one cataloged as the 15th entry by Charles Messier (who was careful to list non-cometary hazy objects), are truly awe-inspiring. Messier 15 sits roughly 4.2 degrees to the upper right of Enif, easily fitting within the same field of view through binoculars. If you focus your binoculars sharply, it looks like a fuzzy star spanning about half the width of the full moon. Through a telescope, you'll start to see individual stars twinkling at the edges, revealing the cluster's intricate structure.
Think of it this way: Messier 15 lies about 40,000 light-years from Earth and spans roughly 130 light-years in diameter. At such a vast distance, the combined light from all its stars rivals the brilliance of 200,000 suns—mind-blowing when you consider how small they appear from here! For newcomers, light-years measure the speed of light traveling in a year, so 40,000 light-years means the light we're seeing left the cluster 40,000 years ago, giving us a glimpse into the past.
Unlike open star clusters, such as the Pleiades (the Seven Sisters), the Beehive in Cancer, or the Double Cluster, globular clusters are densely packed with thousands of stars. They orbit around the center of our galaxy, outside the flat disk of the Milky Way, much like bees buzzing around a hive. And this is the part most people miss: some astronomers debate whether this 'swarming' analogy truly captures their behavior, or if it's just a poetic way to describe their gravitational dance. Is it accurate, or does it oversimplify these cosmic communities? We often think of them as ancient relics, formed billions of years ago, but what if modern theories challenge that timeline?
Historically, when these clusters were first mapped over a century ago, they seemed clustered towards Sagittarius in the sky, which hangs low in the southwest after sunset in November. Before the moon waxes back into view and overshadows these dimmer delights, seize the opportunity to track down Messier 15 alongside M31 and the Double Cluster in Perseus.
LATEST ARTICLES
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2025, November 19: Pegasus Globular Cluster: Find Messier 15, the Great Andromeda Galaxy, and the Double Cluster (https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2025/11/08/2025-november-19-pegasus-globular-cluster-find-messier-15-the-great-andromeda-galaxy-and-the-double-cluster/)
November 19, 2025: With the moon near its New phase, moonlight no longer hides faint celestial treasures. Step outside to find the Great Andromeda Galaxy, the Double Cluster in Perseus, and the globular star cluster Messier 15 in Pegasus, high in the southern sky after dusk.
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2025, November 18: Venus and Moon Before Sunrise: Final Pairing of the Apparition (https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2025/11/07/2025-november-18-venus-and-moon-before-sunrise-final-pairing-of-the-apparition/)
November 18, 2025: Before sunrise, the crescent moon appears near Venus for the final time during this apparition. The Morning Star rises shortly before daybreak, retreating into brighter twilight as it heads toward superior conjunction early next year. Look for Venus low in the east-southeast with the delicate crescent moon above the horizon.
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2025, November 17: Moon Pairs with Spica Before Sunrise; Planets Across the Sky (https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2025/11/06/2025-november-17-moon-pairs-with-spica-before-sunrise-planets-across-the-sky/)
November 17, 2025: Before sunrise, the crescent moon pairs with Spica. Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune shine overnight. Mercury soon sprints into view.
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2025, November 16: Double Cluster: A Double Treasure Between Cassiopeia and Perseus (https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2025/11/05/2025-november-16-double-cluster-a-double-treasure-between-cassiopeia-and-perseus/)
November 16, 2025: The waning crescent moon provides a view of the Double Cluster — two starry gatherings between Cassiopeia and Perseus, shining in the autumn evening sky.
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2025, November 15-17: Lovely Morning Crescent Chases Venus (https://whenthecurveslineup.com/2025/11/04/2025-november-15-17-lovely-morning-crescent-chases-venus/)
November 15-17, 2025: See the crescent moon and Venus before sunrise, displaying earthshine as the moon steps eastward in front of Virgo during mid-November mornings.
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What do you think? Does the 'bees around a hive' description of globular clusters resonate with you, or do you see it as outdated? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree these clusters offer a window into the galaxy's oldest secrets, or is there a counterpoint I'm missing? Let's discuss!
