PHOTOS: Northern Lights, Venus Dazzle November Sky

By Jillian MacMath, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

November 7,2013; 7:00PM,EST

 

 

The first week of November ushered in quite a celestial display across the globe. From northern lights to a visible Venus and winter constellations, skygazers were treated to a variety of events this week.
For several days, the northern lights, officially known as the aurora borealis, were visible across parts of Alaska. The event is fairly common in Alaska this time of year, as the nighttime hours are longer.
"This show was caused by the busiest stretch of activity in this solar cycle," according to AccuWeather.com Astronomy Expert Mark Paquette.
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Those that missed the aurora still had a chance to view Venus and rising winter constellations on clear nights.
Additionally, numerous reports of a fireball across the Southern California sky surfaced on Nov. 6, though few succeeded in capturing the event.
Northern lights illuminated Clear Water Lake in Alaska on Nov. 6. (Photo/Sebastian Saarloos)
The aurora creeps in to a photo of the Milky Way in this view taken at the Quartz Lake campground in Alaska. (Photo/Sebastian Saarloos)
Clear skies gave way to a crescent moon and Venus over Silverthorne, Colo. (Photo/Daniel McVey)
Jupiter, Orion and Taurus were seen rising over the White River National Forest in Summit County, Colo., this week. (Photo/Daniel McVey)