May offers skywatchers a delightful spectacle of celestial events! From dazzling planetary conjunctions to the vibrant Eta Aquarid meteor shower, this month has something for every astronomy enthusiast. Mark your calendars and get ready to witness the wonders of the night sky! Here are details from longtime Almanac astronomer Bob Berman.
May 1: Mars on the Move
May Day is the heyday for watching the red planet. From the beginning of the month until May 6, Mars will approach and pass through the gorgeous but faint star-cluster M44, which is known as “The Beehive.” On the 3rd, the Moon joins the fun, meeting up with Mars in the dim constellation of Cancer the Crab.
May 4: The Eta Aquarids
The Eta Aquarids meteor shower, dust and debris from Halley’s Comet, also occurs tonight during the predawn hours. According to NASA, “The Eta Aquarid meteors are known for their speed, with the meteors traveling at about 148,000 mph (66 km/s) into Earth’s atmosphere.” The Moon will only be in its first quarter phase, creating nearly optimal viewing conditions. See our Meteor Shower Calendar for details.
May 12: Flower Moon
Photo Credit: Merrillie Redden
On May 12, at 12:56 P.M. (EDT), the Full Flower Moon is on display at the horizon. Other names for this full Moon point full speed ahead to warmer weather, including the Budding Moon, the Planting Moon, and the Shedding Pony Moon (one of my personal favorites!).
May 15: Last Quarter Moon
On the 20th at 7:59 A.M. (EDT), the Moon is half illuminated to showcase a stunning Last Quarter Moon. This is one of the best times of the month for stargazing, with the Quarter Moon giving off just a tenth of the light that the full Moon does.
Also, this morning, Saturn will return to the sky as a morning star hovering to the right of Venus in the east. If you watch Venus, you will notice her noticeably higher in the sky each morning.
May 26: New Beginnings
You may notice that something is missing this evening—the Moon! On May 26, at 11:02 P.M. (EDT), the New Moon makes its arrival.
Depending on your geographic region, today may be a great day to begin seeding annual flowers, fruits, and vegetables that bear crops above ground. The Moon’s gravitational pull affects the moisture level in the soil, resulting in improved germination. Read more about the age-old approach to Gardening by the Moon.
May 31: Mars, Leo, and the Crescent Moon
Tonight offers another peak of Mars. Back in the western sky at nightfall, Mars is in the constellation of Leo, fading to a magnitude of 1.8. You can see them both just over the silvery crescent Moon.
Enjoy the increasing sunlight! By the end of May, we’ll have 15 hours between sunrise and sunset! (It was 14 hours at the start of the month.) The days will get longer until the summer solstice on June 20.
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