The night sky in May is full of exciting events, from brilliant shooting stars and the best visibility of Mercury, to the Moon hiding bright stars and planets, and the Flower Moon. Discover the most amazing astronomical phenomena on the moon!A free astronomy app to improve your star knowledge and navigate easilySky TonightPlease practice
Contents
Starry sky in May 2024
Event dates are given in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and may vary depending on your location.Sky TonightWith the application you will get accurate information for your location.
- May 1: waning moon.
- May 3: the moonSaturnPassing at a distance of 0°48′ from (magnitude 1.2)🌟
- May 4th: η Aquarius meteor showerthe highest level (ZHR = 50) 🌟; the moonNeptunePassing at a distance of 0 ° 15′ from (magnitude 7.9).
- May 5th: Depending on the monthMars(level 1.2) occultation.
- May 6th: the moonMercury(magnitude 0.6) passes through a distance of 3°24′.
- 7th of May: the moonVenusPassing at a distance of 3°14′ from (magnitude -3.9).
- 8th of May: new moon;Jupiter(magnitude -2.0) to 4°08′,Uranus(magnitude 5.8) passes at a distance of 3°26′.
- May 9: Mercury(magnitude -0.6) maximum westward extension (morning). 🌟
- May 10: η Lyra meteor showerpeak (ZHR = 3).
- May 12: the moonPollux(magnitude 1.2) passes at a distance of 1°36′.
- May 14th: Mercury is a dwarf planetHelenPassing at a distance of 8 ° 07′ from (magnitude 18.7).
- May 15th: crescent moon;Regulus(magnitude 1.2) passes at a distance of 3°30′.
- May 17th: an asteroidPallas(magnitude 7.0) against.
- May 20th: the moonSpicy(magnitude 1.0) passes through a distance of 1°24′.
- May 23rd: full moon(Flower Moon). 🌟
- May 24th: depending on the monthAntares(level 1.1) occultation. 🌟
- May 30th: waning moon.
- May 31st: depending on the monthSaturn(level 1.2) occultation 🌟; Mercury(magnitude -0.7) passed from Uranus (magnitude 5.8) at a distance of 1 ° 21 ‘.
* Highlighted events are the most important events of the month.
About grades: urban areamoderate light pollutionIf so, the minimum magnitude of a star or planet visible to the naked eye is around 4. The critical magnitude of an optical instrument depends on its specifications, but is usually not higher than 11.
Think you can see that galaxy or nebula from your backyard? 🌌 Our infographic has the answer! Here we use the Bortle scale to explain how light pollution affects what you see. Get to know the night sky and improve your star knowledge!
Planet in May 2024
Northern Hemisphere
Located in the northeastern sky in the constellation of Pisces during the early to mid-morning hours of the month.Mercury(Level 0.2) is visible.
At the end of the month, if you look towards the eastern horizon in the morning, it will be in the constellation Pisces.Mars(magnitude 1.1), located in the constellation AquariusSaturn(Level 1.2) can also be found.
NeptuneTo see (magnitude 7.9) closer, use binoculars or a telescope and look close to the eastern horizon in the constellation Pisces in the morning.
Venus、Jupiter、UranusIt cannot be seen because it is too close to the sun.
Southern Hemisphere
In the morning in the northeast skyMercury(Level 0.2) is visible. First in Pisces, then in Aries. Early in the morning, in the constellation Aries near the eastern horizonVenus(Level -3.9) is also visible.
Mars(magnitude 1.1) can be seen high in the northeast in the constellation of Pisces.Saturn(magnitude 1.2) visible in the constellation Aquarius in the morning.
At the end of the month, use binoculars or a telescope to see near the northeastern horizon in the constellation Taurus.UranusWatch (level 5.7).Neptune(magnitude 7.9) in the same direction in Pisces.
JupiterIt cannot be seen because it is too close to the sun.
Mercury has its greatest expansion in the west (morning)
Don’t miss your chance to see this elusive planet in May! On May 9th, Mercury reaches its highest extension in the morning. This is when there is the greatest distance in the sky from the sun. This is the best time to see Mercury, especially for observers in the Southern Hemisphere.
Mercury, the inner planet, is hidden from sunlight most of the time so it is difficult to see. The best time to see Mercury is at its furthest, farthest from the Sun.
Because of the angle of the ecliptic, Mercury is best seen from southern latitudes at this time of year. There it rises high above the horizon. true,The best morning view of Mercury in the Southern Hemisphere this yearIt grows. But the planet will also be visible from the northern hemisphere!
learn more: Mercury, the planet closest to the sun.
Full Moon in May 2024
On Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 22:53 Japan time (13:53 GMT), the Moon will enter its full moon phase. At this time, the Moon is in the constellation Scorpio, and the bright starAntaresIt is close.
The moon may be below the horizon at this very moment, but that doesn’t mean you’ll miss the full moon in May 2024. For about three days, including before and after after the peak, the moon appears in a completely round form.
May’s full moon was affectionately known as the “Flower Moon” by our ancestors in the Northern Hemisphere, indicating an abundance of flowers at that time of year. But that’s not the only nickname. It’s called the “planting moon,” the “rabbit moon,” the “frost moon,” and even the “dragon moon!” to this month as well.
find out more:May 2024 Full Moon: Flower Moon.
Occultation of stars and planets by the moon
A series of moon sightings will be happening in May! A lunar eclipse is a phenomenon in which the moon passes in front of another celestial body, obscuring that object. However, the sight can only be seen from some places, and others will see the moon approaching another celestial body.
To see if there is a moon sighting in your area, check out our freeSky TonightCheck out the app.Detailed map available!
This month’s highlights are:
- Occultation of Saturn on May 3rdonly visible from Antarctica.
- Occultation of Neptune on May 4thcan be seen across the Atlantic.
- Show on Mars on May 5th, when the illumination of the moon is 12.4%, Mars will be hidden from observers in Southeast Asia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, the Seychelles Islands, and other nearby regions. This event starts at 00:05 GMT and ends at 04:26 GMT.
- Antares occultation on May 24th, an almost full moon hiding a red giant star. Visible from 01:11 to 05:24 GMT from the Americas, West Africa, and Central Africa.
- Another view of Saturn on May 31st, a 46.7% brightness moon will obscure Saturn from observers in parts of South Africa, Argentina, Chile, southern Brazil, and Uruguay. This occultation starts at 06:23 GMT and ends at 10:30 GMT.
Get notified:Which planet is next to the moon tonight?
Comet in May 2024
It was visible in the skies of the Northern Hemisphere until April.Pons Brooks’ famous cometcurrently visible low on the horizon in the Southern Hemisphere. After the closest approach to the Sun (perihelion) on April 21, the comet has been gradually fading. In May,The level is about 5It grows. To see this comet, look toward the western horizon in the evening, about an hour after sunset.
occasional comet olbersnear perihelion on June 30, 2024. At that time,Brightness is about 7is expected to arrive. During May, the comet has a visual brightness between 8 and 9, and is low on the northwest horizon in the evening. The comet is visible from the Northern Hemisphere, but is very faint and requires medium-sized binoculars or a small telescope.
For experienced viewers,Purple Gold Mountain Atlas / CometPlease note. This isThe prominent comet of 2024It may be visible to the naked eye from the Northern Hemisphere in September and October. Currently, this cometlevel is 10You can see it rising over the horizon in the evening. You will need large binoculars or a small telescope to see at this level.
To find comets easily in the sky,App sky tonightPlease practice
May 2024 meteor shower
There will be two meteor showers in May 2024:η Aquarius meteor showerpeaked on May 5,η Lyra meteor showerit will peak on May 10.
The ηAquarii meteor shower usually produces up to 50 meteors per hour at its peak. It is best seen from the southern hemisphere, but it is also possible to view from some areas in the northern hemisphere. This year’s ηAquarii meteor shower peaks a few days before the new moon, so you can expect to see it under dark skies.
On the other hand, the η Lyra meteor shower is less intense, with up to about 3 meteors per hour visible at its peak. The new moon on May 8 will bring the best conditions. This meteor shower will remain above the horizon throughout the night, making it easily accessible to observers in the Northern Hemisphere.
learn more:Meteor shower calendar from March to June.
How to see astronomical events in May 2024
To easily explore the night sky and track all recorded celestial events,Sky TonightPlease use the app.
Sky Tonight is one of the stargazing apps.Largest free databaseWe offer!Discover galaxies, comets, asteroids, and other celestial bodies without purchasing additional content.
To learn how to get the most out of the app,Watch a short video tutorial.
Celestial events in May: conclusion
The night sky in May is full of interesting sights! You will be able to see several wonders, from bright shooting stars and the best views of Mercury, to the moon covering stars and planets, to the beautiful moon of flowers. To find and enjoy these events, check out our free for freeApp sky tonightPlease use This app makes stargazing easy and fun so you don’t miss a thing!
