May Skies - 2025

The Moon is approaching first quarter, splitting the evening ecliptic with Mars to the east and Jupiter to the west. By the 3rd, Mars is only 2 degrees south. First quarter is on the 4th, with Regulus coming on the scene on the 5th. On the 10th, Spica, the bright star in Virgo, The Maiden, is just 0.4 degrees north – an occultation in the South Pacific. The Moon reaches apogee that same day at 406,243 km from Earth, and is full the following day, the 12th. Antares is occulted for southern viewers on the 13th; for the north the bright star in Scorpius is a mere 0.3 degrees north of the 15-day-old Moon. Might be a tough target as the bright lunar surface overpowers the star. Last quarter is on the 20th. On the 22nd and 23rd, three planets are joined by the waning crescent Moon – first Saturn, then Neptune, and Venus – all within 4 degrees. Perigee at 359,022 km is reached on the 26th, and new Moon is later that evening. Jupiter is 5 degrees south on the 28th, but that would be a tough sighting for a less-than-day-old Moon. Good luck trying, though!

Mercury puts on a good show for the Southern Hemisphere, not so good for the north. It’s still a difficult morning target, being so close to the horizon. By the middle of May, it’s too close to the Sun for safe viewing.

Venus, also a morning object, but a little farther west and rising well before dawn. It’s part of the trio joined by the Moon on the 22nd and 23rd. The bright planet is approaching it’s greatest elongation at the end of the month, then begins drifting along the back side of its orbit but remaining as a great target for early risers.

Mars continues its evening apparition, sliding gracefully from Cancer into Leo near month-end. The Moon, in crescent phase, passes by on the 3rd, and on the 4th, the Red Planet is very near the Beehive Cluster (M44).

Jupiter remains as an evening object, but not for long. By the end of May, it’s too close to the Sun to see.

Saturn rises in the early morning, near Venus. The two planets are in Pisces, The Fish. On the 6th, the rings are edge-on, so invisible and casting no shadow on the planet. Thereafter, the south side of the rings gradually appears. The waning crescent Moon passes by on the 23rd.

Uranus is too close to the Sun to be seen.

Neptune is briefly in the morning sky, just before dawn.

The eta Aquariid meteors peak on the evening of May 5.