Here’s what’s happening in the sky this May:
Get ready for some celestial spectacles! If you’re up early, you can catch a glimpse of Mars, Saturn, and Mercury in the morning sky. Keep an eye out for the crescent Moon hanging out with Saturn on May 3rd and May 31st. Mars will also be visible, rising about 45 minutes after Saturn. On May 23rd, the full Moon will appear close to the bright red star Antares in Scorpius. If you’re in the eastern U.S., you might even see the Moon pass in front of Antares.
But the real showstopper this month is the eta Aquariid meteor shower, which peaks overnight on May 5th and into the morning of the 6th. This meteor shower is caused by debris from Comet Halley, and you can expect to see up to 40 meteors per hour if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere. Northern Hemisphere observers can still catch a good show, with around 10 to 20 meteors per hour.
For the best viewing experience, find a dark spot away from city lights, lie down, and look straight overhead. Bring a warm drink and some friends, and enjoy the show!
And don’t forget to check out the phases of the Moon for May.
For more skywatching resources and updates on NASA’s missions, visit science.nasa.gov. Happy stargazing!
