The Night Sky - May 2026
Comet MAPS did not survive its close encounter with the sun! Comet Panstars is putting on a great show for those in the Southern Hemisphere. The Flame Star still has not gone Nova. The Artemis II mission was a rousing success. I hope you all managed to watch parts of it.
This month Mercury will be visible low in the WNW during evening twilight after mid-month. Venus will also be visible in evening twilight, low in the WNW, all month. If you see the two together try to get a photo. The one closer to where the sun has set is probably Mercury. Do not try to see them before the sun sets, the risk of damage to your eye is extreme. Mars is now moving out of the Sun’s glow, from Earth’s point of view, and will be found very low in the ESE in morning twilight. Jupiter will be low in the W at dusk and will set around 11PM. Saturn is rising in the E after 4 AM.
The Full Moon on May 1 is called Birds Laying Eggs. On May 3, the bright red star in Scorpius, Antares, will be half a degree N of the Moon. The Moon reaches apogee (furthest away from Earth for the month) on the 4th. The Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower caused by dust from Halley’s Comet, peaks between the 5th and 6th. It has more meteors per hour in the Southern Hemisphere than the Northern (about half as many).
There are several shadow crossings on Jupiter this month. The first happens on the 8th starting at 8:44 PM. The moons passing between the Sun and Jupiter are Ganymede and Europa. A telescope is required to see this event. The moons are in orbit around Jupiter so the shadows cross regularly. The crossing is not always lined up so it can be seen from Earth. You need the magnification to be steady and you are looking to see a smallish black dot or two move across the face of Jupiter. If the Great Red Spot is it the right place, it would make a memorable vision. If you have the right equipment, you could make a time lapse movie.
May 9 is Last Quarter Moon and on the 10th the Curtis X will be visible along the Moon’s Terminator. I have only seen this with a telescope but 10 X Binoculars should be enough. On the 14th, Mercury will be in Superior Conjunction (in a line from Earth, Sun, Mercury — not visible from Earth). On the 15th, Ganymede and Europa’s shadows cross Jupiter again, starting at 11:19 PM. The old crescent Moon will be visible in the E before sunrise on the 16th with New Moon after sunset. There will be larger tides for the next three days if you are somewhere to see this response. The Moon is at Perigee, closest approach to Earth during the month, on the 17th. Venus will be 3 degrees S of the Moon on the 18th and Jupiter will be 3 degrees S of the Moon on the 20th. The 22nd has Ganymede’s and Europa’s discs visible crossing Jupiter, starting at 11:54 PM. On the 23rd, Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, will be 0.8 degrees N of the Moon. The other two Galilean Moons, Callisto and Io will be crossing Jupiter at 10:15 PM. The Lunar Straight Wall is visible on the 24th. Again, I have only seen this with a telescope but binoculars can do it. It is considered a challenge.The second Full Moon (Blue Moon) in May is on the 31st and is called Frog’s Croaking Moon. Antares will be 0.4 degrees N of the Moon.
Lennox and Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area (7980 L&A County Road 41, Erinsville, ON) is now open for business. New Moon nights are considered prime nights. Those who wish to take photos will be in abundance then. Laser tours are scheduled all summer. Check the website for details.
North Frontenac Dark Astronomy Park (5816 Road 506, Plevna, ON) is also open. Check their Facebook page for events. May 9 is when Science Rendezvous takes place in Kingston at Slush Puppie Place (10 AM-3 PM). It is a great showcase of what science is all about and lots of fun for the kids. The RASC Kingston will be set up on Tragically Hip Way near the doors with solar safe telescopes. The Queen’s Observatory will be open that evening as well with their Open House program.
Clear Skies.
