Night Sky for May
The Phases of the Moon begin again this month with a New Moon on the 5th followed by the First Quarter on 12th . The Full Moon occurs on 20th and the Last Quarter is on 28th.
Mercury is at its most favourable for much of the month. This gives an ideal opportunity to track down the elusive inner planet. As it is never very far from the Sun be careful not to look at the Sun itself. The lighter evenings will actually make this a challenge but Mercury should be visible in binoculars or a small telescope close to the NW horizon some forty minutes after sunset.
Venus is not visible this month as it lies on the opposite side of the Sun to the Earth.
Mars is now a very small disc but should increase slightly in brightness as it again becomes a full phase. Mars is currently seen against the background stars of the constellation of Cancer. This constellation contains no bright stars at all but does contain a large star cluster called Praesepe. Mars can be seen in the same binocular view as Praesepe on the 22nd and 25th at 1.00am.
Jupiter can be seen almost due South in the late evenings against the background stars of Sagittarius. Although the planet is brightening and can be seen along with its four largest moons even in a good pair of binoculars it is never very high above the horizon so details on the planet’s surface will remain difficult to pick out even with a telescope.
Saturn is still visible in the Western sky and is seen against the background constellation of Leo. The rings will be edge on to us by Christmas so this is the final opportunity for seeing them for some time.
Uranus and Neptune are unobservable this month.
Pluto is not visible this month.
There are two meteor showers this month. The Eta Aquarids on the 5th, which coincides with the New Moon making this a good time to see the shooting stars, and the Alpha Scorpiids on the 13th .
You can see the objects mentioned above and find out more with the Basingstoke Astronomical Society who have their next meeting on April 24th when Dave Shave-Wall will deliver his Chairman’s Address, at Cliddesden Primary School from 7.00p.m. Following meetings will be on May 8th (Practical) and the AGM on May 22nd.