05/14/2026
Astronomical Events to see in the night sky during the month of May!
Part 1: Moon Phases & Sky Positions
The month of May begins with a Full Moon and offers excellent dark-sky windows for galaxy hunting in the middle of the month.
Phase Date & Time (CDT) Sky Position & Viewing Tip
Full Flower Moon May 1, 12:23 PM Rises in the East-Southeast at sunset. It will reach its highest point in the South (Altitude ~35°) around midnight.
Last Quarter May 9, 4:10 PM Rises around 1:30 AM in the Southeast. Best for observing lunar craters in the pre-dawn hours.
New Moon May 16, 3:01 PM The darkest skies of the month. Perfect for deep-sky targets from May 14–19.
First Quarter May 23, 6:10 AM High in the South at sunset. Look for the "Lunar X" effect (if timing aligns) or dramatic shadows in the Mare Imbrium.
Full Moon May 31, 3:45 AM A second full moon in May (a "Blue Moon" by some definitions). Rises in the Southeast at dusk.
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Part 2: Solar System (Planets, Meteors & Comets)
• Venus & Jupiter (Evening West):
o Venus: Dominates the Western sky after sunset at magnitude -4.0. It sets about 2.5 hours after the Sun.
o Jupiter: Shining at magnitude -1.9 in Gemini. It will be high in the West at sunset and set around midnight.
• Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) - Post-Perihelion:
o Status: After its close brush with the Sun in April, check the Western horizon immediately after sunset in early May.
o Small Scope View: Look for a diffuse coma. It will be moving from Pisces toward Aries.
• Saturn & Mars (Pre-dawn):
o Saturn: Rises in the East about 2 hours before the Sun (Magnitude +0.9).
o Mars: Rises about 1 hour before the Sun in Pisces. It remains relatively faint and small in a telescope.
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Part 3: Deep Sky Objects (Small Telescope)
As the "Spring Triangle" (Arcturus, Spica, and Regulus) sits high in the South, galaxy hunting is at its peak.
• The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51):
o Location: Canes Venatici (near the end of the Big Dipper’s handle).
o Precise Direction: Nearly Zenith (straight up) around 10:00 PM.
o Small Scope View: In a 4" scope under Bortle 5/6 skies, you will see two distinct fuzzy cores—the main galaxy and its smaller companion (NGC 5195) being "eaten."
• The Hercules Global Cluster (M13):
o Location: Hercules.
o Precise Direction: Look East-Northeast, about 40° high by 10:00 PM. Find the "Keystone" asterism.
o Small Scope View: One of the best targets. It looks like a bright, "hairy" ball of light. Higher magnification may resolve individual stars at the edges.
• Sombrero Galaxy (M104):
o Location: Virgo.
o Precise Direction: Due South around 11:00 PM, about 30° above the horizon.
o Small Scope View: A distinct, elongated silver sliver. It’s one of the brighter galaxies visible from our latitude.
• Albireo (The "Cubs" Double Star):
o Location: Cygnus (The Swan).
o Precise Direction: Rising in the Northeast by 10:30 PM.
o Small Scope View: Perhaps the most beautiful double star. Even at low power, you’ll see a brilliant gold star and a striking sapphire-blue companion.
