SkyEye

Welcome to SkyEye, your guide to this month's celestial events. All dates are based on Universal Time (UT).

Brief Calendar of Events

1 Thu Moon at apogee
New Moon
3 Sat 3 Juno at opposition
4 Sun Neptune at west quadrature
6 Tue Eta Aquariids meteor shower
7 Wed Mercury at inferior conjunction - transit of Mercury
9 Fri First Quarter Moon
15 Thu Moon at perigee
16 Fri Full Moon
Total lunar eclipse
23 Fri Last Quarter Moon
24 Sat Uranus at west quadrature
28 Wed Moon at apogee
31 Sat New Moon
Annular lunar eclipse

The Sun and Moon

As seen from the Earth, the Sun is moving from the constellation Aries to the constellation Taurus.

Very high tides are expected on the first of the month when lunar apogee coincides with New Moon.

The second Full Moon in a calendar month is popularly called a Blue Moon but what about the second New Moon?

The Planets

The word planet is derived from the Greek word for "wanderer." Unlike the background stars, planets seem to move around the sky, keeping mostly to a narrow track called the ecliptic, the path of the Sun across the stars.
Mercury
After its rare transit of the Sun on 7 May, Mercury is visible in the morning sky from mid-month. It appears in very close proximity with its neighbour Venus on 21 May. Southern hemisphere observers will get the best views. Mercury can be found in the constellation Aries.
Venus
The "morning star" is quite high in the dawn sky for viewers in the southern hemisphere but it is starting to descend toward the horizon. Northern observers have a much worse view of this bright planet. Look for Venus before sunrise in the constellations Pisces and Aries.
Mars
The red planet does not rise until after midnight in the constellation Capricornus.
Jupiter
The largest planet in the solar system is finally moving away from M44, the Beehive Cluster, in the constellation Cancer. It may be seen in the evening, setting as Mars rises.
Saturn
Saturn sets by mid-evening so get out early to see it in the constellations Taurus and Orion.
Uranus
This distant gas giant reaches west quadrature on 24 May in the constellation Aquarius.
Neptune
Not far from Uranus in the sky, this blue planet arrives at west quadrature on the fourth of the month. Neptune is in the constellation Capricornus.
Pluto
The outermost planet in the solar system is up nearly all night in the constellation Ophiuchus.

Minor Planets, Comets and Meteors

Minor Planets
On 3 May, 3 Juno is at opposition in the constellation Libra but you will need optical aids to see it as it will reach only tenth magnitude.
Comets
There are no naked-eye comets visible this month.
Meteors
The Moon sets before the radiant of the Eta Aquariids meteor shower rises. This shower is best seen from the southern hemisphere.

The Celestial Sphere

Constellations are patterns of stars in the sky. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) recognises 88 different constellations. The brightest stars as seen from the Earth are easy to spot but do you know their proper names? With a set of binoculars you can look for fainter objects such as nebulae and galaxies or some of the closest stars to the Sun.

Descriptions of the sky for observers in both the northern and southern hemispheres are available for the following times this month. Subtract one hour from your local time if daylight savings time is in effect. (Note: These times are approximate.)

Northern Hemisphere : 45° N

Southern Hemisphere : 30° S

For More Information...

Credits

Much of this information can be found in this month's issue of your favourite amateur astronomy magazine available in your local bookshop. Another excellent source is the current edition of the Astronomical Calendar by Guy Ottewell and published by the Universal Workshop at Furman University.

The image of the Sun in the SkyEye banner is courtesy of the SOHO/EIT consortium. SOHO is a project of international cooperation between ESA and NASA. Used with permission.

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