Mercury

Mercury is visible in early morning sky low in the southeast. Of the four predawn planets—Mercury, Mars, Neptune, and Saturn—it is the lowest in the sky of them all.

Venus

Venus is currently too close to the Sun to be visible in May.

Mars

Mars is low in the southeastern sky before dawn in Pisces the Fish. It shines at magnitude 1.1.

Jupiter

Jupiter is in Ares the Ram and is currently lost in the Sun’s glare.

Saturn

Saturn is in Aquarius and is visible in the early morning sky low in the southeastern sky. Shining at magnitude 1.0 it is the brightest object in that part of the sky and has a slightly yellowish tinge of color.

Uranus

Uranus is near Jupiter in the sky and is also currently lost in the Sun’s glare.

Neptune

Neptune is shining at magnitude 7.8, while it is a challenge to find, it is visible throughout the evening hours. It is in Pisces, just south of the circlet asterism or western fish. You’ll find Neptune 5° southeast of Lambda Piscium which shines at magnitude 4.5. It will have a slight bluish color. It’s currently 2.8 billion miles from Earth.

Moon

Full Moon May 23 June 21

Last Quarter May 30 June 28

New Moon May 7 June 6

First Quarter May 15. June 14

Sun

There has been significant sunspot activity this spring, producing a few aurora sightings here in Maine. To see an aurora watch for faint glows of color low in the northern skies after dark. If you look up auroral activity online you’ll find an activity scale called the Kp scale. We need a Kp Scale rating of 6 or higher for aurora to be readily seen in Maine.

To observe the sun and sunspots you need solar filters like you’d use to observe an eclipse. Never look directly at the Sun and never point a telescope at the Sun without the proper solar filters. You will permanently damage your eyes instantly.

Comets

There are currently no bright comets that can easily be seen.

Meteor Showers

Eta Aquariids: April 19-May 29, peaking on May 6. Maximum number of meteors is 50 per hour. This meteor shower is best seen in the early pre-dawn hours. The shower is associated with dust left behind by Halley’s Comet.

Seasonal Star Charts