What's in the Sky: Top Astronomy Events of May 2022
Yesterday was a new moon, today is a new month. With summer approaching, be sure take note of these dates, as they are the top astronomy events of this month!
The first week of May is going to be a busy one. If you are looking for a time to get into astrophotography, now is the time! Be sure to share your images on Social Media, and be sure to tag us in your shot for a chance to be featured!
5/2 – Mercury and Pleiades
On this night, look to the western soon after sunset and catch a glimpse of an extremely rare triple conjunction of the open star cluster (Pleiades), Mercury, and a crescent Moon! The first week of May blesses us with dark skies. This particular conjunction can be viewed with Binoculars.
5/3 and 5/4 – Earthshine Nights
Immediately afterwards, we have another Earthshine night at it’s peak. The Moon will still be in it’s crescent phase. Earthshine nights, also referred to as the Da Vinci Glow, is a dull glow that lights up the unlit part of the Moon. It is caused by the Sun’s light reflecting off the Earth’s surface and back onto the Moon. This will be an excellent night to image the Moon!
5/6 and 5/7 – Eta Aquarids Meteor shower
The Eta Aquarids Meter shower peaks early in the morning on May 7th. This shower is capable of producing roughly 60 meteors per hour at it’s peak. This shower runs annualy from April 19th to May 28th. The peak starts late in the night of May 6th. We anticipate this to be a remarkable show, be sure to mark your calendars and don’t miss out!
5/16 – Full Moon and Total Lunar Eclipse
The Flower Moon. The moon will appear in a rusty/blood red color. Additionally, a total lunar eclipse will occur as the Moon completely passes through the Earth’s umbra (it’s dark shadow). This eclipse will be visible throughout North America, Greenland, the Atlantic, parts of western Europe and western Africa.
Conjuntions
A conjunction is when two or more celestial objects appear to be close together while observed from Earth.
| Conjunction date | Celestial Objects in Conjunction | Observation methods |
| 5/2 | Mercury and Pleiadies | The naked eye or binoculars |
| 5/17 | Mars and Neptune | |
| 5/22 | The Moon and Saturn | The naked eye or binoculars |
| 5/24 | The Moon and Mars | The naked eye or binoculars |
| 5/24 | The Moon and Jupiter | The naked eye or binoculars |
| 5/26 | The Moon and Venus | The naked eye or binoculars |
| 5/28 | Jupiter and Mars | The naked eye or binoculars |
5/30 – New Moon
The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the sun and it will not be visible on this night. This will be the best night to observe fainter objects in the sky, as there will be no lunar interference!
That concludes the top astronomy events of May 2022! What did we miss? Which event are you looking forward to the most? Is there anything you would like to add? Let us know in the comments below orContact Us to speak with an expert.
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3 Responses
Danny Ly
All events
Gustavo Guillermo Bianchi
Hi, I wonder if the astronomy events you have in the publications include the ones in South America?? thanks and regards
jack eagan may4,2022
May 04, 2022
we enjoy all the events, but something has to be done about these clouds !!!!!!!