Full ------------- 6th 21:41 to 05:13
Last Quarter -- 12th 01:44 to 11:50 New ------------- 21st 05:06 to 21:49
First Quarter -- 28th 12:21 to 00:48
We are now in what’s laughingly called Summertime, but that only means that the clocks have been put forward so making the onset of darkness, an hour later. The nights are also less dark and shorter in overall time. The only solution is the emigrate south of the equator, the Namibian desert would be a good choice.
On the 21st of May there will be an Annular Solar Eclipse. The centre of the eclipse will run across the north Pacific. From this latitude there will be but a small edge of the Sun cut off by the Moon. Unfortunately that will be at 1am so we’ll not see it.
Jupiter is out of contention all month, being on the far side of the Sun.
Mars is high in south of the sky, under the belly of Leo on the 1st of May, at mag 0 and 10 arcsec. It sets that night at 3:30 ,as dawn is beginning to light up the sky. It continues to decline through the month and by the end is at mag 0.5 and 8 arcsec. Though past its prime still worth observing. Like a polished brass beacon.Uranus is close to the Sun but can be seen an hour before the Sun rises in the East, but it will be in bright dawn twilight so not easy without a well set goto telescope. It will become easier as the month progresses, but not by much, so not really worth the effort for what there is to see. It is running ahead of the Sun so sets in broad daylight and cannot be seen at all in the west.
Similarly Neptune is a difficult target all month, visible if at all only in the east at dawn. Visible for longer than Uranus, but so much smaller that again, not worth the effort for those not completely addicted to Neptune.
Saturn rises in broad daylight and is therefore well up at dusk. It sets on the 1st at dawn, so can be seen all night. It remains 19 arcsec and mag 0.3 all month. By month’s end it will be due south at dusk and will set at 3:15am, in brightening dawn.
Mercury is too close to the Sun for observation all month.
Meteor Showers.
The Eta Aquarids are worth watching, with a ZHR of 60 at the peak on the 6th. Unfortunately, the full Moon is up all night though 90° of the radiant.
Comets
Only Garradd is known to be visible to us mere mortals and that only with good binoculars or a telescope. Fading and gradually slowing, on a track more directly away from us. It’ll be mag 8 at the start of the month and 9.5 at the end. That’s as though it was a point source of light, but it’s widely spread so will be much fainter. Two tails were apparent in photographs in February, but will be much more difficult to see this month.
As usual, if you'd like a star chart of some part of the sky for some date, get in touch with the observatory email address.
For details of satellites and Iridium Flares see http://www.heavens-above.com
As usual, if you'd like a star chart of some part of the sky for some date, get in touch with the observatory email address.
For details of satellites and Iridium Flares see http://www.heavens-above.com