May 2024

     With April being SUCH a packed month of events that were dependent on precise timing, May brings us reliable sights with slow-rolling changes. Mercury, Mars, Saturn, and the Moon all dance in the morning twilight all month as we gear up for Spring and Summer constellations.

Naked-eye PLANETS

Sunset - None

Throughout the night - None

Morning - Saturn, Mars, Mercury – These three planets start the month off pretty close to each other.  Saturn is up in the SE, with Mars about 15° to the left, and Mercury about 15° to the left of that, very low on the horizon.  Through the month, Saturn moves far to the right, and Mercury to the left.  On the 31st, they are 30° away from each other. 

EVENTS

Last Quarter Moon – 1st (Visible midnight into the morning)

Morning Crescents (look East in the AM)

New Moon – 7th (darkest skies)

Evening Crescents (look West after Sunset)

First Quarter Moon – 15th (Visible until midnight)

Evening Gibbous (Mostly lit, after Sunset)

Full Moon – 23rd (Visible all night)

Waning Gibbous (Mostly lit, rises later at night)

Last Quarter Moon – 30th (Visible midnight into the morning)

2nd - 6th – CLOSE ENCOUNTER – Moon, Saturn, Mars, Mercury – Get out between 5:00am and 6:00am and get a very clear look at the Eastern horizon.  During that hour, you should be able to see the Moon as a VERY thin crescent.  On the 2nd, the Moon will be to the right of the planets, which, moving from right to left, are Saturn, Mars, and Mercury, each about 15° apart from each other.  Each day the Moon will move to the left about 12° toward and then through the planets. On the 3rd, it will be closer, but still to the right of Saturn. On the 4th, right in between Mars and Saturn. 5th, between Mars and Mercury, and right next to Mercury on the 6th.  You’ll need some very clear views to pick up all of the planets, but it is doable.

31st – CLOSE ENCOUNTER – Moon, Saturn – Only 1­° apart! You’ll be able to fit your pinky in between Saturn and the 3rd quarter Moon this night.  Just look SE, find the Moon, and Saturn will be right above it. 

And that’s the sky for this month! If you find this advance notice of the night sky helpful, please support this work by finding Last Minute Astronomer on Patreon, and don’t forget to follow Last Minute Astronomer on Facebook and Instagram. Till next month, I’m the Last Minute Astronomer wishing you fruitful plans and clear skies. Music was produced by Deep Sky Dude and used with permission.