May 2025: The Best Events in the skies for you to Explore
What’s in the Sky for May 2025
May 2025 the days are getting longer and the night shorter in the Northern Hemisphere. We can expect to stay up later to see the dark skies. That does not mean there is less to see, we just need to prepare for later nights. This is the time to explore the depths of the Deep Sky, the galaxies of Virgo and Coma Berenices, the Dark skies around Bootes and Hydra. As morning approaches, you can start to explore the Globular Clusters in Ophiuchus.
Each celestial event provides a unique opportunity to observe the cosmos. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or a beginner looking to explore the night sky, these highlights will surely captivate your interest. Make sure to check the weather forecast as clear skies are essential for optimal viewing.
This Month the Rings of Saturn appear edge on, this is an event that happens every 13 to 15 years. This started in March, just as Saturn moved into conjunction with sun. It will appear in the morning sky with the rings edge-on. As Saturn rises earlier and earlier in the morning, you can get a chance to see the Rings emerge from being edge on and present the other side of the rings for the first time in 13 years.
April 4th – First Quarter Moon
Evening Sky: Look for constellations like Gemini and Leo with it’s brightest star Regulus. In Cancer (Between Gemini and Leo,) look for the faint cluster of stars known as the Beehive Cluster.
April 12 – Full Moon on the boundary between Virgo and Libra
The following table shows Solar System/Lunar Events in May 2025: March will be filled with fascinating solar system events. Each event provides a unique opportunity to learn more about our solar neighborhood. Make sure to plan a few stargazing nights to catch these celestial wonders. Print this and hang it on your wall!
April 20 – Last Quarter Moon
April 26 – New Moon
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| Waxing crescent Moon near Pleiades (evening) | Waxing crescent Moon above Jupiter | First Qtr Moon | Try to observe the "Straight Wall"/"Rupes Recta" | |||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| Saturn begins to appear at Dawn, (with Rings edge on) | Mercury Near Saturn at Dawn | Mars in a line with Castor and Pollux - Gemini adds a star to become a triplet | Apogee Full Moon (smallest moon) Moon near Spica in Virgo | |||
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| Last Quarter Mon | Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks | Waning Crescent Moon, Venus and Saturn in a triangle at Dawn (Sad face today due to position of Moon!) | A rare smile conjunction - This phenomenon happens when the crescent moon, Saturn and Venus align in a way that resembles a smiling face. The two planets will appear as bright dots above the thin sliver of the moon, creating an eye-catching celestial smile | |||
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | |||
| New Moon Venus at Greatest Dawn Brilliancy | Venus 4 ° above Saturn (low at dawn) |
Deep Sky Highlights May 2025
This section will explore some of the most breathtaking deep sky objects you can observe in March 2025. From nebulae to star clusters, each object tells a story of the universe’s history and beauty. Make sure to have a good star map handy as you venture into the depths of the night sky.
For the best experience, consider visiting locations known for aurora viewing, such as national parks or remote areas with minimal light pollution. Bring warm clothing and snacks for a comfortable experience while you wait for the lights to appear.
Evening Sky
The constellation of Leo dominates the sky in the Evening.
Midnight Sky:
The Virgo Cluster is another highlight for midnight observers. the Virgo Supercluster is an impressive group of galaxies to explore. This vast collection of galaxies stretches across millions of light-years and can be studied in detail with a telescope.
M13, the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules, is another midnight target. With a telescope, you can see thousands of stars packed closely together, creating a beautiful sight that highlights the beauty of the cosmos.
Morning Sky:
In the morning sky we can expect to see the summer triangle of Cygnus, Aquilla, and Lyra and the stars of Pegasus before dawn.
Aurora/Northern Lights
The nights are beginning to get shorter, that does not mean that the Northern lights stop, it just means you might have to stay up later to see them.
Refer to our Astro-links page for detailed information on how to best prepare for aurora viewing and what equipment to bring.
Meteor Showers
In May, the primary meteor shower to look for is the Eta Aquarids, active from late April to late May, with its peak occurring around May 5-6. NASA Science notes that the shower is associated with Halley’s Comet and can be viewed in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
Comets
In May 2025, Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) could be a bright comet visible in the Northern Hemisphere, especially at dusk. Additionally, Comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN) is also expected to be visible, making its closest approach to the Sun on May 1st. Comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN) is likely to be low in the morning sky from the Northern Hemisphere. The head of Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) disintegrated, the tail is still visible, but is fading quickly.
Visit our Astro-links page for information on Comets