From close encounters between planets and star clusters to one of the year’s best meteor showers, May offers plenty of reasons to spend some extra time under the night sky.
Below, we’ll guide you through each event — sharing when to look, where to find it, and tips to help you get the best view of these celestial highlights.
What's Happening in the Night Sky This May
- May 5: Mars swings close to the Beehive Cluster (M44) in Cancer — a sight best enjoyed with binoculars.
- May 5–6: The Eta Aquariids meteor shower peaks, sending fast, glowing meteors streaking across the early morning sky.
- May 11: Messier 5 reaches its highest position in the sky — a perfect chance to catch this ancient star cluster through a telescope.
- May 12: The Full Flower Moon lights up the night, rising in Libra.
- May 31: Venus shines as the Morning Star, reaching greatest eastern elongation before sunrise.
May 5
Mars and the Beehive Cluster
Kick off your May skywatching with a pairing you won't want to miss. On the evening of May 5, Mars will make a close approach to M44, also known as the Beehive Cluster, in the constellation Cancer.
At their nearest, the Red Planet and the star cluster will pass within just 37.6 arcminutes of each other—a visual treat for both casual stargazers and serious telescope users.
Where and When to Look
To catch this event, look toward the western sky after sunset. Mars will shine at a magnitude of +1.0, easily visible to the naked eye, while M44 glows at +3.1 magnitude.
The pair will reach their closest approach around mid-evening, though they will remain well-placed for observation for several hours after dark.
- Mars Coordinates: Right Ascension 08h41m00s, Declination +20°16'
- M44 Coordinates: Right Ascension 08h40m20s, Declination +19°40'
Observing Tips
- Use Binoculars for the Best View: While a telescope might be your first instinct, Mars and M44 will be slightly too far apart to comfortably fit in a high-power telescope's field of view. A pair of binoculars or a wide-field scope will frame both objects, showing the rusty glow of Mars set against the shimmering stars of the Beehive Cluster.
- Choose a Dark Sky Location: M44, an open cluster of faint stars, is best viewed away from city lights. Find a dark sky site to really appreciate this cosmic pairing.
- Timing Is Key: Start observing shortly after dusk when Mars is still reasonably high above the horizon to avoid atmospheric distortion, which can blur details.
- Use a Star Map or App: Cancer is a relatively faint constellation. To locate Mars and M44 quickly, use a star chart or a mobile astronomy app to help you zero in on their position west of the bright star Regulus in Leo.
- Capture the Moment: If you're into astrophotography, this is a great opportunity. Use a DSLR with a telephoto lens or a camera attached to a tracking mount to photograph Mars beside the Beehive Cluster.
May 5 - 6
Eta Aquariids Meteor Shower Peaks
Following Mars' cosmic dance with the Beehive Cluster, the Eta Aquariids meteor shower will reach its peak on the night of May 5–6.
Known for producing swift, graceful meteors with persistent trails, this shower is one of the year's best for early risers—especially those eager to sharpen their skills spotting fast-moving meteors.
About the Eta Aquariids
- Active Period: April 19 – May 28, 2025
- Peak Night: May 5–6, 2025
- Radiant Coordinates: Right Ascension 22h32m, Declination -1°
- Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR): ~50 meteors per hour (under ideal conditions)
- Meteor Velocity: 65.4 km/sec (40.7 miles/sec)
- Parent Object: Comet 1P/Halley
When and Where to Look
The best time to view the Eta Aquariids is just before dawn, when the radiant—the point from which the meteors appear to originate—climbs higher into the eastern sky. The radiant lies in the constellation Aquarius, but don't feel confined to that area; Eta Aquariid meteors can flash across the entire sky.
Good news for 2025: Although the Moon will be about 64% full, it will set long before the prime meteor-watching hours, providing a dark sky window perfect for catching meteors at their brightest.
Observing Tips
- Maximize Your Meteor Count: Give your eyes at least 20–30 minutes to adapt to the darkness. Avoid checking your phone or any bright screens while observing.
- Find a Wide-Open Viewing Spot: Open fields, hilltops, or any area with an unobstructed view of the sky are ideal. The Eta Aquariids are known for swift meteors streaking across large sections of the sky.
- Use Just Your Eyes: Telescopes and binoculars are not ideal for meteor showers. A reclining chair or blanket will make it easier to watch the broad sky comfortably.
- Face East: While meteors can appear anywhere, facing east or southeast increases your chances of spotting more trails radiating from Aquarius.
- Check the Weather Forecast: Clear, cloudless skies are key. Consider scouting multiple locations in case your primary choice gets overcast.
May 11
Messier 5 at Its Peak
The night of May 11 offers telescope users a perfect opportunity to observe one of the oldest and finest globular clusters in the sky: Messier 5 (M5).
On this evening, M5 will reach its highest point in the sky around midnight, perfectly positioned for detailed observation.
About Messier 5
- Object Type: Globular Cluster (NGC 5904)
- Magnitude: 5.7
- Constellation: Serpens
- Coordinates: Right Ascension 15h18m30s, Declination +2°04'
When and Where to Look
Around midnight local time on May 11, look toward the constellation Serpens, located in the southeastern sky for most northern hemisphere observers. Although M5 shines at a modest magnitude of 5.7, making it technically visible to the naked eye under the darkest conditions, it truly comes alive through a pair of binoculars or a small telescope.
Thanks to its declination of +2°04', M5 is well-placed for observers across a vast portion of the globe, visible from latitudes between 72°N and 67°S.
Observing Tips
- Use a Small to Medium Telescope: Binoculars can reveal M5 as a faint smudge or hazy patch. With apertures of 6 inches (150mm) or larger, you’ll see a densely packed center surrounded by a grainy halo of stars.
- Choose a Dark Sky Location: Light pollution can easily wash out faint clusters like M5. Head to a rural location or a designated dark-sky park for the best view.
- Find the Keystone of Serpens: Use nearby bright stars like Unukalhai (Alpha Serpentis) as a guidepost. Star charts or mobile astronomy apps can make locating M5 much easier.
- Maximize Contrast: Observing after the Moon has set or during a moonless part of the night will significantly enhance the contrast, making the cluster stand out better against the background sky.
- Be Patient: Globular clusters reveal more detail the longer you observe. Spend some time at the eyepiece to let your eyes adapt and begin picking out individual stars around M5's periphery.
May 12
Flower Full Moon
May’s night skies continue with the arrival of the Flower Full Moon. Reaching peak illumination at 12:56 P.M. EDT on May 12, this full moon is a classic springtime highlight, lighting up the night from dusk until dawn.
About the Flower Full Moon
- Peak Illumination: May 12, 12:56 P.M. EDT
- Constellation: Libra
- Coordinates at Peak: Right Ascension 15h13m00s, Declination -22°18'
- Distance from Earth: ~405,000 km
- Angular Size: 29'28"
Why Is It Called the Flower Moon?
The name "Flower Moon" is steeped in tradition, deriving from Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. It reflects the abundance of blooming flowers across North America during May, symbolizing renewal, growth, and the full vibrancy of spring.
When and Where to Look
The Flower Moon will rise in the east around sunset on May 12 and will remain visible throughout the night, setting in the west around sunrise the following morning. It will appear in the constellation Libra, glowing warmly against the backdrop of springtime stars.
Observing Tips
- Catch Moonrise or Moonset for Dramatic Views: The Moon often looks largest and most colorful when it’s near the horizon, thanks to atmospheric effects. Find a clear, unobstructed view facing east at sunset or west at dawn for the best scenes.
- Use a Telescope or Binoculars for Detail: Although the full Moon’s brightness can wash out some of its finer features, a small telescope or binoculars will still reveal craters along the limb and the subtle shading of lunar maria (the dark "seas" on the Moon’s surface).
- Experiment with Photography: The Flower Moon provides a great chance for astrophotographers to capture beautiful shots, especially when framed with natural elements like trees, mountains, or even city skylines.
- Avoid Light Pollution if Possible: While the full Moon is bright enough to be seen even from urban areas, heading to a darker site will enhance the clarity and beauty of your experience—and you'll catch more background stars, too.
May 31
Venus at Greatest Eastern Elongation
May concludes with Venus reaching its greatest eastern elongation on May 31. Shining at magnitude -4.3, Venus will dominate the morning sky, easily outshining every celestial object except the Sun and Moon.
About Venus at Greatest Elongation
- Peak Date: May 31, 2025
- Separation from Sun: Approximately 45.9° along the ecliptic
- Constellation: Pisces
- Coordinates: Right Ascension 01h33m40s, Declination +7°28'
- Magnitude: -4.3
- Angular Size: 23.9"
When and Where to Look
At greatest eastern elongation, Venus will appear west of the Sun, making it visible just before sunrise. Look toward the eastern horizon in the predawn hours. Although Venus’s maximum altitude at sunrise won’t occur until August 7 (around 30° above the horizon), it will already be easily visible thanks to its extreme brightness and its 45.9° separation from the Sun.
Venus will shine brilliantly among the stars of Pisces, positioned near the path of the ecliptic.
Observing Tips
- Start Early: Begin your observations about an hour before sunrise. As the sky begins to brighten, Venus will still stand out clearly in the east.
- Use Binoculars or a Small Telescope: While Venus is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye, a small telescope will reveal its gibbous phase—similar to a miniature version of a half-lit Moon.
- Find a Clear Eastern Horizon: Choose a wide, unobstructed view facing east to maximize your observing window before sunrise.
- Avoid Twilight Glare: Venus shines brilliantly even as the sky lightens, but catching it during deep twilight (before full sunrise) offers the clearest view.
- Enjoy the View for Days: Venus will remain well-placed for morning viewing for several weeks around the peak, so if you miss it on May 31, you’ll have more opportunities.