Introduction
The location of the stars and
can be learnt throughout a single year from a book. Each month of the year, the same stars are visible from a given location. Different stars and
constellations are visible as the year progresses. For example, in London, the constellation of Orion is always visible in the evenings of winter
months of January and February. Scorpius is visible in the summer months of June and July around midnight.
The planets resemble stars except that, generally, they do not twinkle. Unlike the stars whose patterns are fixed, planets wander through the sky
changing their positions amongst the starry background. This means that their periods of visibility change as the relative position of the Earth,
Sun and planet vary. In one year Mars may be visible in August at midnight. In another year it may be behind the Sun and invisible from Earth during
August.
This page gives the details of visibility for the five naked eye planets: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. It also gives information about
,
and non-regular phenomena like
,
and
.
The Observers' Glossary explains the terms used. Alternatively run the mouse cursor over terms in .
The descriptions below are for viewers in the Northern Hemisphere, especially London and the United Kingdom.
The planetary information is valid for any location at the same or similar Latitude (51.5°N).
Note that a degree in the sky is twice the apparent diameter of the Moon.
All times on this page are London (UK) times. This is normally GMT (Greenwich Mean Time also known as Universal Time).
In the United Kingdom, the clocks go forward by one hour for British Summer Time (BST) between mid March and late October.
A 24 hour clock is used so that 7pm is written 19:00.
Mercury
Mercury is visible after sunset for the first three weeks of the month setting two hours after sunset.
On 6th, the thin crescent Moon will be just above Mercury giving an excellent opportunity to locate the planet.
Mercury will be at its highest during the second week of May but gets fainter during this, its best evening
appearance of the year.
Looking North West at 21:40 on 6th.
Mercury can be seen to the left and below the thin crescent Moon.
Venus
Venus is too close to the Sun to be visible.
Mars
Mars is visible in the evening setting around 01:20 by the end of the month. The planet continues to fade as it
moves away from the Earth.
Mars begins May in Gemini close to the Twin stars, Castor and Pollux. The planet's motion brings
it in line with the Twins on 3rd. The motion of Mars in this very starry part of the sky is easy to spot from
night to night. This motion carries Mars into Cancer on 5th
Mars will be seen to the right of the Moon on 10th.
Between 21st and 24th Mars passes through the Beehive star cluster. A pair of binocculars will show the planet
among this pretty group of stars. The best time to look is around 10pm when the sky is dark enough and the planet and star cluster still high enough.
The sky towards the West at 22:00 on 10th. Three planets are visible.
Mars is next to the Moon - the Twins are to the right of Mars. Mercury is
close to the horizon to the right. Saturn is higher and to the left close to the star Regulus.
Jupiter
Jupiter rises at 01:30 at the beginning of May and is visible in the low in the south by dawn. By the end of the
month the planet will be rising around 00:20.
Jupiter is in Sagittarius and is brighter than any star but remains low in the sky throughout
the month.
Look for it on the morning of 24th when the planet will be seen close to the Moon.
Looking South East on 24 May at 02:00 (London Time).
Jupiter is visible above the Moon.
Saturn
Saturn is in Leo close to that constellation's brightest star, Regulus.
The planet is visible for much of the night setting a couple of hours after midnight. A good pair of binocculars or a small telescope
will show the rings.
Look for the planet on the night of the 12th when it will be above the Moon.
Looking West at 23:30 on 12th.
Saturn is above the Moon along with the star Regulus. Mars is to the right and lower down close to the Twins.
The Sun
During May the Sun continues moving northwards. The days continue to grow longer but the rate of increase is slowing down. During the month, London
gains 1 hour 25 minutes of daylight.
| Date |
Sunrise |
Midday |
Sunset |
Length of Day |
Sun's Noon Altitude |
Notes |
|
01-May
|
05:32
|
12:58
|
20:24
|
14h 52m
|
53.8°
|
|
|
02-May
|
05:30
|
12:57
|
20:26
|
14h 55m
|
54.1°
|
|
|
03-May
|
05:28
|
12:57
|
20:28
|
14h 59m
|
54.4°
|
|
|
04-May
|
05:26
|
12:57
|
20:29
|
15h 02m
|
54.7°
|
|
|
05-May
|
05:25
|
12:57
|
20:31
|
15h 06m
|
55.0°
|
New Moon at 13:18 |
|
06-May
|
05:23
|
12:57
|
20:32
|
15h 09m
|
55.2°
|
Moon close to Mercury |
|
07-May
|
05:21
|
12:57
|
20:34
|
15h 12m
|
55.5°
|
|
|
08-May
|
05:19
|
12:57
|
20:36
|
15h 16m
|
55.8°
|
|
|
09-May
|
05:18
|
12:57
|
20:37
|
15h 19m
|
56.0°
|
|
|
10-May
|
05:16
|
12:57
|
20:39
|
15h 22m
|
56.3°
|
Moon close to Mars |
|
11-May
|
05:14
|
12:57
|
20:40
|
15h 25m
|
56.6°
|
|
|
12-May
|
05:13
|
12:57
|
20:42
|
15h 28m
|
56.8°
|
Moon close to Saturn; Evening Half Moon |
|
13-May
|
05:11
|
12:57
|
20:43
|
15h 32m
|
57.1°
|
|
|
14-May
|
05:10
|
12:57
|
20:45
|
15h 35m
|
57.3°
|
Sun enters Taurus |
|
15-May
|
05:08
|
12:57
|
20:46
|
15h 38m
|
57.5°
|
|
|
16-May
|
05:07
|
12:57
|
20:48
|
15h 41m
|
57.8°
|
|
|
17-May
|
05:05
|
12:57
|
20:49
|
15h 43m
|
58.0°
|
|
|
18-May
|
05:04
|
12:57
|
20:51
|
15h 46m
|
58.2°
|
|
|
19-May
|
05:03
|
12:57
|
20:52
|
15h 49m
|
58.4°
|
|
|
20-May
|
05:01
|
12:57
|
20:54
|
15h 52m
|
58.6°
|
Full Moon at 03:11 |
|
21-May
|
05:00
|
12:57
|
20:55
|
15h 54m
|
58.8°
|
|
|
22-May
|
04:59
|
12:57
|
20:56
|
15h 57m
|
59.0°
|
|
|
23-May
|
04:58
|
12:57
|
20:58
|
16h 00m
|
59.2°
|
|
|
24-May
|
04:56
|
12:57
|
20:59
|
16h 02m
|
59.4°
|
Moon close to Jupiter |
|
25-May
|
04:55
|
12:57
|
21:00
|
16h 04m
|
59.6°
|
|
|
26-May
|
04:54
|
12:58
|
21:02
|
16h 07m
|
59.7°
|
|
|
27-May
|
04:53
|
12:58
|
21:03
|
16h 09m
|
59.9°
|
|
|
28-May
|
04:52
|
12:58
|
21:04
|
16h 11m
|
60.1°
|
Morning Half Moon |
|
29-May
|
04:51
|
12:58
|
21:05
|
16h 13m
|
60.2°
|
|
|
30-May
|
04:50
|
12:58
|
21:06
|
16h 15m
|
60.4°
|
|
|
31-May
|
04:50
|
12:58
|
21:07
|
16h 17m
|
60.5°
|
|
The Moon
| Date |
Notes |
|---|
| 5 |
New Moon |
| 6 |
Moon close to Mercury |
| 10 |
Moon close to Mars |
| 12 |
Half Moon - Moon close to Saturn |
| 20 |
Full Moon |
| 24 |
Moon close to Jupiter |
| 28 |
Half Moon |
Next Month
Saturn and Mars in the evening and moving closer together. Mercury after sunset. Jupiter in the morning.
All times on this page are London (UK) times.
Sources: Astronomy Now magazine, Starry Night Pro, USA Naval Observatory and UK Nautical Almanac Office.
© 2008 KryssTal
All sky images by Starry Night Pro
Eclipse predictions (maps) courtesy of Fred Espenak, NASA's GSFC
Observers' Glossary
An explanation of the terms used by sky observers. Includes descriptions of how the objects of the solar system behave in the sky as seen from Earth (especially the Northern Hemisphere high latitudes).
KryssTal Related Pages
Tables and data about the Sun, Earth, Moon, planets, asteroids and comets. All terms used are explained.
An account of how various properties of stars can be measured by studying starlight. Includes brightness, distance, luminosity, temperature, mass, radius, density and an introduction to the H-R Diagram.
A table containing a list of the 20 brightest stars in the Earth's sky. Explanations of all the associated terms like magnitude, spectral type and radial velocity.
A detailed account about eclipses, transits and occultations. These are irregular phenomena that can be observed in the sky. Includes eclipse trips around the world with photos and well as photos of recent transists of Mercury and Venus.
In astronomy distances and times are confusing because of the large numbers of zeros in the figures. This is an easy-to-understand scaling of the Universe in both space and time. Distances in space are represented by the time light takes to travel there. The chronology of the Universe is compared to a real year.
How humanity came from believing Creation Myths to postulating the Inflationary Big Bang Theory. The key stages in our understanding of our place in the cosmos and the people who broadened our understanding.
What do we mean by the words day, week, month, year? Who invented our calendar? When did the third
millennium begin? The relation between time and astronomy.
The force that moves apples and planets. A short introduction to the ideas of Kepler and Newton that culminated with the theory of Universal Gravitation.
A look at the mathematics of a sphere with a section on sundials and the equation of time.
External Skywatching Links
These links will open in a separate window
StarDate Online
An excellent online skywatchers' magazine featuring detailed monthly information about astronomical events.
The Night Sky This Week
Weekly planetary details with finder maps.
Telescope House
A London based source of astronomical equipment, telescopes, software, maps and books.
Southern Sky Watch
Sky watchers information for the southern hemisphere.
Starry Night Pro
Superb planetarium software. Simulate the sky from anywhere on the Earth and any time.
