Hi folks. Here’s an overview of nine amazing astronomy events that you don’t want to miss in May 2023. I release multiple videos with information about awesome astronomy events that are about to happen. So if you like the video, please like, share, and subscribe to the channel, so you won’t miss out on future astronomy events. Alright, let’s start the overview!
May 5/6: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
Exciting news for those residing in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand! On the night of May 5, 2023, a deep penumbral lunar eclipse will be visible to you. Although it is the most subtle type of lunar eclipse, it is still a rare and breathtaking astronomical event to witness.
May 5: Full Flower Moon
The Full Moon on May 5 is known as Flower Moon, to signify the flowers that bloom during this month.
May 6-7: Eta-aquarids Meteor Shower
The η-Aquariid meteor shower will be active from 19 April to 28 May, producing its peak rate of meteors around 6 May. Over this period, there will be a chance of seeing η-Aquariid meteors whenever the shower’s radiant point – in the constellation Aquarius – is above the horizon, with the number of visible meteors increasing the higher the radiant point is in the sky. At its peak, the shower is expected to produce a nominal rate of around 40 meteors per hour. However, with an almost full moon, it will be tricky to notice the meteors.
May 9: η-Lyrid meteor shower 2023
The η-Lyrid meteor shower will be active from 3 May to 14 May, producing its peak rate of meteors around 9 May. Over this period, there will be a chance of seeing η-Lyrid meteors whenever the shower’s radiant point – in the constellation Lyra – is above the horizon, with the number of visible meteors increasing the higher the radiant point is in the sky. At its peak, the shower is expected to produce a nominal rate of around 3 meteors per hour. The Moon will be 88% lit, making it harder to detect meteors.
May 11: The Moon at perigee
The Moon will reach the closest point along its orbit to the Earth and will appear slightly larger than at other times on May 11. The Moon’s distance from the Earth varies because its orbit is not perfectly circular – it is slightly oval-shaped, tracing out a path called an ellipse. As the Moon traverses this elliptical path around the Earth each month, its distance varies by 14%, between 356,500 km at perigee, the closest approach to the Earth, and 406,700 km at apogee, when the moon is farthest from Earth.
May 13: Close approach of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon and Saturn will make a close approach, passing within 2 and a half degrees of each other in the morning of May 13. Before sunrise, look towards the South East. The Moon will be 23 days old and 32% lit. The Moon will be at magnitude -11.7; and Saturn will be at magnitude 0.8. Both objects will lie in the constellation Aquarius.
May 23: Close approach of the Moon and Venus
The Moon and Venus will make a close approach, passing within 2 degrees of each other on May 23th. The crescent Moon will be 4 days old and 18% lit. The pair will be visible after sunset in the western sky until it sets just after midnight. The Moon will be at a magnitude of minus 10, and Venus will be at magnitude minus 4. Both objects will lie in the constellation Gemini.
May 24: close approach Moon and Mars
On May 24th, the Moon and Mars will make a close approach, passing within 3 degrees of each other in the western evening sky. The Moon will be 5 days old. The pair will be visible after sunset at 09:46 pm before it sets at 01:54. he Moon will be at mag -11.0; and Mars will be at mag 1.5. Both objects will lie in the constellation Cancer.
May 27: Moon at First Quarter
The Moon orbits the Earth once every four weeks, causing its phases to cycle through new moon, first quarter, full moon, last quarter, and back to new moon once every 29.5 days. On May 27th, at first quarter, the Moon is 50% lit and it appears high in the sky at sunset before sinking towards the horizon and setting in the middle of the night.
I hope you’ll be able to watch some of these beautiful astronomical events in May 2023.