There is no shortage of opportunities to do a little astronomy in May 2022. A lunar eclipse and a swarm of shooting stars await the most motivated observers in particular.
April ended with a beautiful solar eclipse, unfortunately invisible from France. It’s time to discover the astronomical phenomena that the month of May 2022 has in store for us. Many planetary rapprochements are to be expected, as well as a lunar eclipse. So many opportunities to practice astronomy, even if you don’t have a telescope.
Here are the events and dates to remember for the month of May.
Moon phases
The Moon always presents the same face to the Earth. But our perception of the Earth’s natural satellite varies over time. The shadow that moves little by little on this side of the Moon facing us is quite simply the passage of days and nights on the star. We talk about phases to find your bearings.
- the Monday May 9, it is the first quarter of the Moon. You can see a half moon. The Moon is also said to be in eastern quadrature.
- the Monday May 16, it is the full moon. Its entire visible face is illuminated by the Sun.
- the Sunday May 22 corresponds to the phase of the last quarter. The Moon is in western quadrature.
- the Monday May 30, it is the day of the new moon. It is not visible in the sky.
Planets visible to the naked eye
Did you know that some planets in the solar system are visible to the naked eye? You can practice finding them in the sky in May. Here is which constellations they hide in and at what times.
| Planet | Mercury | Venus | March | Jupiter | Saturn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From 1 to 8 | Mercury9:20 p.m. – 10:20 p.m. Taurus | Venus5:50 a.m. – 6:20 a.m. Pisces | March5:20 a.m. – 6:20 a.m. Aquarius | Jupiter5:40 a.m. – 6:20 a.m. Pisces | Saturn4:30 – 6:20 Capricorn |
| From 9 to 15 | Mercury9:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Taurus | Venus5:40 a.m. – 6:10 a.m. Whale | March5 a.m. – 6:10 a.m. Aquarius | Jupiter5:10 a.m. – 6:10 a.m. Pisces | Saturn4:10 – 6:10 Capricorn |
| From 16 to 22 | Mercuryinvisible | Venus5:20 a.m. – 6 a.m. Pisces | March4h40 – 6h Aquarius | Jupiter4h50 – 6h Pisces | Saturn3h40 – 6h Capricorn |
| From 23 to 29 | Mercuryinvisible | Venus5:10 a.m. – 5:50 a.m. Pisces | March4h20 – 5h50 Pisces | Jupiter4h20 – 5h50 Pisces | Saturn3:10 – 5:50 Capricorn |
| From 30 to 31 | Mercuryinvisible | Venus5:10 – 5:50 Aries | March4h – 5h50 Pisces | Jupiter4h – 5h50 Pisces | Saturn2h40 – 5h50 Capricorn |
Other astronomical phenomena
Eclipse, shooting stars, conjunctions… May 2022 will be punctuated by many other astronomical events.
- the Sunday May 1 at dawn, Venus and Jupiter are very close in the sky.
- the tuesday 3 and the Wednesday May 4take advantage of the twilight to see the earthshine.
- the Friday, May 6it is the maximum of a swarm of shooting stars, the Eta Aquarids.
- the Monday May 16 takes place a total lunar eclipse, which one can try to see at dawn in France, even if the conditions are not optimal. The end of the totality phase will not be visible in France.
- the Sunday May 22the quarter Moon passes near Saturn.
- the Wednesday May 25Jupiter and Mars are close to the Moon in the morning.
- the Friday May 27the Moon is very close to Venus at dawn.
- the Sunday May 29take advantage of the proximity between Jupiter and Mars.
Here you are, ready and ready to admire the sky throughout the month of May 2022. Happy watching!