THE nights become shorter during May, making it more difficult to go stargazing during the early evening hours. The familiar shape of the Plough is still overhead, with the ‘W’ of Cassiopeia low in the sky.

Arcturus and Spica, which can be found by using the curve of the handle of the Plough, are still high up and easily seen. Regulus in Leo is very prominent in the south.

Due south during May is the small but easily found constellation of Corona Borealis (the Northern Crown), a small semi-circle of stars which does look like the object it is named after.

What’s up in the solar system?

The Planets in May

Mercury is still easily visible in the south west during the first ten days of May. It looks like a bright pinkish ‘star’.

Venus is also in the west setting about four hours after the Sun. Venus is the brightest ‘star like’ object in the night sky. On May 19 Venus will be close to the crescent moon. The third planet in the western sky is Jupiter, largest of the planets. Although not as bright as Venus, Jupiter is easy to find. Jupiter will be close to the crescent moon on May 24.

Saturn is now visible in the sky before midnight. The planet can be found low in the south as a dirty yellow looking ‘star-like’ object. Mars is too close to the Sun to be visible this month.

Meteor Showers

There are no major meteor showers visible this month.

Phases of the Moon for May

Full Moon 4th, Last Quarter 11th, New Moon 18th, First Quarter 25th.

The full moon this month is called the Flower Moon. This month flowers are abundant and come into bloom all around us.

The next meeting of the Earby Astronomical society will be on Friday, April 24, at All Saints’ Church, Earby, from 7.30pm to 9pm. The speaker will be Martin Lunn MBE FRAS the title of the talk will be ‘The Spring Sky'.