Read our May sky notes to find out what’s in the night sky this month!
Map
Constellations
These constellations are well placed in the evening this month, but many more can be seen. Check the star map for more.
Libra, the Scales, can be seen rising in the south east around sunset. It climbs to reach its highest point around midnight at the beginning of the month and 22:00 BST by the end. Three star systems in this constellation contain planets.
Boötes, the Herdsman, can be seen near the zenith in the early evening. At the beginning of the month, it appears towards the east and moves higher overhead, and appears higher each night. Look for the bright star Arcturus by following the arc of the Plough’s handle.
Cygnus, the Swan, rises in the north east around 22:30 BST at the beginning of the month, but at the end of the month rises earlier around 19:30 BST. It rises higher towards the zenith during the night and best views will be just before dawn. Look for the asterism of the Northern Cross to locate it.
Planets
Mercury is too close to the Sun to be seen this month.
Venus can only be seen just before dawn on the eastern horizon. It rises earlier each night, so best views will be at the end of the month when it is at its highest point before dawn, though it is still quite low. Venus will be in conjunction with the Moon on the 24th and at greatest elongation west on the 31st.
Mars appears in the south west at sunset, setting towards the west over the course of the night. As the month goes on, it appears lower and further west with each night, so best views will be just after sunset at the beginning of the month when it is at its highest. Mars will be in conjunction with the Moon on the 4th and make a close approach with the Beehive Cluster (M44) on the 5th.
Jupiter appears at sunset on the western horizon. It is already low at the beginning of the month, and appears lower each night, making it difficult to see without a clear horizon. Best views will be just after sunset at the beginning of the month.
Saturn rises close to Venus on the eastern horizon just before sunrise. It stays low throughout the month, but does rise a little earlier each night, making it easier to see at the end of the month when it is higher in the sky before dawn. Saturn will be in conjunction with the dwarf planet Ceres on the 1st, reach its equinox on the 6th (meaning the rings are edge on to the Earth), and be in conjunction with the Moon on the 22nd.
Uranus is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. It is too close to the Sun to be seen this month.
Neptune is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. This month it will be tricky to see because it appears very close to Saturn in the sky, following the same movements. Neptune will be in conjunction with the dwarf planet Ceres on the 10th.
Meteor Showers
The η-Aquariids reach their peak on the 6th. The radiant (apparent origin point) of the meteors will be in the constellation of Aquarius. Meteors will be visible between 02:37 and 04:44 BST, when Aquarius is in the sky. Best displays are likely to be just before dawn, as this constellation reaches its highest point after sunrise. You will able to see about 12 meteors per hour.
Moon
Full Moon: 12th
Last Quarter: 20th
New Moon: 27th
First Quarter: 4th
The Moon reaches perigee, its closest point to the Earth, on the 26th and apogee, its furthest point on the 11th. This effect is not visually apparent.
The Moon will be at aphelion, its furthest point from the Sun, on the 14th and perihelion, its closest point, on the 25th. This effect is not visually apparent.
Points of Interest
Asteroid 4 Vesta will be at opposition on the 2nd. It will be visible all night and reaches its highest point around 01:12 BST above the southern horizon. You will need a pair of binoculars to see this.
Asteroid 9 Metis will be at opposition on the 9th. It will be in the constellation of Libra, and visible between 23:39 and 02:23 BST. Its highest point will be at 01:04 BST above the southern horizon. You will need at least a 4-inch telescope to see this.
The globular cluster Messier 5 will be well placed for observation, particularly on the night of the 12th. It will be in the constellation of Serpens and is visible all night. Its highest point will be at 01:04, above the southern horizon. You will need a pair of binoculars to see this.
Visit Spot the Station to find out when the ISS will be visible from your location.
Last updated: 17th April 2025.