Bright Planets and a Meteor Shower

May brings longer, warmer nights and plenty of reasons to look skyward. This month features excellent views of the Moon, bright planets, and a classic meteor shower—perfect for stargazers of all levels. Let’s take a look at what’s happening in the sky for May astronomy 2025.

1. Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower (May 5–6)

One of the year’s best meteor showers, the Eta Aquariids, peaks on the night of May 5–6. This shower originates from debris left by Halley’s Comet and can produce up to 50 meteors per hour under dark skies. The best time to view is in the early morning hours, just before dawn. Look toward the east, near the constellation Aquarious, and enjoy the fast, bright meteors. A waning crescent Moon means minimal interference from moonlight this year—ideal conditions for meteor spotting!

Shooting Star – Matt Robinson

2. Full Flower Moon (May 12)

The Full Moon rises on May 12, traditionally called the Flower Moon, marking the season of spring blooms. It will rise just after sunset and shine brightly all night. While not a supermoon, it will still be a striking presence in the sky, great for lunar photography and casual observation.

Full Moon – Matt Robinson

3. Jupiter and Mars in the Evening Sky

Just after sunset, you can enjoy stunning planetary views in May. Jupiter and Mars will be visible in the western sky after sunset throughout the month. The brighter of the two, Jupiter, will be especially noticeable near the horizon, with reddish Mars following behind as they set late into the early morning bringing an excellent show for May’s astronomy.

Jupiter and Mars – Gianluca Masi

4. Saturn and Venus Returns

Saturn and Venus begin to rise in the early morning hours, reappearing from the Sun’s glare briefly. Look southeast before dawn to catch a glimpse of both planets with Venus the brightest as they gradually climbs higher in the sky each day.

With a meteor shower, brilliant planets, and a bright Full Moon, May is a fantastic time to step outside and reconnect with the night sky. Thanks for reading our May astronomy blog. Happy stargazing!

Saturn Venus – Ave Calvar Martinez

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Image Credits: Matt Robinson, Ave Calvar Martinez, Gianluca Masi