If you’re the sort of person who loves to chase the sky’s secrets, May 2025 is about to become your favorite chapter of the year. Forget the ordinary – this month, the cosmos has scripted a celestial drama bursting with meteor showers, planetary duets, and lunar rendezvous that will tempt even the sleepiest stargazer outdoors. So, dust off your binoculars, set your alarm for those pre-dawn hours, and prepare to meet the universe at its most spectacular because the heavens are about to put on a show, and you’ve got front-row seats. Here’s the May 2025 astronomical calendar of the biggest celestial events.
2 May: Neptune Near Venus
Get ready for a sky show that’s part rare event, part cosmic hide-and-seek. On 2 May, dreamy Neptune will cozy up to brilliant Venus – the brightest planet in our sky – in a spectacle that promises a special treat for early risers.
How & When To Watch?
- Best time: the closest approach happens at 17:07 GMT (1:07 PM EDT), but your best chance to spot the pair will be during the evening twilight, shortly after sunset. Look westward, low on the horizon, where Venus will shine brilliantly as your guide.
- Naked-eye visibility: Venus dazzles at magnitude -4.7 and is easily seen with the naked eye. Neptune, however, is much dimmer (magnitude 7.8) and cannot be seen without optical aid.
- Telescope tip: while the planets are too far apart to fit in a single telescope view, you can use binoculars to spot Neptune as a tiny blue “star” near Venus. For a closer look, point your telescope at Neptune’s position for a subtle blue disk-just don’t expect dramatic detail.
- Astrophotography Tip: capture the scene with a wide-field lens to include both Venus and Neptune in the same frame. Use a tripod and take multiple exposures during twilight to balance the brightness of Venus and the faint glow of Neptune.
Fun Fact
Although Neptune looks like just a small speck from Earth, it’s actually 17 times the mass of our planet —talk about a heavyweight hiding in plain sight!
5-6 May: Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower Peak
The Eta Aquariid meteor shower isn’t just a night sky event-it’s a cosmic encore from Halley’s Comet, lighting up the predawn hours of 5 and 6 May with swift, silvery streaks. For those willing to trade a few hours of sleep for a memory that lingers, this is the moment to grab a blanket, find a dark patch of sky, and let the universe put on a show.
Stargazer’s Glossary
When it comes to meteor showers, there are two terms you need to know. First one is radiant – the point in the sky where meteors appear to originate. For the Eta Aquariids, it’s near the Water Jar asterism in Aquarius. The second term is Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR). It’s the number of meteors an observer would see per hour under perfect conditions, with the radiant directly overhead.
How & When To Watch?
- Best time: the early hours before dawn on 5 and 6 May 2025. The radiant rises in the east in the wee hours and climbs higher as dawn approaches, so plan to be outside from about 2:00 a.m. local time until twilight. This year, the moon will set before the radiant is high, giving you a dark, moonless sky for optimal viewing.
- Naked-eye visibility: No telescope required, just your eyes and patience. Under ideal conditions, expect up to 40–60 meteors per hour in the Southern Hemisphere, and 10–30 per hour in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Astrophotography Tip: capture the scene with a wide-field lens to include both Venus and Neptune in the same frame. Use a tripod and take multiple exposures during twilight to balance the brightness of Venus and the faint glow of Neptune.
Fun Fact
Every Eta Aquariid meteor you see is a tiny piece of Halley’s Comet, burning up in our atmosphere at a blistering 66 km/s. The same comet also brings us the Orionids in October-a double feature from a single cosmic wanderer.
12 May: Full Moon, Micromoon
On the night of 12 May, the full moon will rise not as a bold showstopper, but as a subtle performer: the Micromoon. This lunar event is a masterclass in celestial understatement, inviting skywatchers to appreciate the moon’s quieter side as it glows from its farthest point in orbit – a gentle reminder that even the universe has its minimalist moments.
Stargazer’s Glossary
Micromoon (or Minimoon, Apogee Moon): A full or new moon that occurs when the moon is at or near apogee-the point in its elliptical orbit farthest from Earth. This makes the moon appear up to 14% smaller and about 30% dimmer than a supermoon, though the difference is subtle to the naked eye.
How & When To Watch?
- Best time: simply step outside after sunset on 12 May and look up – the full Micromoon will be visible from dusk until dawn, weather permitting. For the most dramatic effect, catch it as it rises above the horizon – this is when it appears largest and most golden due to the “moon illusion”.
- Naked-eye visibility: absolutely! The Micromoon is easily visible without any optical aid, though its slightly smaller and dimmer appearance compared to other full moons may go unnoticed unless you’re a seasoned lunar observer.
- Telescope Tip: a telescope or binoculars will reveal the moon’s craters and maria in crisp detail, but you may notice the lunar disk looks a touch smaller than usual. If the brightness feels harsh, use a moon filter or higher magnification for a more comfortable view
- Astrophotography Tip: use a telephoto lens to capture the Micromoon as it rises or sets against a landscape for a sense of scale.
RELATED: Under A May Full Moon: Celebrating The Flower Moon
Fun Fact
While the Micromoon may seem modest, its opposite-the supermoon-can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter. The difference is a result of the moon’s elliptical orbit: sometimes it’s a show-off, sometimes it’s shy, but it’s always worth watching.
13 May: Moon near Antares
In mid-May, the Moon will glide close to Antares, the ruby heart of Scorpius, in a celestial pairing that promises both drama and beauty for night sky enthusiasts. This cosmic encounter is a chance to witness one of the sky’s brightest stars cozying up to our familiar lunar companion.
Stargazer’s Glossary
This time, we need to discuss “Occultation” – when one celestial body passes in front of another, temporarily hiding it from view. In this case, the Moon may briefly cover (or nearly cover) Antares, depending on your location. What is Antares? It’s a red supergiant star about 550 light-years away, known as the “heart of the scorpion” and famous for its fiery hue.
How & When To Watch?
- Best time: the closest approach occurs late in the evening, with the Moon and Antares best viewed from about an hour after sunset until midnight, when both are high enough for comfortable viewing.
- Naked-eye visibility: both the Moon and Antares are easily visible without optical aid. The Moon’s brilliance may outshine Antares at first glance, but if you block the Moon’s glare with your hand or a building, Antares will pop into view as a distinct red star.
- Telescope Tip: a small telescope or binoculars will enhance the view, especially during the moments when Antares appears to “kiss” the lunar limb or, in some locations, disappears behind it.
- Astrophotography Tip: use a telephoto lens to frame both the Moon and Antares together. To reduce lunar glare and capture Antares’ color, try bracketing exposures or using a moon filter.
Fun Fact
Antares is so massive that if it replaced our Sun, its surface would extend beyond the orbit of Mars. Its fiery red color is due to its relatively cool surface temperature-making it a true “red giant” in every sense.
27 May: New Moon
It’s a night when the sky’s most familiar face turns invisible, slipping quietly between Earth and Sun. This lunar phase is a master of disguise, leaving the heavens darker and the stars bolder, perfect for astrophotographers and those who crave the deep silence of a moonless sky.
Stargazer’s Glossary
New Moon is the phase when the Moon is positioned between Earth and the Sun, with its illuminated side facing away from us. During this time, the Moon rises and sets with the Sun and is lost in solar glare, making it essentially invisible from Earth.
How & When To Watch?
- Best time: the best time for stargazing is during the darkest hours after sunset and before sunrise on 27 May. With no moonlight to wash out the sky, this is the ideal window for observing dim celestial wonders.
- Naked-eye visibility: the New Moon is not visible to the naked eye-its unlit side faces Earth, and it’s too close to the Sun in the sky to be seen.
- Telescope Tip: while you can’t observe the New Moon itself, this is the best lunar phase for telescope users to explore deep-sky objects-star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies-without interference from moonlight.
- Astrophotography Tip: new Moon nights are a gift for astrophotographers. Capture the Milky Way, faint nebulae, or long-exposure star trails. With no lunar glare, your camera will pick up more detail and subtle colors in the night sky-just be sure to use a sturdy tripod and long exposures for best results.
Fun Fact
The New Moon is the only lunar phase that can produce a solar eclipse – when the Moon’s shadow falls on Earth, briefly turning day into night. While no eclipse occurs this month, every New Moon is a reminder of this rare cosmic alignment.
28-29 May: Manhattanhenge
As the sun dips toward the horizon on 28-29 May, New York City transforms into a modern-day Stonehenge, drawing crowds and cameras to its bustling streets for the legendary Manhattanhenge. For a few magical minutes, the setting sun aligns perfectly with Manhattan’s east-west grid, turning the city’s concrete canyons into glowing corridors of light and shadow. It’s a spectacle that stops traffic, sparks awe, and reminds even the most hurried New Yorker to look up and marvel at the cosmic choreography unfolding overhead.
Stargazer’s Glossary
There are two types of Manhattanhange you can witness: full-sun and half-sun. The first one occurs when the entire disk of the sun appears above the horizon, centered on the grid. Half-sun Manhattanhenge means half the sun’s disk is visible above the horizon, with the other half obscured.
RELATED: Manhattanhenge 2025: When And How To See The Most Anticipated Sunset And Sunrise In NYC
How & When To Watch?
- Best time & place: In 2025, Manhattanhenge’s main events are:
Half-sun: 28 May (8:13 p.m. ET) and 12 July (8:22 p.m. ET)
Full-sun: 29 May (8:12 p.m. ET) and 11 July(8:20 p.m. ET)Arrive 20–30 minutes before sunset to claim a spot on major cross streets like 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, or 57th. For the most iconic views, position yourself as far east as possible with a clear line of sight across the Hudson River toward New Jersey.
- Astrophotography tip: Bring a tripod and experiment with both wide-angle and telephoto lenses. Use a small aperture (f/11 or higher) for a sunburst effect, and shoot in RAW for maximum editing flexibility. Arrive early to scout your composition, and try bracketing exposures to balance the bright sun with city shadows.
Fun Fact
Manhattanhenge owes its existence to the city’s street grid, which is rotated 29 degrees from true east-west-a quirk that lets the sun align with the avenues only four times each year. The phenomenon was popularized by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, and its winter counterpart, “Reverse Manhattanhenge,” occurs at sunrise in January and November.
29 May: Arietid Meteor Shower Begins
As May draws to a close, the sky quietly sets the stage for one of its most elusive spectacles: the Arietid meteor shower, which begins on 29 May and peaks on 7 June. This isn’t your typical midnight meteor show – the Arietids are a rare breed, known as the most active daytime meteor shower, with their peak performance often hidden by the rising sun.
Stargazer’s Glossary
Daytime Meteor Shower is meteor shower whose peak activity occurs after sunrise, making most meteors invisible to the naked eye. The Arietids are the brightest of these, with only their earliest streaks visible in the pre-dawn hours.
How & When To Watch?
- Best Time: set your alarm for the hour before astronomical twilight begins-when the sky is still dark, but the radiant has just risen. This narrow window, right before dawn, is your best shot at catching Arietid meteors.
- Naked-eye visibility: you won’t need a telescope – just your eyes and a clear view of the eastern horizon. The Arietids can produce up to 60 meteors per hour (and possibly more, according to radar), but most are lost to daylight. Expect to see a handful of swift, bright meteors streaking away from Aries if you’re lucky and skies are clear.
- Astrophotography tip: Mount your camera on a tripod with a wide-angle lens, point it east, and take long exposures during the last hour of darkness.
Fun Fact
The Arietids are thought to originate from the mysterious comet 96P/Machholz, and while most of their meteors go unseen in daylight, radio and radar detectors reveal that this shower is actually one of the most prolific of the year, sometimes producing over 200 meteors per hour.
31 May: Venus at Greatest Western Elongation
At the end of the month, early risers are in for a celestial treat as Venus reaches its greatest western elongation-its farthest separation from the Sun in the morning sky. This is when the planet earns its “morning star” title.
Stargazer’s Glossary
Greatest western elongation is the point in Venus’s orbit when it appears farthest west of the Sun from Earth’s perspective, rising well before sunrise and shining brightly in the predawn sky.
How & When To Watch?
- Best Time: Look east in the hour or two before sunrise on 31 May. Venus will be unmistakable – a brilliant point of light, far brighter than any star, about 46 degrees away from the Sun. Its altitude will be around 20–22° above the horizon at sunrise in mid-northern latitudes, making it easy to spot even from urban locations.
- Naked-eye Visibility: Venus is the third-brightest object in the sky after the Sun and Moon easily visible to the naked eye, even in light-polluted cities.
- Telescope Tip: Through a small telescope, Venus will show a striking “half-moon” or dichotomy phase, about 49% illuminated and 23.9 arcseconds across. Use a moon or colored filter to reduce glare and boost contrast, and never point your telescope near the Sun after sunrise. Binoculars will also enhance the view.
- Astrophotography Tip: Capture Venus with a telephoto lens or even a smartphone on a tripod. Frame the planet against a twilight landscape or city skyline for dramatic effect. Use short exposures to avoid overexposing Venus’s bright disk.
Fun Fact
Venus’ greatest elongations repeat about every 19 months, alternating between morning and evening skies. At its brightest, Venus can cast faint shadows and is sometimes visible in broad daylight if you know where to look.
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