What's up: A Guide to what you can see in the Night Sky - May 2025

It’s May, baby — and the skies are heating up even if the weather’s cooling down. We’ve got planets playing tag at dawn, the Milky Way core rising like a cosmic curtain, and a solid sprinkle of meteors and conjunctions. Whether you’re a wide-field wizard or a deep-sky diva, this month’s sky has something photogenic for everyone.

Moon phases

4 May: First Quarter Moon

At first quarter, one-half of the Waxing Moon appears to be illuminated by the Sun's light, while the other half is in shadow. This is because the Moon is at a 90-degree angle to the Earth and the Sun.

13 May: Micro Full Moon

During a Full Moon, the Moon's surface is completely illuminated by the Sun. This happens because the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, and they are aligned in a straight line. A Micromoon is when a Full Moon or a New Moon happens at the same time as the moon's apogee. Apogee is the point in the Moon's orbit that is farthest away from Earth.

20 May: Last Quarter Moon

At last quarter, one-half of the Waning Moon appears to be illuminated by the Sun's light, while the other half is in shadow.

27 May: New Moon

A new moon is the first lunar phase when the Moon and Sun have the same ecliptic longitude. The Moon is aligned with the Sun and the Earth, and the side of the Moon that faces Earth is in darkness. The new Moon is not visible to the naked eye as it is too close to the Sun’s glare or below the horizon during the day.

Notable Astronomical Events for May

30 April - 8 May: Mars meets the Beehive Cluster

Around 30 April 2025 and into May, Mars will make a close approach to the Beehive Cluster (M44). The pair's closest approach will be in May, appearing about 2° apart in the sky. Towards the end of the month, Mars and the Beehive will gradually move closer together, reaching their closest point at the beginning of May. The reddish glow of Mars will contrast beautifully with the cluster’s faint stars, making for a stunning sight for observers.

Position of Mars and the Beehive Cluster 30 April as seen from SE QLD.

1 May: Lunar Occultation of Beta Tauri

05:38 AEST | 19:38 UTC (30 April)

The Moon plays peekaboo with Beta Tauri (aka Elnath), hiding it completely from view. This celestial hide-and-seek will be visible from parts of South America and West Africa – Brazil, Sierra Leone, Guinea and friends. Sadly, not visible from Australia, but a conjunction between the pair will be more widely visible.

2 May: Planetary Conjunction – Saturn, Neptune & Venus

Early Morning Sky

Three planets walk into a bar... just kidding. But seriously, Saturn, Neptune, and Venus will form a neat little trio in the morning twilight. Neptune’s the sneaky one – too faint for the naked eye – but Venus and Saturn will be easy to spot.

2–6 May: May Librids Meteor Shower

Peak: 6 May

This minor meteor shower dribbles a few meteors (2–6 per hour at peak). Nothing flashy, but it’s an excuse to head out for a night of star gazing.

4 May: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars

Evening Sky

Mars and the Moon get cosy, just 5 degrees apart. Look north to north-west overhead after sunset – the Moon’s glow and Mars’ rust-red shine will be unmistakable.

6 May: Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower

Best after midnight

This is a good one for us Southern Hemisphere stargazers. Thanks to dusty ol’ Halley’s Comet, the Eta Aquariids can pump out up to 60 meteors an hour. The Moon is a bit of a party pooper this year (it’s bright), but it sets just after midnight, so with patience and a dark sky, you’ll still get a good show.

6 May: Saturn’s Equinox

All day

A rare moment where the Sun shines directly over Saturn’s equator. This happens only once every 15 Earth years. Ring shadows will line up perfectly edge-on – a stunning sight for those with telescopes.

Credit: NASA/JPL - Saturn is gradually tilting as part of its orbit. In 2025, Saturn's rings will appear edge-on.

8 May: Eta Lyrid Meteor Shower

Minor shower

Another sprinkle of meteors, this time from the Lyra constellation. Not many (maybe 3–5 per hour), but hey, it's free entertainment!

10 May: Lunar Occultation of Spica

18:06 AEST | 08:06 UTC

The Moon photobombs Spica (Alpha Virginis) for viewers in Oceania, Chile and Antarctica. A stellar event – quite literally – for those lucky enough to see it. A conjunction between the pair will be more widely visible.

14 May: Lunar Occultation of Antares

14:44 AEST | 04:44 UTC

The Moon swipes in front of Antares (Alpha Scorpii), blocking out the heart of the Scorpion. Visible across parts of South America and Antarctica. A conjunction between the pair will be more widely visible.

23 May: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn

Pre-dawn

The waning crescent Moon sidles up close to Saturn. Grab a cuppa and your binoculars – it’s worth the early rise.

24 May: Conjunction of the Moon and Venus

Pre-dawn

Another dawn delight! Venus and the Moon will be dazzling in the east. Great for a quick snap before brekkie.

Credit Stellarium - 24 May conjunction of the Moon and Venus as seen from SE QLD.

31 May: Venus at Greatest Western Elongation

Morning Sky

Venus reaches its highest altitude above the horizon in the pre-dawn sky – the best view we’ll get for a while. Look east before sunrise and thank the cosmos for bright planets.

Planet Watch May 2025

Mercury – Up early and flirting with the Sun. Starts the month in Pisces, crosses into Aries mid-month. Best viewed in the first week, then it disappears into morning twilight.

Venus – The Morning Star steals the show! At a dazzling mag-4.5, you can’t miss her. Look east before dawn all month long.

Mars – Crosses into Leo late in the month. Look west after sunset, especially on 4 May when it dances with the Moon near the Beehive Cluster.

Jupiter – Fading fast in the evening sky. It sets shortly after the Sun by late May. Catch it while you can in the early part of the month.

Saturn – Rising earlier each morning. A telescope treat, especially now we’ve passed through Saturn’s ring plane – rings are edge-on and spectacular! Best seen before sunrise.

May's Best Astrophotography Targets

Eta Carinae & the Carina Nebula (NGC 3372)

High in the south-east after sunset

An absolute show-stopper. Massive star-forming region, bright enough for unfiltered cameras, and jaw-dropping in colour. Still riding high through autumn skies, but catch it before it sinks later in the year.

The Running Chicken Nebula (IC 2944)

Near Lambda Centauri

Fluffy, feathery, and glowing in Ha! This one's a fave for narrowband shooters — full of dark Bok globules (space-chicken eggs, basically).

Centaurus A (NGC 5128)

Best around midnight

A galaxy with a twist — literally. It’s a radio galaxy with a prominent dark dust lane. Looks like a cosmic hamburger. Great target for medium focal lengths. Spend some time imaging with a Ha filter, and you might capture he large stream of emission nebulae jetting out from its centre.