The sky is putting on a show this week with dazzling activity from dusk till dawn. On Monday night, the moon cozies up to Regulus, the heart of Leo the Lion, while the Eta-Aquarids meteor shower lights up the pre-dawn hours with dozens of fast, bright meteors. Later in the week, don’t miss the moon sliding past Spica, Virgo’s radiant blue star. Whether you're chasing meteors or enjoying starry close encounters, now’s the time to look up.
Here's what not to miss in this action-packed week above!
After sunset, look east to see the waxing gibbous moon shining near Regulus, the brightest star in Leo. Regulus marks the Lion's heart and appears just to the moon's right. They slowly separate as the night progresses.
The Eta-Aquarids, from Halley's Comet, peak tonight into early Tuesday. While moonlight hides fainter meteors early on, viewing improves after 3 a.m. when the moon sets and Aquarius rises. Expect dozens of fast, bright meteors per hour near dawn.
Look southeast after dusk to find the moon shining close to Spica, Virgo's brightest star. The pair fits in binoculars and gets even closer overnight. In parts of the South Pacific, the moon will actually pass in front of Spica.
The moon grows brighter each night this week as it approaches full phase on Monday, May 12. One of the best nights for moonwatching will be Friday, May 9, when the nearly full moon appears beside the bright star Spica in Virgo. For lucky skywatchers in the South Pacific, the moon will even pass directly in front of Spica in a striking occultation.
Feeling inspired to take a more in-depth moonlit tour of our rocky companion? Our ultimate guide to observing the moon will help you plan your next skywatching venture, whether it be exploring the lunar seas, mountainous terrain, or the many craters that blanket the landscape. You can also see where astronauts, rovers and landers have ventured with our Apollo landing sites observing guide.
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower from late April to mid-May offers a long stretch of spectacular "shooting stars" that even a casual observer can spot in the night sky.
A recent study on ancient Egyptian imagery suggests rare drawings of the sky goddess Nut represent the earliest visualization of the Milky Way galaxy's Great Rift.
Vermont-based astrophotographer Michele Hernandez Bayliss captured this stunning view of Messier 94, also known as the Croc's Eye galaxy, and the famous Whirlpool galaxy (M51) from his backyard observatory at her home in Weybridge, Vermont.
No comments:
Post a Comment