Monday, May 19, 2025

Midnight Moons, Planetary Pairings, and a Venusian Finale

From a crisp third quarter moon to dazzling dawn meetups, the week is full of treasures.
Created for znamenski.spacecom@blogger.com | Web Version
May 19, 2025
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What's Up This Week?
Hello Skywatchers!

This week brings a mix of midnight and pre-dawn delights. It begins with Tuesday's third quarter moon, perfect for deep sky observing in the evenings. Then, early risers are rewarded with graceful planetary meetups: a crescent moon pairs with Saturn and Neptune on Thursday, followed by a stunning trio with Venus joining the scene on Friday. Whether you're a night owl or an early bird, the skies have something special in store.

Here's what to watch for this week.

Clear skies,

Daisy

Reference Editor, Space.com

Tuesday, May 20 — Third Quarter Moon
(Starry Night)
The moon reaches its third quarter phase, rising around midnight and lingering after sunrise. Enjoy dark, moonless evenings ahead — perfect for spotting spring galaxies through binoculars or a telescope.
More Highlights
Thursday, May 22 — Crescent Moon Meets Saturn and Neptune
(Starry Night)
Early risers will see the waning crescent moon near Saturn in the eastern sky. Neptune is nearby, but a tough catch unless you're in southern latitudes with darker skies.
More Highlights
Friday, May 23 — Moon Between Venus and Saturn
(Starry Night)
A stunning trio! The crescent moon shines between Saturn and dazzling Venus before dawn. Try capturing the scene with a scenic foreground. Venus lingers longest as sunrise approaches.
More Highlights
Moon Calendar
Notable Moon Phases This Week

My favorite moon phase to look out for this week will be the third quarter moon on May 20. It will rise around midnight local time and set around midday so you'll be able to catch a glimpse of it in both the night and daytime sky. 

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.
Read More
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