Embark on a journey into the depths of house with stargazing this Might 2024. Put together to witness celestial marvels as asteroid 2 Pallas and Comet 46P/Wirtanen take heart stage. Be part of us as we discover the wonders of the universe unfolding earlier than our eyes.
Would you wish to be notified of stargazing occasions?
Checklist of Meteor Showers in Might 2024
- Antihelion Supply: Begin on December 10; a number of peaks; finish September 10.
- η-Aquariids: Begin on April 19; peak on Might 5; finish on Might 28.
- η-Lyrids: Begin on Might 3; peak on Might 8; finish on Might 14.
- τ-Herculids: Begin on Might 25; peak on Might 31; finish on June 4.
- Daytime Arietids: Begin on Might 14; peak on June 7; finish on June 24.
We even have an entire record of meteor showers for your complete 12 months of 2024 right here.
Checklist of Planetary Conjunctions in Might 2024
- Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn in Aquarius on Might 3.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mars in Pisces on Might 5.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury in Pisces on Might 6.
- Conjunction of Mercury and Eris in Pisces on Might 14.
- Conjunction of Mercury and Uranus in Taurus on Might 31.
- Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn in Aquarius on Might 31.
Might 3: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon and Saturn might be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 50′ of one another.
Shortly after, the 2 our bodies may also make a detailed strategy (appulse) reaching 44.7 arcminutes from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension.
In some elements Antarctica this distance might be so shut as to result in a lunar occultation of Saturn, that means the Moon will cross in entrance of Saturn thereby hiding it from view quickly.
The 2 celestial our bodies will meet within the constellation of Aquarius with the Moon at obvious magnitude of -10.1 and Saturn at 1.0. The Moon might be a 25 days outdated waning crescent at 18%.
Might 4: Shut strategy of the Moon and Neptune
The Moon and Neptune will make a detailed strategy (appulse) passing inside solely 14.5 arcminutes of one another.
In some elements of the world this distance might be so shut as to result in a lunar occultation of Neptune, that means the Moon will cross in entrance of Neptune thereby hiding it from view quickly. In the event you’re within the japanese coast of Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania and Lord Howe Island, you’re in luck!
Each objects might be within the constellation of Pisces with the Moon being at obvious magnitude -10.7; and Neptune at 7.9. The Moon might be a 26 days outdated waning crescent at 11%.
Might 5: Conjunction of the Moon and Mars
The Moon and Mars might be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 11′ of one another.
Across the identical time, the 2 our bodies may also make a detailed strategy (appulse) reaching 10.3 arcminutes from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension.
In some elements of the world this distance might be so shut as to result in a lunar occultation of Mars, that means the Moon will cross in entrance of Mars thereby hiding it from view quickly. In the event you’re in Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion or the Seychelles, you’re in luck!
Search for the 2 our bodies within the constellation of Pisces. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of the Moon and Neptune.) The Moon might be a really skinny waning crescent (8%) at 27 days outdated, very near new moon – and won’t intrude a lot with stargazing this primary half of Might 2024. Regardless of this, the Moon will nonetheless be at obvious magnitude of -10.5, whereas Mars might be at magnitude 1.1.
Might 5: η-Aquariid meteor bathe peak
The Eta Aquariids are a medium-sized meteor bathe with a median of 40 meteors per hour (ZHR) through the peak if circumstances are ideally suited.
Some meteors can also be noticed between April 19 and Might 28, enriching your stargazing this spring of 2024. They are going to radiate from the constellation of Aquarius, close to the star Eta Aquarii, on the quick pace of 66 km/s on common. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the conjunction of the Moon and Saturn.) The meteors from this bathe originate from Halley’s Comet.
Might 6: Conjunction of the Moon and Mercury
The Moon and Mercury might be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 3°49′ of one another.
The 2 celestial our bodies will meet within the constellation of Pisces with an obvious magnitude of -9.4 for the Moon and 0.6 for Mercury. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the shut strategy of the Moon and Neptune.) The Moon might be a 28 days outdated waning crescent at at mere 2%, solely two days away from a brand new moon.
Might 8: η-Lyrid meteor bathe peak
The Eta Lyrids will peak this Might 2024 with a zenithal hourly price (ZHR) of three meteors if stargazing circumstances are optimum. Happily these circumstances are as near optimum as they get (barring climate) because the Moon might be precisely in its new moon section.
Some meteors can also be noticed between Might 3 and Might 14. They are going to radiate from the constellation of Lyra, on the pace of 43 km/s on common. They originate from particles left by comet C/1983 H1 (IRAS-Araki-Alcock).
Might 8: Mars at perihelion
Throughout its 687-day orbit across the Solar, Mars will attain its perihelion, or closest level to the Solar, at a distance of 1.38 AU.
Mars’ orbit is noticeably elliptical compared to nearly all of planets, which have almost completely round orbits across the Solar with minor variations in distance of only some p.c. Its distance from the Solar fluctuates from 1.38 AU to 1.67 AU, which implies that at aphelion, Mars receives 31% much less mild and warmth from the Solar than it does at perihelion.
Might 9: Mercury at best western elongation
Mercury might be at its highest level above the horizon within the morning sky, making it the very best time to view the planet. Search for it low within the japanese sky simply earlier than dawn.
It will likely be at obvious magnitude 0.4 within the constellation of Pisces. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the shut strategy of the Moon and Neptune.) The Moon won’t intrude as will probably be solely sooner or later outdated, a really skinny waxing crescent at 6%.
Might 11: Messier 5 cluster at its highest level within the sky
Messier 5 (also called M5, NGC 5904, or the Rose Cluster) is a globular star cluster situated within the constellation of Serpens Caput. It was found by the German astronomer Gottfried Kirch in 1702 and later included in Charles Messier’s catalog of comet-like objects.
At obvious magnitude 5.7, M5 is definitely seen with binoculars. The Moon might be a 3 days outdated waxing crescent at 21%.
Might 14: Conjunction of Mercury and Eris
Mercury and dwarf planet Eris (designated as 136199 Eris within the minor planets catalog) might be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 8°07′ of one another.
Mercury might be at obvious magnitude 0.2 of within the constellation of Pisces, whereas Eris might be at magnitude 18.7 within the neighboring constellation of Cetus. The Moon might be a 6 days outdated waxing crescent at 44% so it could intrude a bit with observations, particularly of very dim Eris which would require a big telescope.
Might 17: Asteroid 2 Pallas at opposition
Asteroid 2 Pallas will attain opposition, when it lies reverse to the Solar within the sky. It is going to attain the very best level within the sky round midnight native time.
On this event, the asteroid Pallas will cross inside 2.163 AU of Earth and attain a peak brightness of obvious magnitude 9.0. Sadly even on the peak, this asteroid might be too faint to watch with the bare eye. You’ll need a minimum of a 4 inch telescope, which you must level in direction of the constellation of Hercules. The Moon might be 9 days outdated waxing gibbous at 71% so might intrude with observations considerably.
Pallas is a big asteroid of the principle belt at imply diameter of 513 km. It’s the third-largest asteroid in the entire Photo voltaic System by each mass and quantity. It orbits the Solar at a semi-major axis of two.77 AU. (Supply: NASA JPL Small-Body Database Lookup for 2 Pallas.)
Might 19: Comet 46P/Wirtanen at perihelion
The comet 46P/Wirtanen (see featured picture on the prime of the article) will attain perihelion, that means it’s going to attain the closest level in its orbit to the Solar at a distance of 1.05 AU. It is going to have an obvious magnitude of 10.5, so a telescope can be required to watch this small short-period comet. Look within the constellation of Taurus. The Moon might be 11 days outdated waxing gibbous at 87%.
Might 28: Messier 4 at its highest level within the sky
Messier 4 (also called M4, NGC 6121 or the Spider Globular Cluster) was found by Swiss astronomer Philippe Loys de Chéseaux in 1745 and cataloged by Charles Messier. It’s situated within the constellation of Scorpius, 6033 light-years away, making it the closest globular cluster to us.
The cluster will attain its highest level within the sky at round midnight native time. It is going to attain obvious magnitude 5.4, which implies you want a minimum of a pair of binoculars or a small telescope. The Moon might be 20 days outdated waning gibbous at 64%.
Might 31: Conjunction of Mercury and Uranus
Mercury and Uranus might be at conjunction by sharing the identical proper ascension and passing inside 1°21′ of one another.
The 2 planets will meet within the constellation of Taurus with an obvious magnitude of -0.7 for Mercury and 5.9 for Uranus. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing comet 46P/Wirtanen at perihelion) The Moon might be a 23 days outdated waning crescent at 40%.
As Mercury is near the Solar within the sky, watch out when observing this conjunction to by no means level binoculars or a telescope straight on the Solar. This may end up in critical eye accidents and even everlasting blindness.
Might 31: Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn
The Moon and Saturn will attain conjunction passing inside 22′ of one another whereas sharing the identical proper ascension.
At across the identical time the 2 our bodies may also make a detailed strategy (appulse) reaching 20.2 arcminutes from one another, however not sharing the identical proper ascension. In some elements of the world this distance might be so shut as to result in a lunar occultation of Saturn, that means the Moon will cross in entrance of Saturn thereby hiding it from view quickly. In the event you’re in Argentina, Chile, southern Brazil and Uruguay, you’re in luck!
The Moon might be at obvious magnitude -11.8 and Saturn at magnitude 0.9 each within the constellation of Aquarius. (Constellation map already displayed above, when discussing the Conjunction of the Moon and Saturn.) The Moon might be a 23 days outdated waning crescent at 37%.
Might 31: τ-Herculid meteor bathe peak
The Tau Herculids will peak this Might 2024 with a zenithal hourly price of 10 meteors if stargazing circumstances are optimum. Some meteors can also be noticed between Might 25 and June 4.
When initially found in 1930, the meteors have been radiating from the constellation of Hercules, close to the star Tau Herculis. That has since modified. First the guardian physique of this meteor bathe, comet 73P/Schwassmann–Wachmann, broke up into 69 identified bigger fragments in 1995. Then the meteor streams skilled orbital perturbations by Jupiter. As a consequence of all this, the radiant level of this meteor bathe has moved to close the star Arcturus within the constellation Boötes.
The meteors will transfer on the gradual pace of 16 km/s on common. The Moon might be a 23 days outdated waning crescent at 37%.
Moon Phases in Might 2024
As , the Moon has a big effect on the visibility of celestial our bodies and astronomical occasions within the night time sky. So that can assist you with stargazing, right here’s a calendar of the phases of Moon for this month of Might 2024:
Positions of the Planets in Might 2024
Mercury: The closest planet to the Solar could be seen at daybreak and nightfall travelling throughout the constellation of Pisces. This planet, being the closest to the Solar, will seem to maneuver shortly within the night time sky and its place will change within the following weeks.
Venus: The sister planet could be seen travelling throughout the constellation of Aries. Identical to Mercury, Venus can solely be seen at daybreak and nightfall.
Mars: The crimson planet could be seen within the constellation of Pisces.
Jupiter: The fuel big is seen within the constellation of Taurus. Jupiter can simply be noticed with the bare eye, even in extremely illuminated cities.
Saturn: The ringed big could be seen with the bare eye within the constellation of Aquarius.
Uranus: The ice big could be seen within the constellation of Aries with using a telescope.
Neptune: The blue big requires a telescope pointed within the constellation of Pisces with the intention to be seen.
Positions of Dwarf Planets and Massive Asteroids in Might 2024
Ceres: The asteroid belt’s lone dwarf planet could be seen within the constellation of Sagittarius with the assistance of a telescope.
Vesta: This massive asteroid could be seen within the constellation of Gemini with a telescope.
Pallas: The asteroid could be noticed with a telescope within the constellation of Hercules.
Pluto: This distant dwarf planet could be discovered within the constellation of Capricornus with the assistance of a big telescope.
Main astronomical occasions subsequent month – June 2024
- June 3: Asteroid 43 Ariadne at opposition.
- June 7: Daytime Arietid meteor bathe peak.
- June 11: Comet 154P/Brewington at perihelion.
- June 20: June solstice.
- June 27: June Bootid meteor bathe peak.
- June 28: Asteroid 42 Isis at opposition.
- June 30: Comet 13P/Olbers at perihelion.
Conclusion
Might 2024 presents a celestial extravaganza with a various array of meteor showers, planetary conjunctions, and stargazing occasions. From the opposition of asteroid 2 Pallas to the perihelion passage of Comet 46P/Wirtanen, stargazers have ample alternatives to witness the great thing about the cosmos.
So, mark your calendars and don’t neglect to subscribe to our e-newsletter under to obtain our stargazing calendar in your mailbox. Pleased stargazing!
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