What Can Be Seen This Month
MAY
Lots of good things to see in the night sky this month. The darker skies and cooler weather are great for astronomy – and our sessions are starting earlier (see www.westernsydneystargazing.com.au for details). Mars is still visible in the west at the start of our sessions across the month. The Constellation of Orion is still dominant in the west with its beautiful nebula and young stars. To the South, the Southern Cross is high in the sky and it will be a great time to see nearby clusters such as the Jewelbox and Omega Centauri, and nebulae such as Eta Carina.
MOON
PLANETS
Mercury - will not be visible during observing sessions across the month
Venus - will not be visible during observing sessions across the month
Mars – will be visible during observing sessions across the month
Jupiter – will not be visible during observing sessions across the month
Saturn - will not be visible during observing sessions across the month
Uranus – will not be visible during observing sessions across the month
Neptune - will not be visible during observing sessions across the month
PROMINENT CONSTELLATIONS
Gemini, Cancer, Leo, and Virgo are visible across the month
Scorpio is rising at the start of our sessions with the bright red star Antares and a number of bright clusters
Orion is visible – containing the stars Rigel, Betelgeuse, and the Orion nebula (M42)
The Southern Cross is visible across the month
PROMINENT TARGETS
Orion Nebula (M42) – a cloud of glowing gas, 1500 light years away, but visible to the naked eye
Alpha Centauri – a dominant binary star system in the southern sky
Eta Carina Nebula (NGC3372) – remains of a star that exploded in the 19th century
The Large Magellanic Cloud – a dwarf satellite galaxy containing 20 billion stars
The Jewel Box (NGC4755) – a beautiful cluster of 100 young red and blue stars 6,400 light-years away
Omega Centauri (NGC5139) – a globular cluster of 10 million stars 17,000 light-years away
Week of May 27: New Moon. Not visible during observing sessions
Week of May 4: First Quarter Moon. Visible during observing sessions
Week of May 13: Full Moon. Visible during observing sessions
Week of May 20: Third Quarter Moon. Not visible during observing sessions