Astronomical Events in May 2025: Moon Meets Planets, Meteors, Asteroid & More
The night sky in May is filled with exciting events, from dazzling shooting stars to eye-catching encounters between the Moon, planets, and stars, topped off with the Full Flower Moon. Discover all the best celestial events of the month! For easy navigation and to enhance your stargazing experience, use the free astronomy app Sky Tonight.
Contents
- Astronomical events in May 2025
- Moon events in May 2025
- Planets in May 2025
- Constellations in May 2025
- Asteroids in May 2025 – Vesta at opposition
- Comets in May 2025
- Meteor Showers in May 2025
- How to see astronomical events in May 2025?
- May Celestial Events: Bottom Line
Astronomical events in May 2025
The event dates given further are in GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), and the exact dates vary for different locations. You can learn the exact info for your location from the Sky Tonight app.
- May 1: Saturn (mag 1.0) near Ceres (mag 9.3)
- May 2: Moon near Pollux (mag 1.2); Neptune (mag 7.9) near Venus (mag -4.7); Asteroid 4 Vesta (mag 5.7) at opposition 🌟;
- May 4: First Quarter Moon; Moon near Mars (mag 1.0) and the Beehive Cluster (mag 3.1) 🌟;
- May 5: Eta Aquarids’ peak (ZHR = 50) 🌟; Moon near Regulus (mag 1.4); Mars (mag 1.0) near the Beehive Cluster (mag 3.1);
- May 6: Equinox on Saturn 🌟;
- May 9: Asteroid 9 Metis (mag 9.7) at opposition;
- May 10: Lunar occultation of Spica (mag 1.0); Eta Lyrids’ peak (ZHR = 3); Neptune (mag 7.9) near Ceres (mag 9.3);
- May 12: Full Moon 🌟;
- May 14: Lunar occultation of Antares (mag 1.1);
- May 18: Uranus at solar conjunction;
- May 20: Last Quarter Moon;
- May 22: Moon near Saturn (mag 1.2), Neptune (mag 7.9) 🌟;
- May 23: Moon near Venus (mag -4.5) 🌟;
- May 24: Mercury near Uranus (mag 5.8);
- May 26: Mercury (mag -1.9) near the Pleiades (mag 1.2); Moon near Mercury (mag -1.9), Uranus (mag 5.8);
- May 27: New Moon; Moon near Aldebaran (mag 0.9);
- May 28: Moon near Jupiter (mag -1.9);
- May 30: Moon near Pollux (mag 1.2); Mercury at superior solar conjunction;
- May 31: Moon near the Beehive Cluster (mag 3.1).
*The highlighted events are the most interesting events of the month.
About magnitude: the faintest magnitude for stars and planets visible to the naked eye in cities with moderate light pollution is about 4. The limiting magnitude of an optical device depends on its specification but rarely exceeds 11.
Moon events in May 2025
May Moon phases 2025
- First Quarter Moon: May 4, 13:52 GMT
- Full Moon: May 12, 16:56 GMT
- Last Quarter Moon: May 20, 11:59 GMT
- New Moon: May 27, 03:02 GMT
Did you know? While the Full Moon is a stunning sight on its own, the best time to view the Moon through a telescope or binoculars is during its quarter phases! At these times, the Moon isn't overly bright, and the shadows cast across its surface reveal more detail.
Moon near Mars and the Beehive Cluster on May 4
- Moon-Mars conjunction time: 00:26 GMT
- Moon-Mars conjunction distance: 1°58'
- Moon-Beehive conjunction time: 00:14 GMT
- Moon-Beehive conjunction distance: 2°45'
Probably the most beautiful conjunctions of the month will take place on the night of May 3 to 4. The Moon (44% illuminated) will pass close to Mars (mag 1.0), and the Beehive Cluster (mag 3.1) will join the view. The conjunctions will take place in the constellation Cancer.
The Moon will be in its first quarter phase, which is bright enough but still lets you see the dim stars of the Beehive Cluster. Although the Moon, Mars, and the cluster will be at their closest at different times of the night, you will be able to see them all close together. Use the Sky Tonight app to find the best time to view the scene from your location. It's also a great opportunity to take a photo of the night sky!
Those living in the eastern U.S. and Canada will have another bonus: the Moon will occult the star Asellus Borealis (4.7 mag). This event will be visible with binoculars. The Moon will hide Asellus Borealis for only a few minutes, and the time of the event will depend on your location. To find out the exact time in your city, check out the Moon's trajectory on the night of May 3-4 in Sky Tonight.
Flower Full Moon on May 12 – the last Micromoon of 2025
The Full Moon will occur on May 12 at 16:56 GMT. But you don't have to wait for the exact time: the Moon will appear bright and full for about a night before and after.
This Full Moon is traditionally known as the Flower Moon, named for the blooming season in the Northern Hemisphere. While there are, of course, no flowers on the Moon itself, the name reflects the natural beauty of springtime on Earth.
It's also a Micromoon, which means it occurs when the Moon is near apogee, its farthest point from Earth. As a result, the lunar disk will appear about 10% fainter and 2% smaller than an average Full Moon. Still, the difference is subtle – most people won't notice it, and it certainly won't take away from the magic of Moon watching.
Read more: May Full Moon 2025
Moon near Venus, Saturn & Neptune on May 22-23
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Moon-Saturn conjunction: 2°49' apart on May 22 at 17:45 GMT
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Moon-Neptune conjunction: 1°53' apart on May 22 at 20:55 GMT
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Moon-Venus conjunction: 3°81' apart on May 23 at 23:25 GMT
On May 22–23, enjoy a beautiful pre-dawn sky show as the 22% illuminated crescent Moon meets Saturn, Neptune, and Venus in the constellation Pisces. Saturn (mag 1.1) and Venus (mag -4.5) will be visible to the naked eye. Neptune, at a magnitude of 7.9, is much fainter and requires binoculars, but it will be closest to the Moon, offering a chance to see both in the same binocular field. Look toward the eastern horizon before sunrise to catch this celestial lineup.
Learn more: What Planet Is Next To The Moon Tonight?
New Moon on May 27
The New Moon will occur on May 27 at 03:02 GMT. On this night, you can enjoy the darkest skies of the month.
With no moonlight to interfere, it's a great opportunity to explore deep-sky objects. Use binoculars to spot the Carina Nebula (Northern Hemisphere) or the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy (Southern Hemisphere). No equipment? No problem! The star-filled sky is a treat in itself – and under dark skies, you might catch a glimpse of elusive planets like Mercury, Saturn, or even Uranus.
Read more: Deep-Sky Objects In May
Planets in May 2025
Planets visible in the Northern Hemisphere – May 2025
Mercury: Visible in the northeastern morning sky in early May, low above the horizon at dusk. As the month progresses, Mercury moves through the constellations Pisces to Aries, but becomes increasingly difficult to see as it approaches the Sun. By mid-May, it disappears into the Sun's glare, and on May 30, it reaches a superior conjunction with the Sun. During May, Mercury's brightness increases from magnitude 0 to magnitude -2.4, but the planet's visibility decreases.
Venus: Visible on the eastern horizon in the morning sky as a breathtaking sight throughout May. Venus continues to move away from the Sun, improving its visibility each day as it approaches its maximum elongation on June 1. It spends the entire month in Pisces, fading from a magnitude of -4.7 to -4.4 towards the end of May.
Mars: Moves from the constellation Cancer to Leo in the evening sky. Although its brightness continues to decrease (from magnitude 1 to 1.3 by the end of May), Mars remains visible as a distinct reddish "star" after sunset.
Jupiter: Visible in the northwestern evening sky, still well-placed for observations. It remains in Taurus throughout the month, with its brightness varying slightly from a magnitude -2.0 to -1.9.
Saturn: Begins the month too close to the Sun, and appears in the eastern morning sky from mid-May, just above the horizon at dawn. Located in Pisces, Saturn gradually moves away from the Sun, dimming only slightly from a magnitude of 1.2 to 1.1. Its visibility window increases, although lengthening daylight hours limit observing time.
Uranus: In early May, Uranus is barely visible in the northwestern evening sky and soon becomes unobservable. It reaches conjunction with the Sun on May 17. By the end of the month, it begins to reappear in the morning sky. The planet spends the month in Taurus, with a steady magnitude of 5.8, and requires binoculars to observe.
Neptune: Stays too close to the Sun in early May, and appears low in the eastern morning sky in mid-May, just above the horizon at twilight. Neptune stays in Pisces at magnitude 7.9 and requires binoculars or a telescope to observe.
Planets visible in the Southern Hemisphere – May 2025
Mercury: Visible in the eastern morning sky during the first half of May. Travels through Pisces and Aries, and becomes hidden in the sunrise glow by mid-month. The planet reaches a superior conjunction with the Sun on May 30. Mercury’s brightness increases from magnitude 0 to magnitude -2.4, but the planet's visibility decreases.
Venus: Shins high in the northeastern morning sky and becomes more prominent throughout the month as it moves farther from the Sun, approaching its maximum elongation on June 1. Venus stays in Pisces, fading from a magnitude of -4.7 to -4.4 towards the end of May.
Mars: Visible in the evening sky, moving from Cancer into Leo. Though its brightness decreases slightly (from a magnitude of 1.1 to 1.3), it still stands out as a prominent reddish “star” after sunset.
Jupiter: Visible in the northwestern sky after sunset, still well-placed for observations. Jupiter stays in Taurus throughout the month, with its brightness varying slightly from a magnitude -2.0 to -1.9.
Saturn: Visible high in the northeastern morning sky. Saturn's visibility improves throughout May, as it moves farther from the Sun. It stays in Pisces and maintains a magnitude of 1.1, dimming only slightly from a magnitude of 1.2 to 1.1.
Uranus: Appears in the evening twilight early in May, but soon becomes lost in the Sun's glow. Uranus reaches conjunction with the Sun on May 17. By late May, it begins to emerge in the morning sky. The planet is visible in Taurus with a magnitude of 5.7, and requires binoculars for observation.
Neptune: Starts the month too close to the Sun, and appears low on the eastern horizon before sunrise in mid-May. Neptune stays in Pisces, shining faintly at magnitude 7.9, viewed with binoculars or a telescope.
Equinox on Saturn on May 6
Think equinoxes only happen on Earth? Think again! On May 5-6, Saturn will reach its Northern Hemisphere's fall equinox, a rare event that occurs only once every 15 years. This is just one of the many fascinating things about the Ringed Planet. To discover more fun facts and test what you already know, try our Saturn quiz.
For observers with telescopes, the Saturn equinox is an exciting event. Equinoxes on Saturn can reveal unusual atmospheric features and changes in the colors of the multiple bands of the planet.
One of the most striking effects of the equinox is that Saturn’s rings appear almost edge-on from our point of view. While they were perfectly edge-on back on March 23–24, Saturn was too close to the Sun for safe viewing. This time, the planet is well-positioned in the morning sky, offering a much better chance to observe this rare event.
Read more: Saturn: The Ringed Planet
Constellations in May 2025
May is a great month for stargazing, with many bright constellations visible in both hemispheres. In the Northern Hemisphere, look for Libra, Virgo, and Leo, shining high in the evening sky, with Spica and Regulus as their brightest stars. Cancer, Gemini, and Auriga are setting earlier but still visible after sunset. Look for their standout stars, Pollux and Capella. Along the southern horizon, constellations such as Hydra, Corvus, Crater, Canis Minor, and Antlia can be seen.
In the Southern Hemisphere, Monoceros, Canis Minor, Hydra, Crater, and Corvus are well-placed in the evening sky. The constellations Scorpius with red Antares, Libra, Virgo with Spica, and Leo with Regulus are prominent, too. You can also spot Bootes, home to Arcturus, as well as trickier constellations like Coma Berenices and Leo Minor.
Learn more: May Stars And Constellations
Asteroids in May 2025 – Vesta at opposition
The best time to observe asteroids is during their opposition to the Sun, when they are brightest and visible all night. On May 2, asteroid 4 Vesta reaches opposition, shining at a magnitude of 5.7 — just bright enough to be seen with the naked eye under dark skies. However, finding Vesta without help can be tricky, so we recommend using the Sky Tonight app: type “Vesta” in the search, tap the blue target icon, and point your device at the sky. Follow the white arrow to locate Vesta in the constellation Libra. If your sky conditions are less than perfect, we recommend using binoculars for a better chance of spotting the asteroid.
4 Vesta is one of the largest bodies in the Asteroid Belt, with a diameter of about 525 kilometers (326 miles). It is considered the second-largest asteroid after Ceres and is the brightest asteroid visible from Earth.
Learn more: What Is Opposition In Astronomy?
Comets in May 2025
The most promising comet of May should have been Comet C/2025 F2 (SWAN), reaching the perihelion and closest approach to Earth on May 1. Around this time, it was expected to brighten to about magnitude 5, making it easy to spot with binoculars. However, it most certainly disintegrated on April 16. There is still a chance to observe the comet’s remnants, but their brightness and visibility are uncertain. If you want to try your luck, look for the comet low in the northeastern sky just after sunset using binoculars or a telescope.
A possible target for telescope owners this month is C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan- ATLAS) with a magnitude of 12. The comet is visible from local midnight to dawn, passing in front of the constellation Vulpecula.
Learn more: Comets 2025
Meteor Showers in May 2025
There are two notable meteor showers in May 2025: the Eta-Aquariids, which peak on May 5-6, and the Eta-Lyrids, which peak on May 10.
The strong Eta Aquariids typically produce up to 50 meteors per hour at their peak. While they are best viewed from the Southern Hemisphere, people in some northern areas can also see them. In 2025, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower is expected to peak on May 6 at 03:00 GMT, two days after the First Quarter Moon. Although the Moon will be 72% illuminated, it will set by dawn, leaving the morning sky dark and free of moonlight.
In contrast, the Eta Lyrids are much weaker, with a maximum of about 3 meteors per hour during their peak. The New Moon on May 8 will provide optimal viewing conditions. The radiant point of this meteor shower will be above the horizon all night, making it accessible to observers in the Northern Hemisphere.
Learn more: Meteor Shower Calendar for March-June.
How to see astronomical events in May 2025?
Use the Sky Tonight app to easily explore the night sky and keep track of all the celestial events mentioned.
Sky Tonight offers one of the largest free databases of celestial objects among stargazing apps! You can discover galaxies, comets, asteroids, and other celestial bodies without having to purchase additional content.
To learn how to get the most out of the app, watch our short video tutorials.
May Celestial Events: Bottom Line
This May, enjoy a sky full of wonders — admire bright constellations, snap photos of the Moon alongside stars and planets, spot asteroid Vesta at its brightest, catch the Eta Aquariid meteors, and try to see the subtle size difference of the May Micromoon. And there is much more! For a smooth and fun stargazing experience, download the free Sky Tonight app — your all-in-one guide to the night sky.
Wishing you clear skies and happy stargazing!
