Astronomical Events in May 2026: What to See in the Sky This Month
Framed by two Full Moons, May 2026 has a character of its own. The month opens with the Flower Moon, closes with a rare Blue Moon, and in between offers a beautiful Venus-Jupiter-Moon grouping in Gemini, one of the best meteor showers of the year, and even Manhattanhenge for NYC skywatchers. To explore all these events in more detail and see how they look from your location, use the Sky Tonight app.
Contents
- Best Astronomical Events in May 2026
- Astronomical events in May 2026: complete calendar
- Moon Events in May 2026
- Planets Visible in May 2026
- Meteor Showers in May 2026
- Constellations in May 2026
- Deep-sky Objects in May 2026: Galaxy Season Is Winding Down
- Comet in May 2026: PanSTARRS Is Still Worth a Look
- One More Sky Event to See in May: Manhattanhenge 2026
- Astronomical events in May 2026: frequently asked questions
- Space-related dates in May 2026
- Astronomical Events In May 2026: Roundup
Best Astronomical Events in May 2026
- May 1 — Full Flower Moon: May opens with the Flower Moon. It will also be a Micromoon, so it may look just a little smaller than a typical Full Moon.
- May 6 — Eta Aquariids meteor shower peak: One of the year’s biggest meteor showers in the Southern Hemisphere reaches its maximum activity, sending up to 50 meteors per hour across the sky.
- May 20 — Venus, Jupiter, and the Moon in Gemini: The thin crescent Moon joins dazzling Venus and Jupiter in Gemini for a beautiful evening scene. Venus will also sit near the open star cluster M35, making this patch of sky especially fun to explore.
- May 31 — Full Blue Moon: May ends with a rare Blue Moon — the second Full Moon in a single calendar month. This Full Moon will also be the smallest one of 2026.
Astronomical events in May 2026: complete calendar
Here are all the major astronomical events taking place in May 2026. The Visibility column shows how easy each event is to observe:
- 🟢 Good — easy to spot under normal conditions
- 🟡 Moderate — visible, but may require some experience or optical aid
- 🔴 Very poor — difficult to observe because of poor viewing conditions
- ⚫ Not visible — not observable
Click on any event to open a separate article about it. To see how each event will look from your exact location and get the precise local time, check it in the Sky Tonight app.
Moon Events in May 2026
Let’s take a look at what the Moon has in store for us in May 2026 — and this month is an unusual one, with two Full Moons instead of just one.
Moon phases in May 2026
Here are the main Moon phases in May 2026:
- Full Moon: May 1, 17:23 GMT (13:23 EDT)
- Last Quarter Moon: May 9, 21:10 GMT (17:10 EDT)
- New Moon: May 16, 20:01 GMT (16:01 EDT)
- First Quarter Moon: May 23, 11:11 GMT (07:11 EDT)
- Full Moon: May 31, 08:45 GMT (04:45 EDT)
If you want to check the Moon phase for any date, as well as the Moon’s rise and set times for your location, take a look at the Lunar Calendar on our website.
Full Flower Moon on May 1: the first Full Moon of the month
The first Full Moon of May 2026, known as the Flower Moon, peaks on May 1. Its name comes from the season of abundant spring blooming in the Northern Hemisphere.
This Full Moon will also be a Micromoon, so it may look slightly smaller than usual, although the difference will be subtle to the naked eye. You’ll find it in Libra.
Learn more: Flower Moon in May 2026
New Moon on May 16: best dark-sky night
On May 16, 2026, the Moon will reach its new phase, creating the darkest skies of the month. The period from May 15 to 19 will be especially favorable for observing and photographing faint deep-sky targets such as galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters, as moonlight will hardly interfere. As a bonus, the New Moon falls on a weekend for many observers, making it a great opportunity for a stargazing outing.
Full Blue Moon on May 31: the second Full Moon of the month
The second Full Moon of May 2026 peaks on May 31. Because it’s the second Full Moon in one calendar month, it’s called a Blue Moon — though it won’t actually look blue. This time, the Moon will appear in Scorpius, near the bright reddish star Antares.
This Blue Moon will also be a Micromoon and the smallest Full Moon of 2026. It will still look bright and beautiful — just a little smaller than an average Full Moon.
Learn more: Blue Moon in May 2026
Planets Visible in May 2026
The planets in May 2026 are split between the evening and morning sky, with some becoming easier to observe and others fading into the Sun’s glare. Below is a quick guide to where to look for each planet this month in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Planet Visibility in May 2026: Northern Hemisphere
- Mercury (Pisces, Aries, Taurus; mag -0.8): Mercury becomes harder and harder to see in the morning sky as it moves closer to the Sun. It reaches conjunction with the Sun on May 14, then begins to move away from it and gradually shifts into the evening sky.
- Venus (Taurus, Gemini; mag -3.9): Venus shines brightly in the evening sky after sunset throughout the month.
- Mars (Pisces, Aries; mag 1.2): Mars is visible low above the horizon in the morning twilight. As the month goes on, it slowly moves farther from the Sun and becomes a bit easier to observe.
- Jupiter (Gemini; mag -2.0 to -1.8): Jupiter remains visible in the evening sky, though it sinks a little lower toward the horizon with each passing day.
- Saturn (Cetus, Pisces; mag 0.9): Saturn can be seen briefly before sunrise in the morning twilight. By the end of the month, the viewing window becomes a little longer.
- Uranus (Taurus; mag 5.8): Uranus is visible for a short time in the evening sky early in the month as it approaches the Sun. After reaching conjunction on May 22, it shifts into the morning sky.
- Neptune (Pisces; mag 7.9): Neptune climbs higher in the pre-dawn sky throughout May, but it remains a telescope-only target.
Planet Visibility in May 2026: Southern Hemisphere
- Mercury (Pisces, Aries, Taurus; mag -0.8): Mercury becomes more difficult to see in the morning sky as it draws closer to the Sun. It reaches conjunction on May 14, then starts moving away from the Sun and gradually reappears in the evening sky.
- Venus (Taurus, Gemini; mag -3.9): At the beginning of the month, Venus appears low in the evening twilight. It gradually climbs a little higher above the horizon, though not dramatically.
- Mars (Pisces, Aries; mag 1.2): Mars is well placed in the pre-dawn sky at the start of the month and becomes even better positioned as it moves farther from the Sun and rises higher above the horizon.
- Jupiter (Gemini; mag -2.0 to -1.8): Jupiter is visible low in the evening sky and gradually sinks even closer to the horizon as the month goes on.
- Saturn (Cetus, Pisces; mag 0.9): Saturn is visible briefly before sunrise in the morning twilight. By the end of May, it stays up longer and becomes easier to catch.
- Uranus (Taurus; mag 5.8): Uranus is visible for a short time in the evening sky early in the month as it nears solar conjunction. After May 22, it moves into the morning sky.
- Neptune (Pisces; mag 7.9): Neptune rises higher in the pre-dawn sky throughout the month, but it can only be seen with a telescope.
Venus and Jupiter put on a show in Gemini on May 20
On May 20, look to Gemini after sunset for a beautiful lineup of bright objects. Venus will glow near M35, an open star cluster, while Jupiter will shine higher up near Pollux. A thin crescent Moon will sit nearby as well.
This event is great for both casual skywatchers and astrophotographers. Venus, Jupiter, Pollux, and the Moon will be easy naked-eye targets, while M35 may also be visible under dark skies, though binoculars will help a lot.
Meteor Showers in May 2026
There are two notable meteor showers in May 2026: 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 2026, the Eta Aquariids peak on May 6, when the waning gibbous Moon will be 83% illuminated, so moonlight will get in the way. Even so, the shower is still worth watching — especially from the Southern Hemisphere — and the view will be better if you can hide the Moon behind a tree, hill, or building.
In contrast, the Eta Lyrids are much weaker, with a maximum of about 3 meteors per hour during their peak. This year, they peak around the Last Quarter Moon, so the sky won’t be perfectly dark. Since the shower is faint to begin with, it’s a good idea to keep the Moon out of view if you want a better chance of spotting a few meteors.
Learn more: Meteor Shower Calendar for March-June.
Constellations in May 2026
The May sky is full of easy-to-spot star patterns, from bright constellations to large shapes made by well-known stars.
Learn more: Best Constellations In May
May Constellations in the Northern Hemisphere
In the Northern Hemisphere, May is a great month for Virgo, Canes Venatici, and Coma Berenices. Virgo is the easiest place to start because of bright Spica, while the other two are fainter but sit in a sky area full of galaxies and star clusters. Corvus is also easy to pick out thanks to its simple four-star shape. On clear evenings, look for the huge Great Diamond asterism, formed by Spica, Arcturus, Denebola, and Cor Caroli.
May Constellations in the Southern Hemisphere
In the Southern Hemisphere, May brings some of the sky’s most striking constellations, including Crux, Centaurus, and Musca. Crux is small but easy to recognize, while Centaurus stands out with many bright stars, including Alpha Centauri. Corvus is visible here too, and on clear nights you can also trace the wide Great Diamond asterism, formed by Spica, Arcturus, Denebola, and Cor Caroli.
Deep-sky Objects in May 2026: Galaxy Season Is Winding Down
May is the last big month of galaxy season in the Northern Hemisphere, so this is a great time to look towards Virgo, Coma Berenices, and Canes Venatici. Some of the best targets include the Sunflower Galaxy, the Black Eye Galaxy, M106, and the Cat’s Eye Galaxy — most of them look like soft, hazy patches in binoculars or small telescopes, while larger scopes reveal more structure. The Iris Nebula is also worth a try under dark skies, though it’s much more demanding and better suited to telescope observers.
Southern Hemisphere observers also get a nice mix of late galaxy season targets, bright nebulae, and globular clusters. One of the best galaxies to look for is Centaurus A (NGC 5128) — a peculiar galaxy in Centaurus and one of the brightest galaxies in the sky. The standout nebula is the Carina Nebula, which is large enough to be seen with the naked eye from dark locations and looks even better through binoculars. The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy is another excellent pick, while M4 and M80 are rewarding and relatively easy globular clusters to observe, even with modest equipment.
Comet in May 2026: PanSTARRS Is Still Worth a Look
The most notable comet in the sky this May is C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS). Its peak brightness will already be behind it, so the comet will gradually fade through the month. Still, it may remain a rewarding target for observers and astrophotographers, especially in the Southern Hemisphere, where viewing conditions are better in late April and early May. By late May, it is expected to fade to about magnitude 9–10, making it mainly a telescopic target rather than an easy binocular object.
Learn more: Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS Visibility Guide
One More Sky Event to See in May: Manhattanhenge 2026
On May 28, New Yorkers will get a chance to see Manhattanhenge — the moment when the setting Sun lines up with Manhattan’s street grid and shines straight down the cross streets. In 2026, Manhattanhenge will be visible on May 28 at 8:14 p.m. ET, when half of the Sun is seen between the buildings, and again on May 29 at 8:13 p.m. ET, when the whole Sun appears in the street grid.
Some of the best places to watch it are 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, and 57th Streets, ideally from a spot as far east as possible with a clear view toward New Jersey across the Hudson River. This is a great event for casual skywatchers, photographers, and anyone who likes the idea of astronomy meeting city life.
Even if you’re not in New York, you may be able to catch a similar sunset alignment where you live — find out how in our article: What Is Manhattanhenge?.
Astronomical events in May 2026: frequently asked questions
What are the biggest astronomical events in May 2026?
May 2026 has several standout sky events. The biggest ones are the Eta Aquariids meteor shower on May 6, the Flower Moon on May 1, and the rare Blue Moon on May 31. Another highlight is the beautiful lineup of Venus, Jupiter, the Moon, and M35 on May 20. In New York, Manhattanhenge on May 28–29 is also a major event.
What is the best meteor shower in May 2026?
The Eta Aquariids are the best meteor shower in May 2026. At their peak, they can produce up to 50 meteors per hour, although moonlight will interfere with viewing this year. For more details on when and how to watch it, see our article on the Eta Aquariids.
When is the Full Moon in May 2026?
There are two Full Moons in May 2026: the first on May 1 at 17:23 GMT (13:23 EDT) and the second on May 31 at 08:45 GMT (04:45 EDT). The first is the Flower Moon, and the second is a rare Blue Moon.
Which planets are visible in May 2026?
In May 2026, Venus and Jupiter are visible in the evening sky, while Mars, Saturn, and Neptune can be seen in the morning sky. Mercury and Uranus are harder to observe because they are close to the Sun for part of the month.
When is the best dark-sky night in May 2026?
The best dark-sky night in May 2026 is around the New Moon on May 16. The nights from May 15 to 19 are especially good for observing faint deep-sky objects. To check the Moon’s illumination for any date and see moonrise and moonset times for your location, use our Lunar Calendar.
How to see astronomical events in May 2026?
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.
Space-related dates in May 2026
To wrap up, here are a few May dates that aren’t about celestial events in the sky, but are still linked to space, astronomy, science fiction, and our curiosity about the Universe.
- May 1 — National Space Day (USA): Celebrated on the first Friday of May, this day is dedicated to space exploration and the wonder of the cosmos. A great excuse to revisit the big question: What Is Space?
- May 3 — Sun Day: Created in 1978 to promote solar energy, this day is also a good excuse to pay attention to the brightest star of our daytime sky. Sounds like the right time to learn some facts about the Sun.
- May 4 — Star Wars Day: This unofficial fan holiday is built around a pun on the phrase “May the Force be with you”, which sounds similar to “May the Fourth be with you”. To celebrate, see if you can tell science fiction apart from real space in our quiz. Spoiler: in reality, no planet has been blown up by a Death Star (yet).
- May 7 — International Day of Planetariums: A day dedicated to planetariums and the way they help people explore and understand the night sky. Visit our article on the International Day of Planetariums and discover how to celebrate it properly.
Astronomical Events In May 2026: Roundup
May 2026 is not the busiest skywatching month of the year, but it gives skywatchers many good reasons to step outside. If you like easy naked-eye events, watch for the Flower Moon on May 1, the Eta Aquariids on May 6, the bright Venus and Jupiter in Gemini on May 20, and the Blue Moon on May 31. If you prefer binocular or telescope targets, May is also a good time to spot galaxies as galaxy season is winding down. The fading comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) is another object worth checking on through the month. And if you happen to be in New York, don’t miss Manhattanhenge on May 28–29. For exact timings and a personalized sky view, check the Sky Tonight app.
