THE SOUTHWORTH PLANETARIUM
70 Falmouth Street      Portland, Maine 04103
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43.6667° N    70.2667° W  Altitude:  10 feet below sea level Founded January 1970
2021-2022: CXIX

              "The finger is needed to know where to look for the moon, but if you mistake the finger for the moon itself, you will never know
the real moon."  -Thich Nhat Hahn


THE DAILY ASTRONOMER
Thursday, May 5, 2022
May 2022 Night Sky Calendar Part III

SUNDAY, MAY 15: FULL MOON
We focused so squarely on the total lunar eclipse, we neglected to discuss the full moon! A perfect example of missing the forest for the stars or the galaxy for the trees. As is true with the other full moons, the name of the May full moon relates to the season. May's full moon is known as the "flower moon," the "corn planting moon," as well as the "hare moon," and the "milk moon." All signs of a rejuvenated lands and the true beginning of spring.

TUESDAY, MAY 17: MOON AT PERIGEE The moon reaches the perigee point today! Perigee is defined as the point of least separation between the moon and Earth. Alas, May's full moon is not considered a SUPER MOON because the perigee point is not as close to the moment of opposition (full moon) as it must be in order for this full moon to qualify as SUPER MOON! This consitutes a perfect example of nit-picking because the timing is only a few hours off and the difference between May's full moon and a bona fide SUPER MOON is so slight as to be wholly unnoticable.

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022: MERCURY AT INFERIOR CONJUNCTION
The first world passes between the Sun and Earth today. However, because Mercury is nowhere near a node, or the intersection point connecting its orbit with Earth's, it will slip invisibily across this interplanetary divide. Only when Mercury happens to be at or close to a node will we see it moving across the Sun, an event called a transit. The next transit of Mercury will occur on November 13, 2032.

SUNDAY, MAY 22: LAST QUARTER MOON

SUNDAY, MAY 22: MOON NEAR SATURN
See the last quarter moon close to Saturn within the constellation Capricornus. Saturn will appear to pass to the north of the moon. Both worlds will rise just before midnight.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25: MOON, MARS AND JUPITER WITHIN A 3.3 DEGREE DIAMETER CIRCLE (GOLD EVENT!!!)
Venture out in the early morning to see the waning crescent moon (23% illuminated) close to Mars and Jupiter. They will all rise by 2:25 a.m. and remain visible until around 5:30 a.m. One has the perfect opportunity to observe three solar system worlds within a small circle in the eastern morning sky.

FRIDAY, MAY 27: MOON NEAR VENUS (SILVER EVENT!!)
Observe the thin waning crescent moon (8% illuminated) close to Venus, the brightest planet. The coupling of Luna and Aphrodite produces one of the most enchantingly beautiful of all celestial sights. Behold them both. They'll rise by 3:40 a.m.

SUNDAY, MAY 29: MARS 0.58 DEGREES SE OF JUPITER (BRONZE EVENT!)
We love our appulses, the "close approaches" between planets. This morning, one will see Mars within less than a degree of Jupiter. An observer will experience little difficulty distinguishing between them as Jupiter (magnitude -2.1) will be thirteen times brighter than Mars (magnitude 0.7). Both worlds will rise by 1:50 a.m. The best time to observe them is between 3 - 5:15 a.m.

MONDAY, MAY 30: NEW MOON
Beginning of lunation cycle 1230


PLANET WATCH
MERCURY
This fast little world flits rapidly between the evening and morning skies. Mercury begins the month as the sole planet in the evening, but by the second week vanishes into the dusk only to return to the early pre-dawn sky by month's end. VERDICT: Mercury watching is a bit tricky this month. Best to wait until next month.

VENUS Host constellation: Pisces
Brilliant, as always, but low in the pre-dawn sky. Even though it outshines all the stars -save the Sun- and planets, we're not going to confer the Pick Planet distinction on it this month because of its low position along the horizon. However, our sister planet remains an easy sight for those who venture outside early. VERDICT: If you're out already before sunrise, look eastward to observe Venus.

MARS Host constellation: Aquarius (month's beginning); Pisces (month's end)
We are eagerly awaiting the red planet's rise to late summer/early autumn prominence. Throughout the year, Mars and Earth are drawing ever closer together. Consequently, Mars will grow brighter until December, when it will be at opposition, i.e. when Earth passes between it at the Sun. Watch Mars becoming brighter and rising earlier throughout the month. VERDICT: Although it doesn't dazzle like Venus or Jupiter, Mars is still conspicously bright and a delight to behold.

JUPITER (PICK PLANET!) Host constellation: Pisces
Brighter than any nightsky star, Jupiter rises after 3:00 a.m. at month's beginning and by 1:45 a.m. at month's end. We'll see Jupiter becoming brighter as it approaches its own opposition on September 26, 2022. VERDICT: A beautiful sight for those who remain awake well after midnight or who rise before the Sun. Of course, you'll have plenty of opportunity to see Jupiter throughout the summer and autumn, even if you give it a miss in May.

SATURN
Host constellation: Capricornus
This month Saturn will rise before midnight as it inches its way to its own oppositon date on August 14th. The ringed planet is as bright as Mars, but much dimmer than Jupiter and Venus. However, the sixth world is still moderately bright. VERDICT: Saturn never dazzles, but can still delight. Seek it out in the late evening/early morning. It will become easier to find this summer as it will rise earlier and grow brighter.


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